Visiting the Tokyo Olympic Golf Competition Kasumigaseki Country Club! Highlights and Notes

Kasumigaseki Country Club, the venue for golf competitions at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We visited the general opening event of the golf course co-sponsored by Kawagoe City and Sayama City.

* The photos in this article were taken at the Kasumigaseki Country Club's general opening event “Tokyo 2020 Games Golf Event 500 Days Prior” (organized by Kawagoe City and Sayama City).
Except for demonstrations by athletes, they were allowed to freely photograph the venue.

Japanese

Kasumigaseki Country Club is the golf venue for the 2020 Olympics!

The prestigious Kasumigaseki Country Club, a nationally renowned golf course, has been selected as the venue for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics golf competition.

The golf course spans three cities, Kawagoe City, Sayama City, and Hidaka City. About 79% of the east course, which is the venue for the Olympic Games, is located in Kawagoe City and 21% is in Sayama City.
(Unfortunately, competition is not held on the west course that extends to the Hidaka City side.)

Kasumigaseki Country Club has a long history and was established in 1929 as the first golf course in Saitama Prefecture. In 1932, the West Course was completed. It became Japan's first golf course with 36 holes.

In 1957, it was designated as the venue for the “Canadian Cup Fifth Tournament” (current World Cup tournament), bringing the “Golf Boom” to Japan at that time.

Since 1971, it has become a gateway for young golfers to become professionals as the stage for the Japan Junior Golf Championship.

Just becoming a member is hard! Kasumigaseki Country Club

Kasumigaseki Country Club is a golf course with membership. It is said that it is the most difficult country club to become a member among golf courses in Japan.

In order to become a member of the golf course, you must pass a rigorous screening that is unimaginable. In addition, even if you can become a member finely, the next big wall for “full member” is standing and closed.

Kasumigaseki Country Club membership and play fees (members / visitors)

East course

Kasumigaseki Country Club membership is limited to one generation. It cannot be inherited or transferred, nor is it on the market at all.

The membership fee, annual fee, and play fee (member/visitor) are not disclosed. For this reason, we will refrain from writing a specific number here, but the membership fee alone will cost several million yen.

Looking at these numbers, you might think "What?!" When I first found out, my thoughts stopped.

The quick story is that  Kasumigaseki Country Club is not a golf course for the general public. Therefore, there are a few people who have a negative opinion about the golf course.

However, it is because of this narrow gate that Kasumigaseki Country Club has been able to protect its prestige and tradition as a “prestigious” golf course.

2020 Olympic golf Competition Schedule

West first hole

Based on the world ranking, 60 male and female players will participate in the competition and will perform 72-hole stroke play over 4 days.

• Men: Thursday, July 29, 2021 - Sunday, August 1, 2021
• Women: Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - Saturday, August 7, 2021

What are the highlights of the Tokyo Olympics golf competition?

East 18th hole

When I talked to the players belong to Kasumigaseki Country Club, the player said “I definitely would like you to see the 18th hole on the last day.”

Some players enthusiastically say, “This is the most notable point. There may be some drama on the 18th hole!”

Walking around the Kasumigaseki Country Club East Course (Kawagoe / Sayama side)

The driveway from main gate to the parking lot

On March 18, 2019, the Kasumigaseki Country Club held an event 500 days before the golf competition. Organized by Kawagoe City and Sayama City.

It seems that there were over 1,200 applicants from all over the country who applied in advance. Among them, 465 people who were selected by lottery experienced the tour of the course in the venue.

Demonstration by a player belonging to the Kasumigaseki Country Club in the West Course. Not only men but also women groups and families were there.

The East Course lawn where the Olympic games are to be held have been closed. We visited the course from the asphalt management road.

Perhaps because it was sunny on the day of the visit, I was hot enough to sweat lightly from walking for a long time. There was a tree shade in the middle of the course, but there was a big difference in temperature between the sunlit areas and the shade.

Kawagoe City is expected to be the hottest city in Japan. As already mentioned in Olympic-related news, Kawagoe's measurements against the heat seem to be a troublesome barrier.

East 10th hole

East 10th hole, renowned as “the most beautiful short hole in Japan”. Many men were taking many photos at this place.

There are cherry blossoms and plum trees along the course.

There were some rest facilities such as toilets, but it would be better to be prepared for a crowd  and heavy congestion on the day of the competition ...

East 18th hole

The final 18th hole and flag. Due to the wind direction, the letter “K” is reversed.

End of golf course. Right next door is a private house.

You might be surprised  by the sound of an airplane?

When visiting Kawagoe City and the surrounding area, there are many people who are surprised by the roar of airplanes.  As a local,  I don't think about it anymore ...

In Sayama City, where the Kasumigaseki Country Club is located, there is an Air Self Defense Force Iruma Base. As its name suggests, it is a base where many planes take off and land every day.

Iruma Base and Kasumigaseki Country Club are about 8 km apart. However, when the plane passes over the golf course, the altitude is low, so the flight sound reaches the ground firmly.

For those who live in a similar environment, the level of sound is like "I'm not worried about this at all."

However, if you live in an area where the airport is not nearby, it may take some time to get used to the sound.

Points to note when watching golf competitions

club house

Belongings

A golf competition that follows players and goes around the course. Long-distance traveled on foot cannot be avoided. For this reason, clothes that are easy to move in, shoes that are easy to walk in, and hats that protect against heat are essential items.

In addition, let's drink water regularly to prevent heatstroke. Kawagoe is extremely hot in the summer.

And if you have spare space, we recommend that you bring binoculars.

NG behavior

Any act that interferes with the concentration of players during play is prohibited.

Of course, it is NG to make sounds and move around. Please note that taking photos and videos is also prohibited.

However, if the players play well, send applause and feel free to say “Nice Shot!”

Access to Kasumigaseki Country Club

Access by car

• From Kawagoe: Turn left at Kasahata intersection on prefectural road 15 and 700m away
• From Sayama: 1,400m away from the prefectural road 261 Shimoozawaya intersection

Access by train

15 minutes walk from “Kasahata Station” on the JR Kawagoe Line

Around Kasuga Station-Kasumigaseki Country Club

People tend to think that “the closest station to the Olympic venue must be a big station!” Unfortunately, Kasahata Station is a small single-line station.

There are restaurants around the station, but it’s not so convenient as there are no stores like convenience stores.

Along the prefectural road, there is a “Ozam Value Kasahata store” and Lawson.

Kohangawa is a small river running near the Kasumigaseki Country Club. There is a peaceful landscape around the golf course.

Kawagoe City Recommended accommodation?

Kawagoe Prince Hotel

The JR “Kasahata Station”, the nearest station of the Kasumigaseki Country Club, is connected by the Kawagoe Line to the “Kawagoe Station” by the JR Tobutojyo Line, in the center of Kawagoe City. It takes about 10 minutes.

If you are staying in Kawagoe city, we recommend hotels near Kawagoe Station.

There is a large shopping area in the vicinity of Kawagoe Station, and you can also walk to “Kurazukuri Town”, a famous tourist spot.

Some hotels already have reservations during the Olympics, but rest assured. As of February 2020, there are several hotels under construction near Kawagoe Station.

In other words, there is enough time to consider hotel reservations from now!

Please refer to the following articles for recommended hotels near Kawagoe Station.