Taiheiyo Club — Gotemba Course
The flagship of Japan's Taiheiyo Club and long-time home of the Taiheiyo Masters — a Mount Fuji parkland championship course that genuinely welcomes visiting golfers.
Taiheiyo Club — Gotemba Course in photos
Can I play Taiheiyo Club — Gotemba Course?
Yes — although Taiheiyo Club is a members' club, the flagship Gotemba Course welcomes visitors and is one of the more accessible top-tier courses in Japan for travellers. The most common route is a stay-and-play package that bundles a round with a night at the on-site hotel, arranged directly or through a golf tour operator. It is best known as the long-time host of the Taiheiyo Masters, set on the slopes of Mount Fuji.
How to book: Book through the club's overseas-guest programme or, more simply, via a Japan golf tour operator that packages the round with the on-site accommodation and hot-spring facilities. Reserve a few weeks to months ahead, especially for weekends and autumn dates; a caddie is included. Tournament week (usually November) is closed to visitor play.
About Taiheiyo Club — Gotemba Course
Opened in 1977 to a Shunsuke Kato design and later refreshed by Rees Jones and Bryce Swanson, the Gotemba Course is the flagship of the 17-strong Taiheiyo Club family and sits on the south-eastern flank of Mount Fuji. It has hosted the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters every year since 1977, giving it a tournament pedigree few Japanese courses can match, and it once staged the 2001 World Golf Championships World Cup. Unlike many elite Japanese clubs, Gotemba is realistically playable by visitors — usually via a stay-and-play package at its on-site hotel — making it a rare blend of championship prestige and traveller access. Wide, sculpted fairways, sizeable greens and a photogenic Fuji backdrop reward a memorable, unhurried round.
Signature hole
The closing par-5 18th sweeps back toward the clubhouse with Mount Fuji looming behind — one of Japanese golf's most photographed finishing holes and the stage for countless Taiheiyo Masters climaxes.
What makes it special
Taiheiyo Masters host
Home of the Japan Golf Tour's Taiheiyo Masters every year since 1977 — you play the same finishing holes as the pros.
Mount Fuji theatre
The volcano dominates the skyline, most memorably behind the celebrated closing par 5.
Accessible prestige
One of the easiest of Japan's truly elite courses for a travelling golfer to play, thanks to on-site stay-and-play packages.
Tournament pedigree
- Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters (annually since 1977)
- WGC-EMC World Cup (2001)
Need to know
Best time to play
Autumn (October–November) brings crisp air and clear Fuji views, and spring is excellent too; the Taiheiyo Masters occupies a week in November when visitor play pauses.
Dress code
Collared shirt and tailored trousers required; no denim, and neat clubhouse attire (jacket appreciated) in keeping with Japanese club custom.
Good to know
Caddie service is standard and carts are provided over the hillside routing; allow around five hours for a round and expect a polished, resort-style operation with excellent practice and spa facilities.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Tokyo Haneda (HND) ~1.5–2 hrs by car; Mount Fuji Shizuoka (FSZ) is a secondary option.
On arrival
From Tokyo it is around 90 minutes to two hours by car via the Tomei/Shin-Tomei Expressway to Gotemba. By train, take a limited express or bus toward Gotemba, then a short taxi to the club. Package operators usually include transfers.
Stay near the course
Stay in the club's on-site hotel to secure the smoothest visitor access and enjoy the hot springs and dining; the Gotemba area also offers Mount Fuji resort hotels and the nearby premium outlets for a base.
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Mars Garden Wood Gotemba
Gotemba
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices edit x seven FUJI GOTEMBA
Gotemba
A taste of the luxury stays near Taiheiyo Club — Gotemba Course — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Gotemba — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Gotemba.
Explore GotembaFrequently asked questions
Can non-members play Taiheiyo Gotemba?
Yes. Although it is a members' club, the Gotemba Course sells visitor tee times, most easily as part of a stay-and-play package with the on-site hotel or through a Japan golf tour operator — no member introduction is generally required.
How much is a round?
Indicatively around ¥32,590–43,590 (roughly US$220–300) depending on day, plan and season, with a caddie included. Rates are approximate and often quoted within a stay-and-play package.
Can I play the course the pros play?
Yes — this is the actual Taiheiyo Masters venue, so visitors walk the same Mount Fuji routing and famous finishing hole used on the Japan Golf Tour.
When should I visit?
Autumn and spring are ideal for weather and Fuji views; note the course closes to visitor play during Taiheiyo Masters week in November.
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Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
- Gotemba Course — Taiheiyo Club (official)
- Taiheiyo Gotemba Golf Course — Top100GolfCourses
- Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters — Wikipedia
Guide updated 2026-07-27.