Two Courses in Narusawa: Close in Distance, Worlds Apart

On the northern slopes of Mt. Fuji, in Yamanashi’s Narusawa Village, sit two golf courses with similar names and almost neighboring locations.

Look at a map, and they are barely ten minutes apart. Step onto the fairways, and you’ll feel as if you’ve crossed into two entirely different worlds.

Narusawa Golf Club

Narusawa Golf Club

• Opened: 1992

• Designer: Mitsuaki Kobayashi

• Holes: 18 / Par 72

• Play Style: Walking only, no carts (typical of Japan’s top “A-Class” courses)

• Highlights:

  • A prestigious, private members-only club known for immaculate course management and fast greens.

  • Built on volcanic ash soil from Mt. Fuji, offering excellent drainage and consistently firm playing conditions, even after rain.

  • Demands precision short game skills due to fast greens and well-protected approaches.

• Atmosphere:

  • Quiet, formal, and built for serious golf.

  • Closed to the public; access typically requires a member’s invitation or booking through specialized golf tour agencies.

フォレスト鳴沢ゴルフ＆カントリークラブ

Forest Narusawa Golf & Country Club

• Opened: 1999

• Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.

• Holes: 18 / Par 72

• Play Style: Riding carts (allowed on fairways), open to the public

• Highlights:

  • Wide fairways, open views, and a resort-style design perfect for relaxing play.

  • Robert Trent Jones Jr. is famous for integrating landscapes into his layouts, and here, nearly every tee box frames Mt. Fuji.

  • Well-versed in hosting international guests, with multilingual service available.

• Atmosphere:

  • Casual and welcoming, ideal for a golf vacation with friends or a first-time round in Japan.

Close, Yet Different

Less than a ten-minute drive separates these two courses.One is a refined, members-only sanctuary of precision and tradition.The other is an open, resort-style course where Mt. Fuji’s beauty is always in sight.In Narusawa, whether you seek the challenge of elite competition or the joy of a relaxed round, you’ll find the perfect fairway.

Narusawa Golf Course Comparison Table

Category	Narusawa Golf Club	Forest Narusawa Golf & Country Club
Opened	1992	1999
Designer	Mitsuaki Kobayashi	Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Holes	18 / Par 72	18 / Par 72
Play Style	Walking only, no carts	Riding carts (on fairways)
Public Access	Members-only, invitation or special arrangement	Open to public, online or tour booking
Course Character	Fast greens, strict maintenance, highly challenging	Wide fairways, scenic views, relaxed play
Scenic Features	Mt. Fuji as the backdrop to serious competition	Nearly every tee box offers Mt. Fuji views
Best For	Experienced players seeking precision and challenge	Tourists, leisure golfers, first-time Japan players
Booking Difficulty	High	Low