Originally founded within Karuizawa, the Karuizawa Golf Club moved to its current home in the pristine forests outside the famous resort town during the 1930s. Today’s member’s golf on a track that hosts fewer than 10,000 rounds per year, the club closed during the winter months and with little outside play during the warmer seasons.

Generally the condition of the course is really good, but the layout itself is quite basic. There are lots of generous landing areas, flat fairway lies and greens surrounded by either flat, easy chipping areas or shallow sand traps. Driving into corners to obtain a preferred angle, or taking on hazards to reduce the difficulty of a subsequent shot are not really an issue here.

The club itself is very private and there is a classic British feel here thanks to a graceful and understated club atmosphere. Sadly despite such a good grounding, for serious golfers or design aficionados there is little to recommend.