Ultimate Japan Tour

Welcome to one of the most vibrant cities in the world! To ensure a comfortable arrival, we’ve arranged your seat on the Airport Limousine Service. You can relax during the ride to the Prince Park Tower Hotel, which will take about an hour, depending on traffic.

This evening, we’re pleased to invite you to The Golf Tourist welcome dinner. We’ll start with drinks and canapés in the lobby at 7 PM, allowing you to meet your fellow golf travelers. Afterward, we’ll head to a local Izakaya for dinner with Peter Bissett, the owner of The Golf Tourist.

After breakfast we meet in the hotel lobby before we take a further look at Tokyo. The nearby Imperial Palace is a fabulous introduction to this country. One can gaze in awe at the Nijubashi bridge, with imperial castles in the background, to realise that you are in a very different world. The Imperial East Gardens can be enjoyed all year round. These are home to a variety of historic structures including giant stone walls, remains of the castle tower and turrets dating back to the Edo (1603-1868) period. We then make our way to Tokyo Station. You are escorted right onto the platform to board the Shinkansen bullet train bound for ancient Kyoto; 2 hours 30 minutes away. On arrival at Kyoto Station, you’ll be met right on your train’s arrival platform and escorted to the Prince Hotel Kyoto. 

After check in, drop off your bags and have time to refresh. Then your Kyoto tour conductor will lead you on an engaging tour to give an authentic evening view of Kyoto. Visiting the vivid Gion district for an understanding of Japan’s culture and traditions then settle in with dinner at a favourite izakaya restaurant.

We continue exploring and learning about this ancient capital. We visit two famous sites of Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nijo Castle. Lunch is served along the way. Kyoto actually means ‘capital city’, which may seem a bit odd given that Tokyo is the capital. But that points back to the history. For over 1,000 years, from 794 to 1868, Kyoto served as the capital city of Japan. It originated in the form Heian-kyo (literally ‘peaceful capital’) that was centred around the Imperial Palace. It was from here that Japan’s emperors ruled for centuries. It’s no surprise that Kyoto remains so woven with palaces, gardens, temples and shrines. There’s an endless amount of fascinating things to see, making Kyoto almost like a museum. Kyoto has its own unique charm and atmosphere, attracting millions of tourists each year from Japan and overseas. Historic traditions have been maintained in this cultural capital that may not be experienced elsewhere in Japan – like its geisha district, for example. These sites, these people and these places may well be engraved on your memory forever. 

​In the early afternoon we take the shinkansen to Kakegawa and see more of the country. We get a lovely view of the surrounding landscapes during this train journey. Then a short drive to the resort which is our home for the next 2 nights.  This is the Japan from which Yamaha arose, and we are delighted to be able to share this sensibility and culture. Relax your body and mind in the peace and beauty of this incredible resort. Breakfast and dinner is included.

Today we find ourselves at the stunning Ugari Golf Course, tucked away within the resort. The course, known for its spacious design, is a true testament to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. As we navigate through the course, we are greeted by rolling hills that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also present intriguing challenges for golfers of all skill levels.

The layout of Ugari offers a diverse golfing experience. Some holes require impressive carries over wide expanses, testing both power and precision, while others call for meticulous shots that demand a keen eye and steady hand.

After dinner, the evening opens up to a world of relaxation. Guests can immerse themselves in a tranquil open-air bath that offers views of a serene bamboo garden. The gentle rustle of leaves and the soothing sounds of nature create a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day on the golf course. Alternatively, those seeking an even deeper level of relaxation can indulge in the mist sauna, where the warm steam envelops you in comfort. Enjoy your stay.

Perched on a hill top this course was created to take advantage of the sloping land that faces Lake Ashi with Mt. Komagatake as its backdrop. The designers, Komyo Otani and Yasuhiko Asaka, sculptured fewer elevation changes than you might expect, because it is laid out around the foot of the mountain. From most of the holes, you can see magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi. It’s not overly long and at 5,936 yards you might think this is an easy course. But the subtle undulation changes, the narrow fairways and strategic position of bunkers all make this quite the difficult course. Several holes feature twin green options to add variety and more challenge. Accuracy is key to scoring well and the elevation along with the nearby mountain can produce nice refreshing winds from the nearby lake Ashi.

As a Prince group golf course, you can be assured of top class food and service offerings in the lovely clubhouse after enjoying a day of resort-style mountain golf.

Hotel checkout is at 10 AM. After enjoying your final breakfast at the hotel, we will collect our belongings and prepare for the day ahead. Our first stop will be the bustling district of Ginza, where we will have a delicious lunch at a local izakaya.

Following our meal, you’ll have some time to explore one of the popular department stores in Ginza, which is great for any last-minute shopping you may want to do.

Once we finish shopping, we’ll head to either Narita or Haneda Airport. It’s important to arrive early to meet your airline’s requirements and navigate customs and immigration.

We wish you a safe flight back home. For now, we say Sayonara.