Set in the foothills of the mysterious Mount Fuji, the pearl of the Taiheiyo Club is Gotemba, a true championship golf course, Gotemba measures 7246-yards from the championship tees and has a par of 72.
As one of the first courses in the region, Gotemba set the bar for courses that followed, not only in the region but Japan as a hole and continues to do so now.
The design takes advantage of the hillside location, with the inclusion of the river that crosses the course, but water is not abundant with just two further water hazards.
Bunkers are also few, with the courses defence being the many changes in elevation and the unpredictable and changing wind conditions.
All the greens are exquisitely maintained, and present a myriad of challenges, with many greens having multiple elevation changes and tiers.
It is a challenge from start to finish and golfers that are not so experienced should look to play from the forward tees to make the course more playable.
Hard to fault Gotemba is certainly one of the top courses in Japan and it should most definitely be on your list of courses to play if you are visiting Japan to play golf.
The clubhouse facilities are exactly what you would expect from a world-class golf course.
A large driving range and sort game practice facilities complete the offering at Taiheiyo Gotemba Golf Course.