Seasons and Ridgelines at Tsuru's Hillside Retreat

Miyako Golf Club sits in the hills of Tsuru in eastern Yamanashi, about 10 minutes from the Tsuru interchange on the Chuo Expressway's Kawaguchiko line. It opened in 1993. The design came from Taiyo Ryokka's in-house team, and Tokyo Tatemono Resort now runs the club. Its 18 holes play to a par of 72 over 6,762 yards from the back tees, on rolling ground with well-placed ponds and bunkers and bentgrass greens. The front nine is open and invites a free swing, with the gentle ridgeline of Mitsutoge in the background. The back nine asks for more precision and course management. Broadleaf trees line the fairways, bringing cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green in early summer and colourful foliage in autumn.

An open front nine under Mitsutoge, and a back nine that asks for craft.

You can play with a caddie or self-play, and rental clubs are available if you book ahead. The club has its own 14-room hotel, every room overlooking the course, so you can stay overnight and play again the next morning. Tsuru is a good base for the Fuji Five Lakes area, with Lake Kawaguchi, onsen and views of Mt. Fuji only a short drive further along the expressway. Without a car, take the JR Chuo Line limited express from Shinjuku to Otsuki, about an hour, then a taxi of about 20 minutes.