The closest golf course from the center of mega city in the world?

Do you know that there is a full-fledged golf course in Koto -ku in Tokyo?  

Yes, there is. It’s called Wakasu Golf Links.

I think it’s one of the closest golf courses from the center of mega city in the world.

It’s only about 10kms from the center of Tokyo. It only takes about 20 minutes from the famous Ginza by the subway and the golf club’s bus.

Where is the golf course located?  It’s located in Tokyo Bay Area. It’s faced Tokyo Bay.

Why is the course located there? I’ll explain the history.

This area was reclaimed land that had been filled with household garbage and other waste over a period of 10 years from 1965 to 1974. Surplus soil from the construction of the Shinjuku New Metropolitan Government Building is also being used.

Golf club’s bus at the nearest subway Station Shin-Kiba

View of the golf course from the yacht harbor

It was opened in Dec. 1990 as Tokyo metropolitan public golf course.

The name is based on the name of a golf course in Scotland, the birthplace of golf.

Wakasu Golf Links is one of Tokyo's best full-fledged golf courses, with a total length of 6,970 yards and 18 par 72 holes in a beautiful location surrounded by the sea on three sides.

Starting place of the front nine

Starting place of the back nine

Although the course is generally flat, the fairways of each hole have large and small undulations, and there are mounds on the fairway sides, making the course highly strategic.

As it is a seaside course, it will be more difficult when the strong wind blows.

Advanced golfers can feel the tension of not allowing mistakes, and women and beginners can enjoy the fun of golf. 

Golfers can also enjoy the wonderful view of Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Bay while playing.

Pictures of the course

You might be surprised that many Japanese golf courses have their gorgeous clubhouse, but this course has only the casual clubhouse because it's a public course.

The view of the club house

The playing fee with a caddie is about 15,000 yen on weekdays and about 24,000 yen on weekends. What do you think of this fee, expensive or reasonable?

How do we book this course?  Reservations are accepted by phone or online from 12:00 on the day one month before playing golf. But. it’s really hard to book the course.  

Even if you make a phone call, it is busy and you could hardly connect. It's the same online.

Wakasu Golf Links is said to be the most difficult golf course to book in Japan.

Recently, it was announced on the website that all reservations will be shifted from first-come-first-served basis to lottery.

I wish we could play golf there with our guests from overseas in the future.

 Official website of Wakasu Golf Links : 若洲ゴルフリンクス公式サイト (golftk.com) 

 (No English version)

By Isao

Let's try Ramen in the "Tangyo" Sanctuary.

 Ramen is one of the most typical dishes in Japan. Have you ever tried it? Ramen is a noodle dish consisting mainly of Chinese noodles and soup, combined with toppings such as char-siu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots, seasoned boiled egg, nori (dried seaweed). 1) Chinese noodles: Should the noodles be thick or thin? Should the cross-sectional shape be round or square? 2) Soup base: Soy sauce or salt? Miso (soybean paste)? 3) Toppings: What to put on top? Each restaurant offers Ramen with its own unique twist. Japanese imported this dish from China and put their own spin on it to make what is one of the fast foods in Japan. There are many types of local Ramen throughout Japan. Tokyo Ramen typically consists of thin, frizzled noodles, chicken broth flavored with soy sauce, and toppings such as char-siu pork, seasoned bamboo shoots, and nori.

Typical Tokyo Ramen

Ramen is very familiar to the Japanese. There is an area in the Kiba/Toyocho neighborhood of Koto-City that offers a unique way of eating Ramen. It is to eat Tanmen and Gyoza (crescent-shaped pan-fried dumplings stuffed with minced pork and vegetables) as a set. It is called "Tangyo" for short. Tanmen is a dish of stir-fried vegetables and pork, simmered in a chicken broth, and served with Chinese noodles.

Ordering Gyoza as a side dish with Ramen is by no means special, but the style of ordering them as Tangyo has been around for a long time and is unique for the reason. I am not sure how this style came about (Although I have looked into it).

Tangyo (Tanmen and Gyoza)

As you can see, it's a very hearty meal! Just order "Tangyo" and you will be one of the locals! Get a taste of Japanese food culture in the Kiba/Toyocho neighborhood of Koto-City, where you will find a several popular restaurants serving Tangyo. Last but not least Japanese people believe that slurping will enhance the taste of noodle and stimulate their appetite. The nearest stations to the Tangyo Sanctuary are Kiba Station (T13) or Toyocho Station (T14) on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.

ATSUGI, Takeshi