Rolling Musashino Hills, a course for everyone

PGM Musashi Golf Club spreads across the rolling hills of the old Musashi province in Hatoyama, central Saitama. Opened in 1990 and designed by Kokichi Yasuda, one of the pioneers of Japanese golf, the 18-hole, par-72 layout runs to nearly 6,900 yards from the back tees with bent-grass greens. The club's guiding idea is a course everyone can enjoy: at first glance it looks orthodox, but the designer's intentions are tucked into every hole, rewarding different strategies depending on your skill level.

It looks straightforward from the tee, but every hole hides a designer's intent.

Rounds are traditionally played with a caddie and a five-seat GPS cart, a classic Japanese experience, while self-play is offered at later tee times. After the round, the large bath and sauna look out over a waterfall. Getting here is easy without a car: a club shuttle bus meets golfers at Sakado Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, about 25 minutes from the course, and drivers can use the nearby Kan-Etsu Expressway. The castle town of Kawagoe, with its old storehouse streets and sweet-potato snacks, is close by for an afternoon stroll, and the surrounding hills turn gold and crimson in autumn, making this an easy and rewarding day out from Tokyo.