Dai Atsugi Country Club Sakura Course: A Complete Guide for Visiting Golfers
Dai Atsugi Country Club Sakura Course: A Complete Guide for Visiting GolfersWhy the Sakura Course stands apartCourse overview and key statsThe cherry blossoms:...
PGT Team 路 29 Mar 2026 路 11 min read
Not every great round of golf in Japan requires a member introduction, weeks of advance planning, or a two-hour drive from the city. Dai Atsugi Country Club Sakura Course in Atsugi, Kanagawa, is proof of that. A publicly bookable course set among approximately 5,000 cherry trees, with wide fairways, GPS cart navigation, flexible tee time formats, and a direct shuttle from a major train station, it is one of the most accessible and genuinely enjoyable rounds available to foreign visitors within reach of Tokyo.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a round at Dai Atsugi Country Club Sakura Course, from the course layout and seasonal highlights to exact pricing and how to get there without a car.
Why the Sakura Course Stands Apart
Most of the quality courses within 90 minutes of Tokyo require either a member introduction or accompaniment to play. The Sakura Course operates differently. As part of the Accordia Golf network, Japan's largest golf course operator, it is open to all visitors without any membership requirement, bookable online in advance, and designed to accommodate everyone from first-timers to experienced golfers looking for a relaxed, well-maintained round.
The name is not decorative. Around 5,000 cherry trees are planted throughout the property, and when they bloom in late March and early April, the course transforms into one of the most visually striking golf experiences in the Kanto region. Playing golf through tunnels of flowering sakura along a well-kept fairway in the Kanagawa hills is an experience that sits genuinely outside what most visiting golfers expect when they think of Japan golf.
Beyond the spring season, the course earns its reputation through consistent conditions, a friendly and unhurried atmosphere, and one of the best access stories of any quality course near Tokyo: train from Shinjuku to Hon-Atsugi on the Odakyu Line, then the club shuttle directly to the course.
Course Overview and Key Stats
The Sakura Course opened on 8 October 1981, designed by Toshio Kinoshita, and has been managed by Accordia Golf since the group's expansion across the Kanto region. It plays as an 18-hole par 72 across 6,530 yards, with a course rating of 70.1. Bent grass two-greens are used throughout, which is standard for the region's cooler months and maintains consistent putting surfaces year-round.
The course is classified as a hill-style layout, though in practice the terrain is notably forgiving. The fairways are wide, the up-and-down movement is gentle, and the overall design prioritises enjoyable play over difficulty. That said, the Accordia data shows the course skews toward the easier end of the scale, which makes it a strong choice for golfers wanting their first full round in Japan without the pressure of a more demanding championship layout.
Both self-play (cart only) and caddie options are available, which is unusual among the quality courses near Tokyo and gives visiting golfers genuine flexibility depending on their budget and preference.
The Cherry Blossoms: When and What to Expect
The 5,000 cherry trees planted across the Sakura Course are its most distinctive feature, and the reason the course carries particular appeal in the inbound tourism calendar. Peak bloom in the Atsugi area typically falls between late March and early April, with the exact timing varying by a week or so depending on the year's temperatures.
During peak sakura season, the course sees its highest demand of the year. Weekends in late March and throughout April book up several weeks in advance. If your travel dates coincide with cherry blossom season and you want to play, book as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks ahead for weekends and two to three weeks for weekdays. Play Golf Tokyo can advise on timing and secure tee times for the peak window.
Outside of spring, the course remains attractive through autumn when the foliage changes along the fairways, and in summer when the tree cover provides welcome shade throughout the round. The relatively flat layout also makes it a practical choice in cooler months when more exposed or hilly courses become less appealing.
馃挕 Seasonal tip: For the cherry blossom experience, target weekday tee times in the first two weeks of April. Conditions are typically at their best, the course is quieter than weekends, and the green fee is lower. The bloom usually lasts seven to ten days at peak, so checking the forecast two weeks before your intended date is worth doing.
The Layout: What to Expect on the Course
The Sakura Course is designed to be enjoyed, not endured. Wide fairways give generous room off the tee, the relatively flat terrain keeps the round moving at a good pace, and the on-board GPS navigation makes distance management straightforward even for golfers playing an unfamiliar course for the first time. The overall character is relaxed and welcoming without being without interest: the two-green system, the tree-lined corridors between holes, and the pond features on several holes all provide enough shot-making variety to keep experienced golfers engaged.
The course plays to par 72 across a layout that balances par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s in the standard configuration. Bunkers are present but positioned to catch genuinely errant shots rather than punish marginally offline play. The greens are maintained to a high standard given the Accordia management, with bent grass providing reliable putting surfaces year-round.
Through-play (no lunch break between the nines) is available, which suits golfers on a tighter schedule or those who prefer to complete a round without the traditional Japanese halfway stop. Standard play with the restaurant lunch between the nines remains the most popular format and gives the day a natural rhythm that most visiting golfers enjoy.
