Golf Courses in Nagano

67 highland courses in the Japan Alps

Nagano is Japan’s highland golf prefecture. Courses here sit at altitudes that regularly pass 1,000 metres, ringed by the Northern, Central and Southern Japan Alps, and the summer temperature difference against Tokyo is dramatic enough that Karuizawa has been the capital’s summer retreat for more than a century. The Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Karuizawa in about 70 minutes from Tokyo Station, which makes this the most accessible cool-weather golf in the country — and in October the larch and maple colour is worth the trip on its own.

Golf in Nagano at a glance

GolfMatchy lists 67 golf courses in Nagano. 65 of the courses carry Google ratings, averaging 4.0 across 10,388 reviews. Best season: April to June and September to November — mountain courses shorten at both ends. Most international visitors arrive via Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO).

Why Golf in Nagano?

67 Golf Courses in Nagano

For International Golfers

Karuizawa, Ueda and Nagano are all shinkansen stops, and Karuizawa in particular is walkable-to-shuttle territory for several courses. Elsewhere in the prefecture a car is worth having. Altitude means the season shortens as you climb — low valley courses play most of the year, alpine ones run roughly late April to early November.

More golf in Chubu

Yamanashi (34 courses) · Gunma (41 courses) · Niigata (38 courses) · Nagoya (61 courses) · Shizuoka (60 courses) · Gifu (42 courses) · Ishikawa (32 courses) · Toyama (29 courses) · Fukui (20 courses)

Golf in Nagano: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Karuizawa a good golf destination for visitors?

It is one of the best in Japan. Karuizawa is 70 minutes from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, sits about 1,000m above sea level so summer stays comfortable, and has a dense cluster of resort courses alongside hotels, restaurants and shopping. You can do it as a day trip, but it works better as an overnight.

Does the altitude in Nagano change how the ball flies?

Yes, noticeably. At 1,000m and above the thinner air adds a few percent of carry, so most golfers find they need less club than at sea level. Nagano courses are usually laid out with that in mind, and it is one of the small pleasures of playing here.

How many golf courses are there in Nagano?

GolfMatchy lists 67 golf courses in Nagano. Every one of them can be booked in English through our concierge.

When is the best time to play golf in Nagano?

April to June and September to November — mountain courses shorten at both ends. Weekdays are cheaper and far less crowded than weekends and public holidays in Nagano.

How do I get to golf courses in Nagano?

Most international golfers arrive via Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO). 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 Nagano booking.

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