Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course Golf Course

— About

About Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course Golf Course

The Fuji Course at Kawana Hotel is one of Japan's great resort courses, designed by British architect C.H. Alison and opened in 1936 on a dramatic clifftop site at the tip of the Izu Peninsula. The course commands breathtaking Pacific Ocean views from almost every hole, with the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji visible on clear days to the northwest. Alison — who designed both Hirono and Kawana — used the natural clifftop terrain masterfully, routing holes along the cliff edge and through coastal valleys. The 8th hole, a par-3 tee shot over a rocky ocean cove, is one of Japan's most photographed golf moments. Unlike Hirono, which is strictly private, the Fuji Course is open to guests of the historic Kawana Hotel, making it one of the most accessible world-class golf experiences in Japan. The combination of Alison architecture, Mount Fuji views, ocean drama, and seamless resort hospitality makes Kawana Fuji uniquely special among Asian resort destinations.

— History

History of Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course

C.H. Alison designed the Fuji Course at Kawana Hotel during his 1931 Japanese visit — the same trip that produced Hirono — and it opened in 1936 on a dramatic clifftop site at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula. The Kawana Hotel was built in 1936 by the Seibu Railway group as a luxury resort for Tokyo's social elite, with the golf course as its centrepiece. Alison's design at Kawana is considered his most visually dramatic work anywhere in the world — the Pacific Ocean views and the Mount Fuji backdrop create a setting he could not have encountered in his European commissions.

— Signature Holes

Signature Holes at Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course

The par-3 8th is Kawana Fuji's most celebrated hole — a tee shot over a rocky Pacific Ocean cove to a clifftop green, with the Izu coastline framing the approach and Mount Fuji occasionally visible in the distance. The par-4 16th plays from a clifftop tee along the headland, with the ocean visible throughout the entire hole. Alison's par-4 18th returns to the hotel through a final tree-lined corridor, ending a round in a setting of remarkable natural beauty.

— Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course

April through early July and September through November offer the best playing conditions on the Izu Peninsula. Cherry blossoms in April coincide with the best Mount Fuji visibility before the summer haze arrives. July and August are warm but humid; the coast receives typhoon-related rain in September. Mount Fuji is most clearly visible on cold, clear winter days (November through February).

— Practical Tips

Tips for Playing Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course

Kawana Fuji is accessible to guests of the Kawana Hotel — book tee times through the hotel reservation system. Green fees are approximately USD 180 to 280. Caddies are provided as standard. The Izu Peninsula is 2 hours south of Tokyo by car or limited express train to Ito station; the hotel provides transfers. Staying at the Kawana Hotel is the standard way to access the course and provides a complete Japanese luxury resort experience.

— Highlights

Why Play Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course

• ▸ Designed by C.H. Alison in 1936 — dramatic clifftop setting at the tip of the Izu Peninsula
• ▸ Views of Mount Fuji from multiple fairways on clear days
• ▸ 8th hole — par-3 tee shot over a rocky Pacific Ocean cove to a clifftop green
• ▸ Open to Kawana Hotel guests — rare access to a world-class Alison design
• ▸ Ranked consistently among Japan's top 5 resort courses

— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Kawana Hotel Golf Course — Fuji Course

How do I book a tee time at Kawana Fuji Course?

Tee times at the Fuji Course are available to Kawana Hotel guests — book through the hotel reservation system alongside accommodation.

Can you see Mount Fuji from Kawana Golf Course?

Yes — on clear days, Mount Fuji is visible to the northwest from several holes, particularly the 8th and the opening holes. Winter and early spring offer the best Fuji visibility.

How far is Kawana from Tokyo?

Kawana is approximately 2 hours south of Tokyo by car along the Izu Peninsula, or around 1.5 hours by limited express train to Ito station followed by a hotel transfer.

Is Kawana Fuji open to non-hotel guests?

The course is primarily reserved for hotel guests. Visitor access may be possible on quieter days — contact the hotel directly to enquire.