Facilities and On-Course Experience
The driving range runs to 250 yards across 14 bays, with drivers permitted, making it a proper warm-up facility rather than a token one. The GPS navigation on the five-seater carts covers pin distances and hazard information, and the cart path is open to the fairway on most days (conditions permitting, with restrictions in winter mornings and wet conditions).
On-course facilities include four toilet locations across the 18 holes (at the 4th, 7th, 10th, and 15th holes) and vending machine stations at the 4th, 5th, and 15th. The clubhouse restaurant opens from 7:00 AM and serves a full range of Japanese golf course food, well worth planning around if you are playing the standard full-day format.
Post-round, the bath facilities are available for the standard season (April through December), with showers only in January through March. The locker room amenities are comprehensive: shampoo, conditioner, body soap, towels, razors, and hairdryers are all provided, which matters for golfers travelling light from a Tokyo hotel.
Club rental is available at 楼4,400 for a full set, shoe rental at 楼1,100. All major credit cards are accepted including Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, and Diners Club, as well as PayPay for those using Japanese mobile payments.
Green Fees and Pricing
Pricing at the Sakura Course is structured seasonally and by day of the week, with the lowest rates in January, February, July, and August, and higher rates in the spring and autumn peak periods. The figures below are indicative starting prices based on the published Accordia rate card. Booking directly through the official Accordia website or through Play Golf Tokyo secures the best available rate.
Play format Weekday (from) Weekend / Holiday (from) Self-play (cart only)楼11,850楼16,350 With caddie楼14,810楼19,310
These prices include the green fee and cart. Locker use is priced separately at 楼495 for visitors. Club rental is 楼4,400 and shoe rental 楼1,100, charged additionally. There are no hidden membership surcharges or introduction fees: what you see is what you pay.
Getting There from Tokyo
The Sakura Course is one of the easiest quality courses near Tokyo to reach without a car, which makes it a strong option for visitors staying in the city who do not want to rent a vehicle for the day.
By train and shuttle: take the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Hon-Atsugi Station (approximately 50 to 60 minutes on the express), then the club's shuttle bus directly to the course. The shuttle timetable is available on the Accordia booking page and runs at intervals timed to early morning tee times. A taxi from Hon-Atsugi Station is the alternative if the shuttle timing does not fit.
By car from Tokyo: the Tomei Expressway to Atsugi IC is the most direct route, with the course approximately 11km and 25 minutes from the interchange. The Odawara-Atsugi Expressway via Atsugi-Nishi IC (13km, 25 minutes) and the Ken-O Expressway via Ken-O Atsugi IC (10km, 23 minutes) are both viable depending on your starting point in the city.
How to Book as a Foreign Visitor
Unlike the private and semi-private courses in this guide, Dai Atsugi Country Club Sakura Course does not require a member introduction. It is a public course that accepts bookings from all visitors, which makes it one of the most straightforward rounds available in the Kanagawa region.
Play Golf Tokyo can handle the reservation, confirm your preferred tee time and format (self-play or caddie, standard or through-play), and brief you on arrival logistics and dress code. For first-time visitors to Japan who want a welcoming introduction to the country's golf culture without the complexity of private club access, this is an excellent starting point. For experienced visitors who want to pair an accessible round with a cherry blossom experience, it is simply one of the best options in the region.
For an overview of how booking works across different course types in Japan, including the difference between public, semi-private, and fully private access, read our complete guide to booking golf in Japan as a foreign visitor. If you are planning a two or three-day Kanagawa golf trip, the Sakura Course pairs naturally with a visit to Hakone or a more demanding private course in the region for a contrasting experience on consecutive days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a member introduction to play Dai Atsugi Country Club Sakura Course?
No. The Sakura Course is managed by Accordia Golf and is open to all visitors without any membership requirement or introduction. It can be booked online in advance or through Play Golf Tokyo, making it one of the most accessible quality courses near Tokyo for foreign visitors.
When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms at the Sakura Course?
Peak cherry blossom bloom at the Sakura Course typically falls in late March through early April, depending on the year's temperatures. The approximately 5,000 cherry trees are planted throughout the course and are at their most spectacular during the week of peak bloom. Weekday tee times in the first two weeks of April are the most practical option for visitors wanting the full experience without peak weekend crowds.
Can I play without a caddie at Dai Atsugi Country Club Sakura Course?
Yes. Self-play with a cart is available, which is less common at the private and semi-private courses in the region. GPS navigation on the carts provides pin distances and hazard information throughout the round. Caddie play is also available for those who prefer it.
How long does it take to get to the Sakura Course from Tokyo?
By train and shuttle, the journey from Shinjuku takes approximately 60 to 70 minutes: around 50 to 60 minutes on the Odakyu express to Hon-Atsugi, followed by the club shuttle to the course. By car via the Tomei Expressway to Atsugi IC, the drive from central Tokyo takes around 60 minutes depending on traffic.
Ready to book a round at the Sakura Course? Play Golf Tokyo handles the reservation in English, from tee time and format to shuttle timing and arrival guidance. View the course page or get in touch to check availability and plan your Kanagawa golf day.
