Nasu Yoko: 27 holes beneath Mt. Nasu

Spread across rolling hills in Nasu town, in the far north of Tochigi, Nasu Yoko Golf Club offers 27 holes in three nines, East, South and North, totalling par 108. Laid out by the design department of Hazama Corporation, the course plays to about 6,886 yards from the blue tees, with strategically placed hazards, generous fairways and bentgrass greens, one per hole. Views of the Nasu volcanoes accompany much of the round, and riding carts can go onto the fairways when conditions allow. A covered, floodlit 200-yard range and a ladies' "Heart" tee option round out a club that suits every level.

Mountain views, three distinct nines, and a hotel just fifty metres from the first tee.

This is a club built for staying: the 29-room Nasu Sunlight Hotel sits right beside the clubhouse, and a large bath with a dry sauna awaits after the round. The Nasu highlands are one of Tokyo's favourite summer and autumn escapes, known for onsen towns, dairy farms, cool mountain air and blazing foliage on the slopes of Mt. Nasu. Getting here is easy: take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nasu-Shiobara and ride the free club shuttle (book by the day before), or drive about 25 minutes from the Nasu interchange.