Lakes, Rocks and a Room Above the Fairways

Rock Hill Golf Club sits in the rolling countryside of Hitachi-Omiya in northern Ibaraki, a 36-hole stay-and-play retreat that opened in 1988 to a design by Tokyu Construction. Its two courses are distinct personalities: the Lake Course is a flatter test threaded with ponds, mounds and grass bunkers that rewards accuracy, while the Rock Course works natural rock outcrops and water into a broader layout with open tee shots and two- and three-tier bent greens that punish a loose approach. Remote-controlled carts with GPS navigation keep the day moving, and a 220-yard range with a bunker practice area is on hand to warm up.

Two courses, one hotel in the clubhouse, and no need to rush home.

What sets Rock Hill apart is that you can sleep on site: the 12-storey clubhouse doubles as a 65-room hotel, so a round can roll into dinner at the restaurant, a soak in the large bath and sauna, and a second day on the other course. It makes an easy base for exploring the quiet Kuji river valley and the Okukuji area of northern Ibaraki. From Tokyo, take the Limited Express Hitachi to Mito (about 77 minutes), then the JR Suigun Line to Hitachi-Omiya, where the club's shuttle bus collects guests by reservation; drivers exit the Joban Expressway at Naka, about 30 minutes away.