FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

You can book easily through our website. Please access our inquiry form and fill the information needed (date, region, preferred course, etc.), and our team will book the course/tee time for you!

No problem if you don't! We help non-Japanese speakers handle all arrangements smoothly.

Our booking team will be happy to provide you with a quotation upon inquiry.

The standard way to play golf in Japan involves a mandatory lunch break after your first 9 holes. However, some courses or specific tee times offer through play (continuous 18 hole play). Here is how they differ:

• Lunch Break (Standard): After finishing the 9th hole, you will pause for a sit-down lunch at the clubhouse restaurant. This break typically lasts between 45 to 60 minutes. Depending on your booking package, lunch may or may not be included in your green fee. If it is not included, you can still enjoy lunch for an additional fee paid directly to the course.

• Through Play (Continuous): This mirrors the traditional Western style of play where you play all 18 holes continuously without an extended break. Through play is less common in Japan and is usually restricted to very early morning "sunrise" tee times, late afternoon "twilight" rounds, or specific courses. Please note that even during through play, you must maintain the course's pace of play and cannot bypass or play through other groups ahead of you.

Absolutely! However, single players are required to be paired with other players to meet the requirement of at least two players per tee time. As not all courses offer tee times for singles, availability is limited

Golf-In-Japan can advise you on how many others have registered prior to your booking, but final confirmation is generally made between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM the day before play (depending on the course). We will notify you at that time if the two-player minimum has been met. Please note that your booking is only confirmed once this requirement is satisfied; if the minimum number of players is not achieved, the tee time will unfortunately be canceled. In this case, we are more than happy to suggest other available options to ensure you still get a round in. A full refund of your pre-paid booking fee will be issued only if a suitable alternative cannot be found.

For those looking for a premium and hassle-free golfing experience, we also provide a Golf Partner service specifically for single players.

Designed for golfers traveling solo, Golf Partner service pairs you with one of our bilingual team members who will play alongside you.

We handle everything from hotel pickup, transport to and from the golf course, so you can focus entirely on enjoying your round.

This option also opens up a wider selection of courses, allowing solo golfers to experience some of the best courses in the Kanto region and around Mt. Fuji.

It’s perfect for:

• Travelers who want to enjoy golf without joining a full group.
• Those seeking a hassle-free, guided day on Japan’s top courses.
• Solo golfers looking for company and local guidance during their round.

Golf-in-Japan has a Golf Partner Service where one of our bilingual team members plays alongside you. This option allows for a wider selection of golf courses compared to playing as a single player. Our booking team will be happy to provide you with a quotation upon inquiry.

• Limited to Kanto (Tokyo area) & Mt. Fuji area

New inquiries submitted through our site before 8:00 AM JST the day before your desired play date may be arranged; however, full payment must be received by Golf-In-Japan at or before 3:00 PM JST on that same day. If payment is not received in a timely manner, we will unfortunately be unable to secure your booking for the following day.

Please note that same-day bookings are not possible, and we strongly advise booking at least two days in advance to ensure a smooth reservation process.

Golf courses in Japan typically release their tee times three months in advance for groups of two or more players. For single players, tee times generally become available one month in advance. We recommend reaching out to us around these timeframes, and we will be happy to assist with your booking.

Our team is available daily from 08:00 to 18:00 (JST). You can expect a response to your inquiry within 24 hours.

Our concierge fee can be paid via PayPal, which supports payments made by credit card or Apple Pay. Once your booking details are finalized, we will provide the necessary payment information to complete the transaction.

You do not need to bring your own equipment, as there are several options available to ensure you are ready for your round:

• Standard Course Rentals: Most golf courses offer rental sets for approximately ¥5,500. Prices and brands may vary depending on the specific location.

• Premium Rental Service: Golf-In-Japan provides premium rental clubs starting from ¥12,000 + tax. We handle the logistics by shipping them directly to your course. Please note that we require at least three days' notice for shipping, and this service is currently unavailable for Okinawa, Hokkaido, or Kyushu.

• Footwear: You are welcome to wear your own clean athletic or tennis shoes on the course. Alternatively, golf shoes can be rented at the clubhouse for ¥1,000 to ¥2,000. Please keep in mind that most courses only stock rental sizes up to 28cm (US size 10.5).

While we do not provide these items for free, they can be purchased at the golf course pro shop for approximately ¥3,000. For your convenience, we also offer our own Starter Kit for ¥5,000 + tax, which includes a ball marker, tees, and three golf balls to ensure you are fully prepared for your round.

Golf courses generally remain open during light to moderate rain, and play will proceed as scheduled. However, in severe weather, such as heavy rain, lightning, snowfall, or typhoon conditions, the course may cancel the round. In these cases, you will not be charged, and any payments made will be refunded. Please note that if you choose to cancel while the course remains open, the golf course will apply a cancellation fee for which you will be responsible.

Spectators are generally not permitted to accompany players for free. If you would like a non-playing guest to join you, you must book a tee time for at least two players, regardless of whether everyone intends to play. Additionally, for safety reasons, most courses do not allow infants on the carts.

