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Miramar Japan Golf & Travel offers introductions to golf courses in Japan, private car hire, hot spring accommodations, and customized travel guides, covering areas such as Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Izu, Kawana, Kyoto, Osaka, Narita, and Tsukuba.
Helping overseas travelers plan a smoother golf vacation in Japan.


The Complete Guide to Mt. Fuji Golf: How a Volcano Determines Where You Play, What You Pay, and How Far Your Ball Flies
Why can Gotemba courses reopen just 2 hours after rain? Why are Mt. Fuji golf courses so expensive? Why does your 7-iron fly 5 yards farther at Lake Kawaguchi? The answers lie in 300,000 years of volcanic activity. Mt. Fuji Golf Course Landscape If you look at a distribution map of golf courses around Mt. Fuji, your first thought might be: Were these courses just randomly scattered? But when you overlay this map with volcanic geology maps, topographic maps, and groundwater sy
8 min read


Discover the Best Onsen Areas in Hakone: A Complete Guide for International Travelers
If you are searching for Hakone onsen , Hakone ryokan recommendations , one night two meals (kaiseki dinner) , or Hakone kaiseki cuisine , this guide will help you understand the differences between Hakone’s major hot spring areas in the most practical way. We also introduce several traditional ryokan with historic architecture , so you can enjoy both authentic Japanese bathing culture and refined kaiseki dining in one unforgettable journey. Luxury traditional Japanese ryokan
5 min read


Japan's legendary golf courses, ranked among the world's top 100: A complete guide to Kawana Golf Course
Kawana Fuji Course coastal cliffs and fairways overlooking Sagami Bay, Izu, Japan
8 min read


Premium Golf Around Narita and Tsukuba: From Tiger’s Winning Course to a Nicklaus-Designed Masterpiece
Tiger and Nicklaus Golf in Japan does not have to mean Mt. Fuji only. For many overseas golfers, Mt. Fuji is the first image that comes to mind. But if you are looking for courses with history, prestige, strong design, and smoother travel logistics, the Narita and Tsukuba area is a route worth looking at seriously. This area includes Narashino Country Club, where Tiger Woods claimed his 82nd PGA TOUR victory, and Ishioka Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus himself. This is n
7 min read


Japan Golf Trip for Couples: When the Husbands Play and the Wives Have Their Own Journey
8 Days | Mt. Fuji · Hakone · Atami · Izu Kawana | 4 Couples | 4 Rounds What does your wife do while you're on the course? It's not a small question. For many couples, it's the reason the trip never gets planned at all. This past May, we arranged a private 8-day journey for four couples from the United States. The husbands played golf. The wives had their own complete sightseeing program every day. Each afternoon, both groups came together — same hotel, same dinner, same eveni
5 min read


Japan Golf Trip, 11 Days | Osaka to Tokyo: Kyoto, Atami, Kawana and Beyond
A Private Golf Journey for Three American Couples Three Chinese-American couples flew in from Los Angeles with their golf bags and one clear goal: a Japan trip where they could actually relax. Not just play a few rounds and move on, but a real vacation — one where everything was taken care of before they landed. No dealing with tee time reservations in Japanese. No dragging golf bags through train stations. No forgettable business hotels at the end of a long day. They wanted
6 min read


Japan Mt. Fuji Golf Trip Cost Guide|5 Days 3 Rounds Around Fujinomiya & Gotemba
Golf around MT.Fuji But once people begin researching seriously, they quickly realize that golf travel in Japan is very different from Southeast Asia. The cost is not just about green fees. Accommodation, private transportation, regional routing, golf course categories, and itinerary structure all play a major role. Especially around Mt. Fuji, golf courses on the east, west, south, and north sides of the mountain offer very different scenery, layouts, travel distances, and pr
6 min read


A Complete Guide to Playing Golf in Japan: Check-In, Dress Code, Lunch Breaks, and Checkout
Most first-timers spend their energy worrying about the course itself — how hard it'll be, whether they need a caddie, how long the drive out takes. But once you actually get there, the course is rarely the problem. The process is. At golf clubs in Japan, your day doesn't start on the first tee. It starts the moment you walk through the clubhouse doors. Dress code, check-in, lockers, lunch, on-site charges, final payment — almost every step has its own system. Know how it wor
5 min read


