Golf courses in Kinki
The easy access to golf courses from where people live is a major attraction
Shiga
Kyoto
Osaka
Hyogo
Nara
Wakayama
: Cart Navigation 
: Shuttle bus 
: Woodland course
: Highland 
: Mountain course 
: Hills 
: Riverside 
: Seaside 
: FW access 
: Remote control cart 
: Cool Cart 
: Night golf 
: Driving range 
: Rental clubs 
: For women 
: For beginners 
: Sauna 
: Hot spring 
: Open-air bath 
: Near IC 
: Near the station 
:Through play 
: For competitions 
: Ocean view 
: Cool in summer 
: Warm in winter
Things you should know about golf in Kinki
Many courses are built into mountainous terrain, offering highly strategic layouts.
The Kinki (Kansai) region is Japan’s second most densely populated area after the Tokyo metropolitan region. Osaka and Hyogo prefectures alone are home to approximately 14.3 million people, with the total population exceeding 20 million when including Kyoto, Shiga, Nara, and Wakayama. Unlike the vast Kanto Plain, the Osaka Plain is only about one-sixth the size, meaning flat land is scarce. As a result, the mainstream style of golf here features courses integrated into varied mountainous terrain, crafted to be highly strategic. This unique culture may stem from the fact that Japan’s oldest golf course, Kobe Golf Club (Hyogo Prefecture), was established atop Mount Rokko in 1903, making mountain-top courses a long-standing symbol of prestige.
The highways from Osaka to Hyogo are the main arteries leading to Japan's premier 'Golf Course Ginza'.
While Chiba is known as the "Golf Course Ginza" (a high-concentration hub) of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Hyogo Prefecture holds that title for the Kinki Area. While the other five prefectures in the region have between 20 and 50 courses each, Hyogo boasts an overwhelming presence with over 150 courses. Naturally, the major expressways running from Osaka toward Hyogo—the Shin-Meishin, Chugoku, and Sanyo Expressways—serve as the vital arteries for golfers. Conversely, in Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, and Wakayama, it is more common for local golfers to enjoy rounds at courses conveniently located near their own homes.
Yamanohara Golf Club is where Hideki Matsuyama celebrated his first victory as a professional.
Among the many courses in Hyogo’s "Golf Course Ginza," Yamanohara Golf Club stands out for its immense popularity and rich tournament history. For 21 years, from 1994 to 2014, it served as a regular venue for men’s professional tours. The 2013 tournament was particularly historic, as it marked the first professional victory for Hideki Matsuyama in his debut year. That same event also saw a legendary performance by the 66-year-old Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, who achieved an extraordinary "age shoot" with a 9-under 62 (on a par-71 course) on the opening day. In the Kyoto and Nara areas, Kamo Country Club is a top favorite. Featuring 36 holes across its East and West courses, it is well-loved by golfers of all skill levels for its versatility and scale.