Fuji Sakura Country Club | Championship Golf at the Foot of Mt. Fuji

768miramar
4 hours ago
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If you want to experience world-class championship golf at the foot of Japan’s most iconic mountain, Fuji Sakura Country Club is an irreplaceable destination.

As the official home of the Fujisankei Classic, this course has become a sacred ground for golfers who dream of teeing off beneath the gaze of Mt. Fuji.

1. The Story Behind the Course

Fuji Sakura Country Club was founded in 1975 in Kawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, by Fuji Kanko Kaihatsu Co., Ltd.Designed by Kazuya Shimura, the course embraces the contours of the land and the movement of the wind. Nothing is excessive—every slope and every forest line is placed with purpose.

Since 2005, Fuji Sakura has served as the permanent venue of the Fujisankei Classic, one of Japan’s leading professional men’s tournaments.Before that, the event was held at the renowned Kawana Hotel Fuji Course and the Kōsaka Country Club.By succeeding these legendary venues, Fuji Sakura proved itself as one of Japan’s true championship courses, both in design and in spirit.

Champions here include Shingo Katayama (2006), Ryo Ishikawa (2009, 2010), Hideki Matsuyama (2013), and K.T. Kim (2019).For many Japanese golfers, standing on this fairway is more than just a round—it’s a pilgrimage.

2. Course Layout and Design

The club features 18 holes, Par 72, stretching 7,437 yards from the tournament tees—a genuine test by any global standard.The terrain is naturally undulating, framed by dense pine and birch forests that give every hole its own quiet solitude.

Signature holes include:

No. 3 Par 3: A downhill shot framed perfectly by Mt. Fuji—a must-photo moment for every golfer.
No. 12 Par 5: A 560-yard battlefield where distance, wind, and slope combine into one of the most dramatic holes in Japan.
No. 17 Par 4: A subtle yet treacherous green, often the decisive stage of the Fujisankei Classic.

The greens are made of bent grass, meticulously maintained and lightning fast—often running over 10 feet in summer.Fuji Sakura’s layout rewards precision and patience; every mistake echoes in the silence of the forest.

3. The Presence of Mt. Fuji

Playing here means more than hitting a ball—it’s a dialogue with nature.On clear mornings, Mt. Fuji stands in full view from more than half the holes.On misty afternoons, clouds swirl across the slopes, and sunlight filters through the pines like silk ribbons.

The wind carries a chill from the snow above. Each swing feels lighter, yet more serious.Fuji Sakura is not a “resort” course; it is a place of discipline—a spiritual training ground disguised as golf.

4. Facilities and Caddie Service

The clubhouse, built of natural wood and stone, is quietly elegant.The restaurant overlooks the 18th green and Mt. Fuji, serving Yamanashi’s local cuisine—soba, grilled meats, and mountain vegetables.Spacious locker rooms and hot-spring baths offer a peaceful retreat after the round.

Caddie System:Fuji Sakura Country Club operates under a mandatory full-caddie policy—each group is assigned a professional caddie to manage clubs and guide play.Advance booking is essential. Most rounds are played with motorized carts, but certain holes may require walking depending on course conditions.

Maintenance Quality:Every facility and fairway is maintained to tournament standards throughout the year. Even outside the pro-season, the course remains in immaculate condition.

Winter Closure:Due to its elevation near Mt. Fuji, the course typically closes from mid-December to late March because of heavy snowfall. When it reopens in spring, the landscape glows with melting snow and fresh greenery—perhaps the most beautiful season to play.

5. Access and Accommodation

Fuji Sakura Country Club is about a 15-minute drive from Kawaguchiko Station, or approximately 2 hours from Tokyo via the Chuo Expressway.From Gotemba, the drive takes roughly 90 minutes.

Recommended nearby accommodations include the Kaze no Terrace KUKUNA, Fuji View Hotel, and Kozantei Ubuya around Lake Kawaguchi.Waking up to the mountain, enjoying breakfast, and then teeing off at Fuji Sakura—it’s a perfect image of a Japanese golf morning.

6. Why Fuji Sakura Is Worth the Journey

Because here, golf returns to its essence.There are no artificial distractions, only real land, real wind, and your own focus.Every shot demands honesty; every mistake teaches humility.

Fuji Sakura is not just a golf course—it’s a story carved into the foothills of Mt. Fuji.For players who seek challenge, beauty, and silence, this is where the game feels pure again.

Course Information

Address: 7187-4 Kodachi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture, JapanTel: +81-555-73-2211Holes: 18 / Par 72Length: 7,437 yards (from Tournament Tees)Grass: Bent GrassCaddie System: Full-caddie required / advance reservation neededClosed Season: Mid-December – Late MarchOfficial Website: https://www.fujizakura-cc.jp