Japan Golf Course Booking Guide for Overseas Visitors|2B, 3B, Holiday Restrictions and Booking Fees Explained
Many overseas golfers run into the same questions when planning a golf trip to Japan. Why can't I find a booking page for certain courses? Why is a 2-player tee time so difficult to arrange on weekends? And what exactly is a booking service fee? These questions are all connected to how golf course reservations actually work in Japan. This guide covers the most common points of confusion, so you know what to expect before you start planning. Playing Golf In Japan Which Golf Co
6 min read


Playing Golf in Japan for the First Time — Here's What Actually Happens
Playing golf in Japan feels different from what most people expect. It's not complicated, but every part of the day runs on a clear system. Once you know how it works, the whole experience becomes very smooth. This guide walks you through the entire day, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. Golf Club Check-in counter When You Arrive at the Course Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your tee time. As soon as you pull up, staff will take your golf bag at the e
4 min read


Waiting for Twenty-One People: Why I Wrote This Book About Mt. Fuji
Waiting for Twenty-One People: A Book About Mt. Fuji, Golf, and the Logic of Place 6:30 in the morning. At a driving range at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The receptionist said, “There are still twenty-one people ahead of you.” It was not said in a complaining tone, and it was not a special day. It was simply an ordinary weekday morning. At that moment, I suddenly understood that golf in Japan is not merely a sport. It is a structure quietly observed. This book, Waiting for Twenty-O
3 min read


How to Choose a Car for Japan Private Charter? Complete Guide to Alphard, HiAce, Coaster — Golf Trips and Sightseeing Covered
Toyota Alphard Chauffeur service Planning a Japan private charter Most people ask about price first. But the questions that actually determine how good your trip feels are: does the car have enough room, can it fit the luggage, and what happens with golf bags? Choosing the right vehicle for Japan charter service isn't as straightforward as matching headcount to seat count. Two people on a honeymoon, a family of five, a group of eight golfers, a company trip of twenty — each c
6 min read


Playing Golf in Japan for the First Time: Course Flow, Etiquette, and Tips
For many first-time visitors, the biggest question is not which course is famous or which one is harder to play. What they really want to know is this: once you arrive at the golf course, how does the day actually go? What feels different from Taiwan or other countries? And what should you know in advance so you do not feel lost or accidentally do something impolite? This article is meant to answer exactly that. In simple terms, play golf in Japan usually goes like this: you
11 min read


Do all golf courses in Japan have caddies? Which courses do, how much do they cost, and how does it all work?
Japan golf GPS cart and self-play system One of the most common misunderstandings for first-time golfers coming to Japan is the assumption that caddies are standard at every course. In reality, that is not how Japanese golf usually works. Not every course has caddies, not every plan includes one, and even if you are willing to pay extra, it does not mean one can always be arranged. If you do not understand this in advance, it is very easy to end up with a mismatch between the
7 min read


5 Days, 4 Rounds in Japan | Why Narita Is the Smartest Base for Golf Groups
グレンオークスカントリークラブ If your group has more than eight players, planning a golf trip in Japan requires a slightly different approach. Most visitors instinctively look at Tokyo, Hakone, or even the Mt. Fuji area as their base. But if the goal is to play four rounds within five days without spending hours on the road every day, Narita often becomes the more practical choice. Golf groups traveling to Japan are usually focused less on sightseeing and more on efficiency: smooth tee tim
3 min read


Why Is Golf in Japan So Expensive? The Truth Behind the Membership System — From the Bubble Economy Collapse to the PGM Era
Symbolic Image of Japan’s Golf Membership System and the Bubble Economy Era If you judge Japanese golf fees purely by today's prices, you're likely to make the wrong budgeting decisions. The real driver behind the wide price gap isn't course quality — it's the institutional legacy left behind by an asset bubble that burst thirty years ago. To truly understand why Japanese golf fees vary so dramatically, you need to go back to the 1980s. 1. The Bubble Economy Era: Golf Courses
6 min read


