Shokawa Kogen Country Club

Shokawa Kogen Country Club sits in the mountainous terrain of Gifu Prefecture, near the historic city of Takayama in Japan's central highlands. Designed by Hasegawa Takeharu, the course occupies elevated ground in a region known for its traditional villages, heavy snowfall, and dramatic seasonal changes. The layout reflects the characteristic approach of Japanese mountain golf, working with significant elevation changes and forested corridors typical of courses built in this part of Honshu during the latter decades of the twentieth century. The routing navigates through terrain that rises and falls across the property, with holes framed by dense stands of trees and views that extend toward the surrounding peaks when the layout opens up. Hasegawa's design incorporates the natural topography rather than imposing extensive earthwork, a common philosophy in Japanese golf architecture of the period. Players encounter a variety of stances and approach angles dictated by the land's movement, with greens positioned to take advantage of natural plateaus and slopes. The course serves primarily a regional membership, drawing golfers from Takayama and the broader Gifu area. Like many Japanese country clubs in mountain settings, Shokawa Kogen operates seasonally, closing during the winter months when snow covers the highlands. The club reflects the traditional Japanese golf experience, where course conditioning and service standards remain central to the member experience, even at facilities outside the major metropolitan areas.