A Green Poem in the Embrace of Mt. Fuji: A Journey to Asagiri Jamboree Golf Club

Asagiri Jamboree GC

Golfing at the Foot of Mt. Fuji

In the early morning, a thin veil of mist drapes over the Asagiri Highlands. As the sun rises, it gently dissipates. I stand on the spacious tee box of Asagiri Jamboree Golf Club, Mt. Fuji towering in the distance, its slopes gilded by the first light. Established in 1975 and designed by Japanese golf course master Hideo Takemura, this 27-hole course is divided into three distinct nines—Fuji, Kai, and Suruga—sprawled across the wide, level terrain of the highlands. The layout allows for smooth play, as if each step merges naturally with the land beneath your feet. Nearly every hole frames a different view of Mt. Fuji, as though the entire course is embraced by the silent giant.

Walking along the dew-fresh fairways, I notice clever design touches everywhere. The Fuji course features several holes lined with clear ponds that mirror the blue sky and Mt. Fuji, offering both beauty and challenge. The 7th hole is especially memorable—its lakeside fairway reflects an upside-down Mt. Fuji, creating the surreal sense of sharing the frame with the mountain as you swing. On the Kai course, the 9th hole is a long downhill drive, the fairway descending gently into the horizon. From the tee, the green slope seems to invite your shot, sending the ball gliding with the highland breeze. The Suruga course is set in more open grasslands, with each hole revealing yet another angle of Mt. Fuji’s grandeur. Here, the air carries a coolness from the highlands and a hint of salt from Suruga Bay, a refreshing touch as you focus on your next shot.

Asagiri Jamboree GC

A Destination for Travelers

For travelers, Asagiri Jamboree is more than a golf course—it’s a destination that embodies Japan’s natural beauty and cultural spirit. Playing here offers both the thrill of sport and the joy of sightseeing—look up mid-swing and you may see Mt. Fuji shrouded in clouds or standing sharply against a blue sky. The cheers of companions echo across the highlands, then fade back into the quiet, leaving only the whisper of wind and birdsong. This tranquility brings a rare inner calm, as if time itself slows, much like a scene from a Murakami novel.

The clubhouse facilities are equally impressive. After a satisfying round, I step into the elegant restaurant, where large windows frame panoramic views of Mt. Fuji. The menu features refined Japanese dishes made with local ingredients—highland vegetables from Fujinomiya, fresh catches from Suruga Bay. I order a seasonal set meal, including tempura made from mountain vegetables and a clear broth simmered with Mt. Fuji spring water. Each bite tastes of the land itself. Here, respect for Mt. Fuji permeates life and cuisine alike.

For those wishing to extend their stay, the course offers an on-site lodge. Many rooms face Mt. Fuji directly, so you can wake to the morning light over its slopes without leaving your bed. In the evening, the mountain is bathed in rose-gold sunset light. The large communal bath offers a serene soak with glimpses of Mt. Fuji’s silhouette through the steam—an almost novelistic moment of solitude and reflection.

Surrounding Itinerary: Stays, Food, and Sights

Making Asagiri Jamboree part of your itinerary opens up many nearby attractions. For an overnight stay, Kyukamura Fuji on the west shore of Lake Tanuki offers rooms with uninterrupted views of Mt. Fuji. On certain mornings, you can witness the famous “Diamond Fuji” when the sunrise crowns the peak. The outdoor onsen here is a highlight—soak in natural alkaline waters while watching the sun dip behind Mt. Fuji. The buffet dinner features local specialties, from Shizuoka black oden to dishes with river fish from Mt. Fuji’s streams, and Shizuoka wagyu beef.

Half an hour’s drive from the course lies Shiraito Falls, often called one of Japan’s most beautiful waterfalls. Here, dozens of thin, white streams cascade down a 20-meter-high lava cliff for 150 meters, fed by Mt. Fuji’s snowmelt. In sunlight, the mist creates faint rainbows—a poem of water and light. Pair this with a visit to the nearby Otodome Falls for a contrasting, more powerful cascade.

For a taste of the local harvest, stop at Asagiri Food Park, a cluster of small factories and shops producing milk, cheese, ice cream, sake, and tea. Watch fresh milk being processed through glass windows, sip creamy highland milk, sample Mt. Fuji spring-water sake, and take home handmade treats.

If you’re drawn to history and culture, visit Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of all Mt. Fuji shrines in Japan. Dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mt. Fuji, it is a sacred place where crystal-clear spring water fills the pond of Wakutamaike, reflecting the shrine’s vermilion buildings and Mt. Fuji. Just outside, the Miyacho Yokocho street offers local food stalls—most famously Fujinomiya Yakisoba, a champion B-grade gourmet dish with chewy noodles, savory sauce, and bonito powder.

Leaving Fujinomiya City, I glance back at Mt. Fuji and recall the morning scene at Asagiri—sunlight soft on the green fairways, the mountain standing guard. In writing this, I’ve tried to capture the course’s contours with Hemingway’s clarity and the journey’s quiet moments with Murakami’s introspection. Perhaps years from now, I’ll remember the arc of a golf ball against Mt. Fuji’s silhouette, and the peace that came with it—that unique blend of motion and stillness that makes Asagiri Jamboree Golf Club and its surroundings so unforgettable.