Forest and lakes beneath Mt. Tarumae

Hokkaido Dream Country Club, formerly Dream Tomakomai Golf Club, lies on rolling ground at the foot of Mt. Tarumae on the outskirts of Tomakomai. It opened in 1974 and was later renovated under the supervision of tour professional Katsunari Takahashi. The result is a strategic 18-hole, par-72 championship layout of 6,872 yards. Holes run through forest and past lakes, and the volcano stands behind much of the round.

A northern championship course that is easy to reach, about 50 minutes from New Chitose Airport.

Golfers who fly in can be on the first tee soon after landing. GPS-equipped riding carts and bentgrass greens keep the round smooth, and the club has its own cottages for players who want to stay over and play again the next day. The setting suits a summer trip, when Hokkaido is cool and green. The season runs from mid-March to mid-December, and the course closes for snow in winter. The famous hot-spring town of Noboribetsu Onsen is within easy driving distance and works well as an overnight base. Lake Shikotsu and the port city of Tomakomai are also nearby, and Sapporo is about 90 minutes away by car, so the course fits easily into a wider Hokkaido itinerary.