What a stroke of luck for our group to have enjoyed cherry blossom along the entire route! We originally expected to see the blooms only in Kobe and Kyoto, but a cold snap two weeks before our trip delayed the blossoms. This meant our group got to view cherry blossoms throughout the whole tour, from Kobe to Kyoto, Mie, and even Tokyo. It felt like the sakura goddess herself blessed our journey, giving us amazing views at every stop, including at some of the golf courses.

The tour started in Kobe, where our group was warmly welcomed at the exceptional Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. Kobe City surprised us with a perfectly timed fireworks display during our welcome drinks and canapés at the View Bar, marking a great start to our journey.

At Arima Royal Golf Club, we had our first taste of the rich customs and traditions surrounding golf in Japan. Playing on the Royal Course designed by Osamu Ueda, the golfers immersed themselves in the elegance of Japanese golfing culture.

Round two took us to the prestigious Rokko Kokusai Golf Club, hailed as one of Japan’s premier courses and the current host of the LPGA of Japan Tour Suntory Open. The East Course presented a formidable challenge, yet the exceptional caddies boosted our golfers’ confidence, and they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.

We visited Himeji Castle, tasted sake, toasted to good fortune and a long life, shopped for bargains at a local golf outlet and walked through Motomachi, with its streets lined with elegant European-style buildings, reflecting the city's history as a port town that was once home to a thriving foreign community.

ARIMA ROYAL GC

ROKKO KOKUSAI GC

SAKE TASTING

HIMEJI CASTLE

Despite the rain, Kyoto's sights were nothing short of amazing. We visited the stunning Golden Pavilion, wandered through the lush Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and admired the vibrant vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine. One highlight was a private night time walking tour through the Gion District, culminating in a visit to Maruyama Park to see the magical weeping cherry tree in full bloom, illuminated by hundreds of lights. We saw it all. We even managed to fit in a kyogashi (traditional Japanese sweets) making class.

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom at Seta Golf Club a 54-hole facility designed by Seiichi Inoue. The group played the North Course - where the U.S. LPGA "TOTO Japan Classic" will be played later this year. The wide fairways made for some thrilling driver shots, but thanks to masterful design it's not as easy as it looks. Water hazards come into play on four holes, and well-placed bunkers added to the challenge.

From Kyoto, we headed to Mie. Our first stop was Ise Jingu, one of the most sacred Shinto shrines, where we paid our respects to the Sun Goddess. Next, we visited the Ama, traditional Japanese female free divers famed for their incredible skills in harvesting pearls and shellfish with just basic diving gear and exceptional breath-holding abilities. In a rustic wooden hut by the coast, the Ama cooked their freshly caught seafood over an open charcoal grill, serving up one delicious dish after another! Our journey continued to Mikimoto Pearl Island, considered the birthplace of cultured pearls. We explored the museum showcasing the history of pearl cultivation and indulged in some pearl shopping at the Mikimoto Pearl Shop. It was a fascinating glimpse into the world of pearl diving and cultivation.

No tour to Japan is complete without a stay in a traditional ryokan, and Umi-no-Chou in Toba provided the perfect experience. The stunning view of Ise Bay, the cherry blossom-laden trees on the drive to the hotel, and the serene onsen with a view created an unforgettable atmosphere. Dining in yukata added a special touch, and the lobster sashimi, rated by many tour participants as their best meal in Japan, was a culinary highlight that will long live in our memories.

Another Seiichi Inoue designed course awaited us in Mie, the Ise Course. It is considered to be the first course in Japan to use two greens per hole, which is still favoured by many clubs today. Rolling across the natural terrain the course had subtle elevation changes throughout, elevated greens and nasty run off areas for those who did find the fairways.

OTT at ISE GC

Not only did our luck hold with the cherry blossoms, but even Mount Fuji made a stunning appearance, peeking through the clouds as we gazed out the windows of the shinkansen on our way to Mishima Station. Playing at Taiheiyo Gotemba was an absolute treat. Designed by Shunsuke Kato, this course is rated as the #1 course to play by Par Golf, Japan’s leading golf magazine.

The tour concluded in Tokyo, but not before we immersed ourselves in the vibrant energy of this bustling city. We visited the iconic Tokyo Skytree, explored the historic Asakusa district, some bar-hopped through lively neighbourhoods, others learned to make sushi, and even embarked on a fun "mamachari" cycling and food tour!