We do not currently provide transportation and kindly ask that you arrange your own travel. However, we are happy to suggest the optimal route from your hotel to the course. Generally, the most efficient way to reach most golf courses in Japan is via a combination of train and taxi.

Views of Mt. Fuji are exclusive to courses located in the immediate Fuji area. If you are traveling from Tokyo, please account for a travel time of at least 2 to 3 hours each way. Additionally, these courses typically have their latest tee times around 10:00 AM. Because of the early start and the commute, we highly recommend staying overnight near Mt. Fuji rather than attempting a day trip from Tokyo.

Generally, no. Many prominent private golf courses do not accept reservations from outside agencies or non-members. Playing these courses typically requires an introduction from an active member, or you must play alongside them as their guest.

Courses We Are Unable to Book

For your reference, we cannot secure tee times at exclusive private clubs, including but not limited to:

• Koganei Country Club
• Kasumigaseki Country Club
• Sagamihara Country Club
• Tokyo Golf Club
• Abiko Golf Club
• Yokohama Country Club

Public but Unbookable Exceptions

• Wakasu Golf Links: While technically a public course, it is operated by the local metropolitan government and relies on a strict resident lottery system and direct individual applications. Because of this, outside booking agencies cannot secure reservations here.

If you are planning a golf trip, we would be happy to recommend and book alternative, high-quality courses that warmly welcome outside visitors.

You are welcome to request a specific course through our inquiry form. Please be aware that not all courses in Japan are open to foreign guests, and many are strictly private. Because of these restrictions, we may be unable to secure bookings at certain locations, but we will always do our best to accommodate your request or suggest a suitable alternative.

Closure depends entirely on the region. While courses in Hokkaido and high-altitude areas of Yamanashi (near Mt. Fuji) typically close during the winter due to heavy snow, many courses near the coast and around the Tokyo/Kanto region remain open year-round. If you are planning a winter trip, please contact us and we can recommend courses that stay playable throughout the season.

Green fees in Okinawa generally start at approximately ¥20,000 per person (excluding rental clubs). However, rates can vary significantly depending on the course and the season; many courses often range between ¥20,000 and ¥35,000 during peak periods or on weekends. Please keep in mind that rental clubs, shoes, and meals are typically additional costs.

Please ensure you arrive at the course at least 40 minutes before your scheduled tee time. Punctuality is strictly observed at Japanese courses; if you arrive later than this, the course may cancel your reservation and charge a 100% cancellation fee. Arriving early allows you enough time to check in, change, and prepare for a smooth start.

Most courses observe a smart-casual dress code, which excludes T-shirts, sandals, and open-toed shoes. While jackets are generally not required from June through September, we recommend wearing appropriate golf attire when arriving at and departing from the course to ensure you meet their requirements.

Tattoos must be covered as thoroughly as possible while on the course premises. As long as they remain concealed, you will be able to play without issue. However, please be aware that even with tattoos covered, most golf courses will not allow you to use their communal baths or onsen facilities.

Most golf courses in Japan accept cash and physical credit cards. Please note that contactless mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are generally not accepted at the front desk or automated payment machines.

The payment process typically works as follows:

• During the Round: You will use your locker key number to charge purchases (such as lunch, drinks, or pro-shop items) to your account.

• After the Round: You settle the total bill at the front desk or via a self-service payment machine before leaving the clubhouse.

A standard 18-hole round generally takes between 5 and 6 hours to complete. This timeframe ensures a comfortable pace of play and a smooth experience for everyone on the course.

When booking for two or more players, your tee time is held as a private flight and no other golfers will join your group. If you are booking as a single, you will be paired with other players to meet the course's minimum player requirements.

Most courses do not offer caddie services as an option. In instances where a caddie is available, one is typically assigned to the entire group. Please be aware that caddies in Japan generally speak only Japanese and do not speak English.

Most courses in Japan have very limited or no stock of left-handed clubs. If you are a left-handed player, please let us know as soon as possible so we can find a course that can accommodate you or arrange a rental set through Golf-In-Japan. While courses do not carry kids, junior, or ladies' left-handed sets, we can arrange these for you if you notify us in advance.

If you are traveling with large luggage, please let us know in advance. We can contact the golf course to confirm if they can store it for you at the front desk. In most cases, courses are happy to accommodate these requests for their players.

The fitting cost depends on the shop and the type of fitting. Please inquire with your preferred fitting details, and we’ll provide the exact cost.

Fitting time varies depending on the club and shop. Please contact us with your preferred fitting (club type, brand, and location), and we’ll confirm the estimated time for you.

Yes, we can assist arranging international shipping. Shipping fees vary depending on the destination, so please inquire for more information.

Yes, we can assist with purchasing and arranging international shipping. Our service fee covers handling and shipping only; the cost of the clubs is separate.

We don’t offer consultations or recommendations, so please be certain about the exact model you want. We can check stock with the store upon request.

We can only ship complete clubs, individual parts or heads cannot be purchased separately.

Our service fee (which covers handling + international shipping) depends on the destination:

• Shipping to the US & Australia: approx. 330 USD

• Shipping to Asia: approx. 130 USD

• For shipping to other regions, please contact us for a quote.

This service fee does not include the price of the clubs themselves.