Mt. Fuji Golf East Side Guide: Gotemba Highlands Courses and the Most Stable Route from Tokyo
Taiheiyo Club Gotemba West Course with Mount Fuji View Why 90% of First-Time Visitors Choose Gotemba Taiheiyo Club Gotemba West Course is one of the most representative golf courses in the Gotemba highlands. With rolling fairways and clear views of Mt. Fuji on good weather days, it reflects the character of the eastern side of the mountain. Why do most golfers visiting Mt. Fuji for the first time choose Gotemba? Why is it often called the “default answer” created by volcanic
6 min read


Mt Fuji Golf Guide: Understanding the East, South, North and West Golf Regions from Tokyo
Mount Fuji Golf Overview: Planning an East–West–South–North Route from Tokyo Why Mt Fuji Is a Complete Golf Region, Not Just a Landmark If you plan a golf trip from Tokyo, Mt Fuji almost always appears on the shortlist. For many visitors it is simply a landmark or scenic destination. However, for golfers and tour planners who regularly operate golf itineraries in Japan, Mt Fuji is better understood as a complete golf region rather than a single sightseeing spot. The courses s
4 min read


How Much Does a Private Car Cost in Japan?
When people ask how much a private car costs in Japan, they are usually not just looking for a number. What they really want to know is whether hiring a private car makes sense for their trip, and what kind of experience that price represents. Toyota Alphard private car service Japan city In practical terms, a full-day private car service in Japan usually means a vehicle with a professional driver for around 10 hours. In popular travel areas such as Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Hakon
3 min read


How to Choose Golf Courses Around Mt. Fuji
When choosing golf courses around Mt. Fuji, the real challenge is not the number of courses available, but how to balance pedigree, actual playing difficulty, and the flow of a three-round itinerary. Anyone who has practical experience running golf trips in Japan will quickly realize that course level and difficulty often shape the rhythm and overall enjoyment of the journey far more than price alone. Choosing golf courses around Mt. Fuji is ultimately about balancing prestig
4 min read


Why Mt. Fuji Is the Best Base for a Japan Golf Trip
One-sentence takeawayThe Mt. Fuji area is widely considered the best base for a Japan golf trip thanks to its high concentration of golf courses, short transfer times, flexible accommodation options, and a travel pace that is especially suitable for first-time golfers visiting Japan. The Mt. Fuji region stands out as the most practical and reliable base for planning a Japan golf itinerary. Compared with Tokyo or Kansai, it offers a better balance of golf quality, transportati
3 min read


Japan Private Car Service Guide: Legal Green Plate vs Illegal White Plate – Why Cheap Quotes Can Be the Highest Risk
Fleet of legally licensed green plate charter vehicles in Japan, operated by professional drivers and covered by commercial passenger insurance for safe airport and city transfers. When travelers search for “Japan private car service,” “Tokyo airport transfer safety,” or “Is white plate car legal in Japan,” they are often comparing prices without realizing that they are actually comparing two completely different legal systems. On the surface, both options look the same: a va
2 min read


How I Actually Plan a Trip in Japan: It’s Not About Doing More, It’s About Doing It Right
A sunset view of Mount Fuji, reflecting a Japan travel philosophy that values rhythm, atmosphere, and how a day feels—rather than filling an itinerary with destinations. I’ve always believed that planning a trip to Japan has very little to do with how many places you visit. The real difference between a trip that feels rewarding and one that feels exhausting usually comes down to whether you understood the rhythm of Japan before you ever booked a hotel or marked a sightseeing
3 min read


How Japanese Really Enjoy Onsen Travel: Ryokan Rhythm, Kaiseki, and the Art of Slowing Down
Japanese onsen ryokan with a private open-air bath, reflecting the quiet rhythm of traditional onsen travel in Japan For many international travelers, an onsen trip in Japan is often imagined as a highlight-filled itinerary—famous hot springs, scenic photos, and multiple destinations packed into a short stay. Yet for Japanese travelers, onsen travel has never been about accumulation. It is about reduction. Fewer places, fewer decisions, fewer distractions. At its core, an ons
3 min read
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