Hi, this is GOLyome.
This time, I played at Furano Golf Course in Hokkaido.
Surrounded by the wide-open nature of Furano, this is the kind of course that really feels like resort golf in Hokkaido. Furano Golf Course has 36 holes, and we played the Palmer Course.
From the forward tees, I found the distance quite comfortable for women. But once I reached the greens, things became much more difficult.
Furano Golf Course – Quick Information
| Location | Yahataoka, Furano, Hokkaido, Japan |
|---|---|
| Access from Tokyo | Fly from Tokyo to Asahikawa Airport, then drive about 1 hour by rental car. From Asahikawa Station, allow about 1 hour 15 minutes. |
| Public Transportation | We traveled by rental car, so we did not use public transportation for this visit. A rental car is the most practical option for this itinerary. |
| Booking | Our tee time was arranged by another member of our group, so we did not personally use an online booking site. Public booking is available through golf reservation services such as GDO. |
| Green Fee | ¥11,500 (about US$72) on weekends and holidays during our visit. Meals were not included. USD conversion: US$1 = ¥160. |
| Rental Clubs & Shoes | Not confirmed during our visit. If you need rental equipment, check availability directly with the golf course before booking. |
| Dress Code | Relaxed compared with many traditional Japanese golf clubs. We arrived in golf wear and did not feel that a jacket or formal arrival outfit was necessary. |
| Tattoo Policy | We did not confirm the golf course bath or shower tattoo policy during this visit. If you have tattoos and plan to use bathing facilities, check with the facility in advance. |
| Membership & Visitor Policy | Visitors can play the course. Special local-resident membership plans and rates may also be available. |
Getting There: About 1 Hour from Asahikawa Airport
We traveled to Furano Golf Course by rental car. It takes about 1 hour from Asahikawa Airport and around 1 hour 15 minutes from Asahikawa Station.
This makes Furano surprisingly realistic even if you are starting your trip in Tokyo. If you take an early-morning flight from Tokyo to Asahikawa, rent a car at the airport, and drive directly to the course, an afternoon through-play round can be possible.
This is one of the big differences between golf in Hokkaido and golf around Tokyo. Through-play is common in Hokkaido, so you can sometimes fit golf into a travel day much more easily.
The nearest expressway interchange is Takikawa IC, but the course is still about 68 km away. For visitors arriving by air, renting a car at Asahikawa Airport is the most straightforward option.
A Mountain-Lodge-Style Clubhouse
The clubhouse uses plenty of wood and has a warm mountain-lodge atmosphere.
It feels very different from some of the more formal golf clubs around Tokyo. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere tells you that this is resort golf in Hokkaido.
The dress code also felt relaxed. We arrived wearing our golf clothes, and there was none of the formal jacket-and-trousers atmosphere that international visitors may associate with some private Japanese golf clubs.
We Played the Palmer Course
Furano Golf Course has 36 holes, and our round was on the Palmer Course.
From GOLyome’s point of view, the forward tees made the course very manageable for women. Before playing, I imagined that a large Hokkaido course might feel extremely long, but the distance was comfortable from the women’s tees.
That does not mean the course is easy, though. The real challenge begins when you reach the greens.
The Greens Are the Real Challenge
The most difficult part of the Palmer Course for me was the greens.
There is plenty of undulation, and where your ball finishes on the green can make a huge difference. It is easy to imagine a comfortable approach turning into a three-putt if you leave the ball in the wrong position.
So while the distance from the forward tees can be friendly for women and newer golfers, the putting is much more demanding. That contrast is one of the things that makes the course interesting.
No Traditional OB, but Watch the Bushes
Another feature that stood out was the thick bush area along both sides of the course.
Instead of traditional out-of-bounds areas, balls entering the bushes can result in a one-stroke penalty. The other problem is simply finding your ball — once it disappears into the vegetation, it can be very difficult to locate.
For beginners, this changes the strategy. Do not assume that you can hit aggressively simply because you do not see conventional OB stakes. Keeping the ball in the fairway is much more valuable than chasing extra distance.
Drive the Cart onto the Fairway
When course conditions allow, golf carts can be driven onto the fairway.
For us, this added to the Hokkaido resort-golf experience. Instead of constantly walking back and forth from cart paths, you can move through the wide course more comfortably.
It is also helpful if you are visiting Hokkaido as part of a longer trip and want to enjoy golf without turning the round into an exhausting day.
Try the Soup Curry for Lunch
For lunch at the clubhouse restaurant, I had one of Hokkaido’s signature dishes: soup curry.
It came with plenty of vegetables and was just right between golf sessions. It became one of the memorable parts of the day, not just something to eat between holes.
If you travel all the way to Furano for golf, it is nice to enjoy something that feels distinctly Hokkaido at the same time.
Lunch was not included in our green fee, but I would happily order the soup curry again.
Check Different Booking Plans Before You Play
The weekend and holiday green fee we confirmed was ¥11,500 (about US$72), with meals charged separately.
Depending on the date and booking plan, lower rates may be available through golf reservation sites such as GDO. There are also special plans aimed at Hokkaido residents.
Our own reservation was arranged by another member of our group, so GOLyome did not personally book this round through an online service. If you are booking from overseas, compare the available plans before choosing a tee time.
Spring Golf in Furano Can Be Very Cold
The golf season in Hokkaido is much shorter than it is around Tokyo. Early spring can still feel like winter.
Around mid-April, temperatures can be as low as 2°C (36°F). If you arrive expecting the same spring weather you would find in Tokyo, you may be surprised.
For early- or late-season golf, bring a windbreaker and warm base layers. Checking the Furano weather forecast immediately before your trip is especially important.
GOLyome’s Verdict
Furano Golf Course gives you exactly the kind of open, relaxed resort-golf experience many people imagine when they think about playing golf in Hokkaido.
The Palmer Course was comfortable in distance from the forward tees, and being able to drive the cart onto the course made the round even more enjoyable. At the same time, the undulating greens and thick bushes on both sides mean that the course still demands accurate golf.
Add the wooden mountain-lodge-style clubhouse and a bowl of Hokkaido soup curry, and the experience feels very different from a typical round around Tokyo.
With Furano Golf Course about an hour by car from Asahikawa Airport, it is even possible to fly from Tokyo in the morning and play an afternoon round. If you are planning a Hokkaido trip and want to include golf, Furano Golf Course is well worth considering.
