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According to research, it's been found that in Japan, golf trips during weekdays with green fees ranging from 70,000 to 80,000 won and self-play without caddies are possible.

Golf platform company AGL revealed information on March 8th for travelers planning free golf trips to Japan. According to AGL, green fees at golf courses in the Kanto region, which are popular among Koreans, average around 85,000 won, and in the Kansai region, they are around 80,000 won. In the Kyushu region, there are many cost-effective courses where rounds can be played for around 70,000 won per person.

Japan has a golf culture where players enjoy self-play with companions without caddies. Many places include cart fees in the basic green fees, allowing for affordable rounds. If carrying a caddy bag during short travel schedules is inconvenient, golf bag sets can also be rented for 3,300 yen (approximately 30,000 won)

This year, over 600,000 Koreans visited Japan in March alone (according to statistics from the Japan Tourism Agency). As a country with the most golf courses in Asia, Japan attracts a significant portion of tourists for golf trips as well. AGL stated that golfers are increasingly taking short trips to Japan over weekends or during short holidays, much like those who visit Japan for udon or ramen restaurants for a day trip.

According to AGL, among Korean travelers who visited Japan in May last year, 29.2% visited the Kansai region, including Osaka. The Kanto region near Tokyo accounted for 26%, and the Kyushu region accounted for 25.6%. Therefore, for golf trips in May and June, the Kanto and Kansai regions could be excellent choices. The average temperature in these regions in May was around 19-20 degrees Celsius, and there was not much rainfall throughout the month.

Especially appealing is the abundance of golf courses near Narita and Kansai airports. Chiba Prefecture near Narita Airport boasts premium courses like Narashino Country Club, which hosts the only PGA Tour event in Japan, as well as Narita Golf Course and cost-effective courses. It's possible to tour multiple courses over the weekend or a short holiday and even explore Tokyo, which is only 1 to 1.5 hours away by car after golfing.

In the Kansai region, various options are available depending on the schedule. Utilizing golf courses near Kansai Airport in Osaka or slightly more distant courses in Kobe or Nara could be good choices.

As golf can be enjoyed year-round, Kyushu is also a popular destination for golfers in May and June. The weather is similar to that of the Kanto and Kansai regions, and the average golf costs are relatively cheaper. Kyushu is well-served by both domestic and international airlines with direct flights to cities like Fukuoka, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Oita, and Nagasaki.

Miyazaki Phoenix and Fukuoka Nijo Golf Course are among the many courses with beautiful scenery and excellent courses. Being close to South Korea, it's easy to plan other sightseeing activities apart from golf within a short period. Japan also offers Hokkaido, perfect for summer, and Okinawa, which peaks from December to February.

With the largest number of golf courses in Asia, golfing is possible throughout the year. However, tee time reservations are not easy due to the high number of local and international golfers visiting Japan. Most golf packages are bundled with other services, making it challenging to book only golf courses. AGL recommends Heytime, a global real-time golf course booking platform.

Sources : JTBC Golf (http://jtbcgolf.joins.com/)

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