Fairways Among the Chichibu Hills

Kingdom Golf Club sits in the Arakawa area of Chichibu in western Saitama, surrounded by the mountains that rim the Chichibu basin. Opened in 1999 and designed by Akira Hotchi, the par-72 course is set on hilly ground, yet each hole has been shaped to play relatively flat. Fairways and rough are planted with El Toro grass from California, and water comes into play on the 8th and 18th, while a rock formation guards the green on the 7th. The club describes it as a course where golf can be enjoyed in its purest form, suitable for everyone from casual players to serious competitors.

A relaxed day of golf in the mountains, far from the city's rush.

Play is self-play with GPS-equipped riding carts, and there is a bath to unwind after the round, though there is no practice range. Chichibu makes a rewarding overnight escape from Tokyo: the area is known for its shrines, the Hitsujiyama Park shibazakura in spring, autumn colours along the Arakawa valley, local soba and onsen inns. By car the club is around 55 minutes from the Hanazono exit of the Kan-Etsu Expressway via Route 140; by train, take the Seibu Chichibu Line to Seibu-Chichibu Station, then a taxi of about 15 minutes.