Pine-lined fairways on Chiba's far eastern tip

Choshi Country Club lies near the city of Choshi at the easternmost corner of Chiba, the course formerly known as Rainbow Hills and now run by Unimat Golf. Designed by Kazusuke and Michio Izumi, it plays as 18 holes, par 72, stretching to 6,880 yards from the back tees. The front nine rolls gently between stands of pine, while the back nine brings stronger undulations and asks for careful placement into undulating greens that are kept in fine condition year-round. It markets itself as an open, relaxed resort course where every golfer can feel like the star of the day.

A resort-style round at the edge of the Kanto plain, with a hotel right next door.

The adjacent Hotel Valencia makes this an easy overnight trip, with stay-and-play packages and dinner for staying guests. Choshi itself is one of Japan's great fishing ports, famous for fresh seafood and soy sauce breweries, and the lighthouse at Cape Inubosaki is among the first places in Japan to see the sunrise. Drivers reach the club in about 40 minutes from the Daiei interchange; without a car, take an express bus from Tokyo Station's Yaesu terminal or the JR Narita Line to Shimosa-Toyosato, where the club shuttle will collect you with advance reservation.