Cool Highland Golf Above a Sea of Clouds

High in the hills of Inabu, in the far northeast of Toyota City, Inabu Country Club opened in 1993 on a design by Peter Thomson, the five-time Open champion, with Shozo Ozasa. The 18-hole, par-72 course plays up to 6,838 yards at about 750 metres above sea level, where summer temperatures run five or six degrees cooler than in the city. The outward nine is relatively flat with generous fairways, but well-placed greenside bunkers demand a precise approach; on the inward nine water comes into play on around half the holes, with the 11th and 17th the standouts.

On a lucky morning the clubhouse looks out over Oshiyama's sea of clouds, a quiet reward for an early start.

Run by Accordia Golf, Inabu is a self-play course with GPS-equipped riding carts, a 220-yard range with approach and bunker practice, and rental clubs for travellers. Its altitude makes it a natural summer escape from the heat of the Nagoya plain, and the surrounding mountains of the Mikawa highlands are lovely in autumn. Pair a round with the riverside scenery and autumn colours of Korankei in Asuke, also part of Toyota City. The course is reached by car, about 40 km from Chikara IC on the Sanage Green Road or about 43 km from Ena IC on the Chuo Expressway.