Parkland · 18 holes · Weekdays from ¥16,000
Request this course →- Japan's first newly built course after WWII (1948)
- 20 minutes door-to-door from central Kyoto
- Compact par-69 heritage layout — perfect for a travel day
Golf in Kyoto sounds like a contradiction — until you discover the Kamigamo course of Kyoto Golf Club, laid out in the hills of the city's northern edge in 1948 as the first course built in Japan after the war. Designed by Shiro Akaboshi, one of the founding figures of Japanese golf architecture, it is a piece of living history twenty minutes from the Golden Pavilion.
At par 69 and 5,910 yards, Kamigamo is compact, clever and quick to play — exactly what you want in the middle of a sightseeing-heavy Kyoto itinerary. Hills frame every hole, the turf has three-quarters of a century of maturity, and the whole experience carries the understated, heritage feel that defines the city itself. Play the morning here, and you can still be walking through temple gardens by mid-afternoon.
Getting there
15 minutes by subway from Kyoto Station to Kitayama, then about 7 minutes by taxi.
Nearest station: Kitayama Station (Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line). We include precise, bilingual directions with every confirmed booking — and can arrange a private car with golf-bag space if you'd rather skip the trains entirely.
Visitor FAQ
Is this course really inside Kyoto city?+
Yes — it sits in the Kamigamo hills on the city's northern edge. Door to door from a downtown Kyoto hotel takes roughly 25–30 minutes.
Why is the course par 69?+
It is a classic compact layout from 1948, shaped to its hillside site. Shorter overall length, but the small greens and slopes provide plenty of challenge — and a round fits neatly into half a day.
Can beginners or casual golfers enjoy it?+
Absolutely. The modest length makes it one of the friendliest quality courses for travelers who play a few times a year, and carts are available.
