Kasumigaseki East Course
A 1929 inland classic reshaped by Charles Alison and rebuilt by Tom Fazio for the modern game, the East Course at Kasumigaseki Country Club hosted the men's and women's golf at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Par 72 and 7,466 yards of strategic, beautifully conditioned parkland an hour from Tokyo, it is one of the most storied and exclusive courses in Japan.
Photo: Kasumigaseki Country Club via Google, by papio 728.
The verdict
Kasumigaseki Country Club, founded in 1929 in Kawagoe just northwest of Tokyo, is Japanese golf royalty. The East Course is the championship layout of the club's two courses, and its history runs through almost every milestone of the Japanese game, from the 1957 Canada Cup that lit the country's golf boom to the men's and women's competitions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, played in 2021.
What you play today is a careful blend of eras. The original routing was reshaped in 1932 by the great British architect Charles Alison, whose deep, shadowed bunkers were so influential in Japan that the style is still named for him. Ahead of the Olympics, Tom Fazio and his son Logan delivered a comprehensive redesign completed in 2016, converting the old two green system to single greens, repositioning tees and stretching the course to 7,466 yards at par 72. The result is a tournament-grade test that still feels like a classic, and a genuine bucket-list round for any travelling golfer who can arrange access.
Kasumigaseki East at a glance
- Opened
- 1929
- Designers
- Alison; Fazio redesign 2016
- Type
- Inland parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,466 yds
- Access
- Private members club
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club, leading course databases and Olympic records. The East Course opened in 1929, was reshaped by Charles Alison in 1932, and was comprehensively redesigned by Tom and Logan Fazio for the Tokyo Olympics, completed in 2016, to a single green layout of 7,466 yards at par 72. Kasumigaseki is a private members club; there is no public green fee, so always confirm access arrangements directly before planning a visit.
The holes worth the trip
The East Course is a study in restrained, strategic parkland design rather than spectacle, and its defenses are subtle. The Alison bunkers remain the signature feature, deep and steep walled, framing fairways and guarding greens in a way that asks for a thoughtful line off every tee. After the Fazio rebuild the single greens are large, gently contoured and superbly conditioned, putting the emphasis on approach play and angles rather than raw length.
The par 3s are a particular strength and were pivotal in the Olympic competition, demanding precise long irons to well protected targets. The closing stretch was designed to create drama down the back nine, and it duly delivered when Xander Schauffele held off the field for the men's gold and Nelly Korda did the same in the women's event in 2021. Through the seasons the course changes character, from cherry blossom in spring to fiery maple in autumn, but the demand for placement and patience never lets up.
This is not a course that beats you over the head; it rewards the player who plots a way around, respects the bunkering and holes the medium-length putts. For a visiting golfer it is a privilege as much as a test, a chance to walk fairways that have decided championships and Olympic medals.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club, one of Japan's most exclusive; visitor rounds are arranged through a member introduction or an accredited golf travel operator, confirmed well in advance |
| Green fee | No public rate is published; any guest fee is set on a private basis, so confirm directly when arranging a visit |
| Booking | Plan months ahead through a member or specialist operator; weekend access is especially restricted |
| On the day | Caddies are customary and conditioning is immaculate; smart dress and clubhouse etiquette are expected throughout |
| Getting there | Kawagoe in Saitama Prefecture, about an hour northwest of central Tokyo, within reach of Haneda and Narita |
| Best months | Spring, late March to May, and autumn, October to November, for the kindest weather and the famous seasonal color |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; as a private club the tee sheet and any guest fees are not public and change, so always confirm current access and pricing directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visitors base themselves in Tokyo and make the hour's run out to Kawagoe for the round, pairing the golf with the city's restaurants, culture and shopping. The international hotels of Marunouchi, Ginza and Shinjuku are the natural choice for a luxury trip, with car transfers easily arranged to the club.
Closer to the course, the historic town of Kawagoe, often called Little Edo for its preserved Edo period streets, makes a charming half day either side of golf. For a fuller itinerary, Kasumigaseki sits well alongside Japan's other inland gems on a wider tour of the country's best courses.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts for a Tokyo golf trip.
Build a Japan golf trip
We work with accredited operators to arrange access where it is possible, book your Tokyo stay and tee times, and pair Kasumigaseki with the best of Japan's inland and coastal courses. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Kasumigaseki East questions
Who designed the Kasumigaseki East Course and when?
The East Course opened in 1929 and was reshaped by the British architect Charles Alison in 1932. For the Olympics it was comprehensively redesigned by Tom Fazio and his son Logan, completed in 2016, which converted the old two green layout to single greens and lengthened it to 7,466 yards, par 72.
Did Kasumigaseki host the Olympics?
Yes. The East Course hosted the men's and women's Olympic golf at the Tokyo 2020 Games, which were played in 2021. Xander Schauffele won the men's gold and Nelly Korda the women's gold.
Can visitors play Kasumigaseki Country Club?
Kasumigaseki is a private members club and one of the most exclusive in Japan. Visitor play is generally arranged through a member or an accredited golf travel operator, and confirmed in advance. Always confirm access and any fee directly before booking.
Where is Kasumigaseki Country Club?
Kasumigaseki is in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, about an hour northwest of central Tokyo and within reach of both Haneda and Narita airports.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; access notes verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.