Osamu Ueda's public classic in the Aichi forest

Wood Friends Shinrinkoen Golf Course sits inside the Aichi Prefectural Forest Park in Owariasahi, just east of Nagoya. It opened in 1955 as only the second public golf course in Japan, and its holes were laid out by Osamu Ueda, one of the great masters of Japanese course design. Growing from nine holes to 36 by 1965, it now offers two 18-hole, par-72 courses on hilly ground: the traditional West Course, where the story began, with raised greens, carries over ponds and valleys, and the slightly higher East Course, with broad fairways, natural creeks and a famous 17th that splits in two around a valley. Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Sam Snead all came to play exhibitions here in the early 1960s.

Seventy years of public golf in a protected forest, shaped by one of Japan's master designers.

Its public roots still show: anyone can book, caddies are optional, and two driving ranges with 80 bays make it a fine place to warm up. The greens use a sub-air system to stay fast and true all year. Around the course, the Forest Park itself offers walking trails, a botanical garden and seasonal colour, while central Nagoya, with its castle and famous local food, is only a short drive away via the Moriyama Smart IC or the Meishin Nagoya IC. It is an easy half-day trip for any golfer visiting the Nagoya area.