SHIZUOKA

Shizuoka

Shizuoka was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun, then became the home of Japanese tea. For hundreds of years, the Tokaido highway connecting Tokyo and Kyoto has flourished as an essential transportation route. Today the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train follows roughly the same route. It takes about one hour to travel from Tokyo to Shizuoka, and one-and-a-half hours from Shizuoka to Kyoto. Sometime referred to as Japan’s riviera, the western prefecture extends deep into the Japan Alps. In the east, it becomes a narrower coast bounded in the north by Mount Fuji, until it comes to the Izu Peninsula, the popular resort area pointing south to the Pacific. We know Shizuoka for an abundance of beautiful golf courses.

Ohayō gozaimasu (good morning).  After breakfast we take the shinkansen to Kakegawa and see more of the country. We get a lovely view of the  landscapes during this 90-minute journey. Then a short drive to the resort which is our home for the next 2 nights. Breakfast and dinner is included here.

At the heart of this fabled region stands the distinctive Katsuragi Hotel Kitanomaru, an extraordinary modern-day Japanese castle created and developed by the Yamaha Group.

 This is the Japan from which Yamaha arose, and we are delighted to be able to share this sensibility and culture. Relax  body and mind in the peace and beauty of this resort.

Located within the Katsuragi Resort is the first of two fine golf courses. Yamana is a course steeped in the traditions and drama of professional competition. A grand course carved out of a gorgeous forest, with views of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Yamana is the setting for the Yamaha Katsuragi Ladies Open and only a  short stroll to your accommodation.

After breakfast we make our way towards Atami, the heart of Mt Fuji. If we are lucky, Mt Fuji will be in view today from the left hand side of the bullet train. We make a stop to wander for a few hours in the beautiful town of Shuzenji. 

Shuzenji Onsen was named after the Temple at the town centre. Kobo Daishi, one of Japan’s most important religious persons, founded the Zen temple about 1200 years ago. We visit the temple and have the history explained. 

Wander the streets, browse the goods and purchase some keep-sakes. Cross the beautiful Katsuura Bridge into the bamboo forest to experience nature Japan-style. We take lunch at one of the numerous restaurants on the main street. 

We continue onto the  Kawana Hotel , which is our base for the next two nights, Here we also have a large swimming pool, tennis courts and a dream hot spring called Brisa Marina.

The Fuji course at the Kawana Resort is internationally recognised as the best. ‘This paradise is at least 2 hours from Yokohama’ wrote Charles H. Alison in the 1930’s. ‘It lies among the hills beyond the hot springs. From a wooded bay, a mile distant, a fishing village sends out boats with sails to complete the last detail of a perfect scene’. It is also very expensive but is worth each hard-earned yen.

The 11th is a 568-yard par 5 – the longest on Fuji with the mountain on the left. The green is located at the foot of the lighthouse which you will see is shaped like a golf tee. Together with the views, this hole is a feature of this magnificent golf course. The 15th is a 415-yard downhill par five with scenery that reminds golfers of Pebble Beach. You soon realise that the undulating fairway that runs alongside the sea is one of the most difficult and challenging on the course. The par three 16th is merely 172 yards.  The 17th par four has some deep and challenging bunkers known locally as ‘Alison Bunkers’ after the designer. Fuji Course uses the Japanese caddy system and we need to play here on foot.

After this round and suitable refreshments, we return to Tokyo and the Prince Park Tower Hotel.  Then prepare for tonight’s included farewell dinner which will be around and under the railway lines at Yurakucho railway station. Thereafter you are free to enjoy your final evening on the town in Tokyo.