Golf Courses in Iwate

27 courses across Japan’s largest prefecture outside Hokkaido

Iwate is the biggest prefecture in Honshu and one of the emptiest, which shows in its golf: wide resort courses cut through birch and pine at Appi and Hachimantai, with Mount Iwate on the horizon. It doubles as a ski region, so several courses belong to four-season resorts with hotels, onsen and English-speaking front desks already in place — unusually convenient for a rural Japanese golf trip. Morioka is a two-and-a-quarter-hour shinkansen ride from Tokyo.

Golf in Iwate at a glance

GolfMatchy lists 27 golf courses in Iwate. 26 of the courses carry Google ratings, averaging 4.0 across 4,113 reviews. Best season: late April to early November — highland courses can freeze outside it. Most international visitors arrive via Sendai Airport (SDJ).

Why Golf in Iwate?

27 Golf Courses in Iwate

For International Golfers

Morioka is the hub — about 2h15 from Tokyo by Tohoku Shinkansen — with resort shuttles running up to Appi and Hachimantai. Resort courses are the simplest option for visitors because everything is on one site. Expect a season from late April to early November; the higher courses close first.

More golf in Tohoku

Akita (28 courses) · Miyagi (34 courses) · Aomori (25 courses) · Fukushima (32 courses) · Yamagata (31 courses)

Golf in Iwate: Frequently Asked Questions

Are there golf resorts in Iwate where I can stay on site?

Yes. Iwate’s ski areas around Appi and Hachimantai operate as year-round resorts, so several courses sit next to a hotel with an onsen and staff used to international guests. That makes a two- or three-night golf stay much simpler here than in most rural Japanese prefectures.

How long does it take to reach Iwate from Tokyo?

About 2 hours 15 minutes to Morioka on the Tohoku Shinkansen, then 30–60 minutes by resort shuttle or car to the main golf areas. It is a long day trip but an easy overnight, and the shinkansen runs frequently enough to leave Tokyo early and play the same afternoon.

How many golf courses are there in Iwate?

GolfMatchy lists 27 golf courses in Iwate. Every one of them can be booked in English through our concierge.

When is the best time to play golf in Iwate?

Late April to early November — highland courses can freeze outside it. Weekdays are cheaper and far less crowded than weekends and public holidays in Iwate.

How do I get to golf courses in Iwate?

Most international golfers arrive via Sendai Airport (SDJ). Many Japanese courses run a free shuttle from the nearest train station, and GolfMatchy sends the closest station, shuttle details and directions with every confirmed Iwate booking.

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