Last week Japan exhibited at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in Belek, Turkey. Despite a tough year for the tourism industry, the 14th edition of the IGTM opened on 14 November with over 1,200 attendees, including 450 exhibitors and 350 buyers.

“In recent years, Japan National Tourism Organization has run promotions for skiing in Japan and Japan’s tropical Okinawa islands. Moving forward we’d next like to introduce the world to golf in Japan. Our first step in doing this has been to exhibit at IGTM, the premier event for the golf travel industry”, said Kylie Clark, Head of PR & Marketing, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).

Japan has a staggering 2,400 golf courses. The USA is the only country in the world with more golf courses than Japan. Japan’s golf courses are known for their beauty, high strategic characteristics and perfect courses maintenance. Many of Japan’s golf courses are of high international championship standard.

Japan is an archipelago of islands stretching some 3,000km from north to south, and weather varies greatly depending on where and when you will be travelling. You will find great golf courses any time of the year throughout Japan. Play comfortable golf in the summer in Hokkaido, play warm golf in the winter in Kyushu and Okinawa.

In August this year, Peter Walton, Chief Executive of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) visited Japan.

“Japan is in a very lucky situation. It has a wonderful golf destination, but it’s totally undiscovered. It’s great value for money. Some of the best golf you’ll play any where in the world and such wonderful combinations with culture and environment and some of the best food and wine and sake you’ll ever have.

There is a common perception that golf in Japan is expensive, but in fact, particularly in Hokkaido, the green fees vary enormously and perhaps most interesting of all is that the restaurants, bars and other commodities are reasonably priced and deliver a value for money that will pleasantly surprise many!”, said Walton on his visit to Japan.

JNTO admits that the perception that golf in Japan is expensive and that golf clubs are difficult to access due to strict membership rules has until now probably put UK tour operators off selling golf in Japan. However, green fees in Japan start from just 4,000 yen (£33) and, with the exception of just a few courses, always welcome visitors.

Jet and Sports is the leading and largest golf tour operator in Japan. Their experienced staff can organize golf trips in every part of Japan - be it a day trip out of Tokyo to play golf by Mt. Fuji; a dedicated golfing holiday along Japan’s golden route (Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto); or a sun and golf break in Japan’s tropical Okinawa islands.