Golf in Hokkaido
Season dates, a Pete and Perry Dye course north of Sapporo, and the rules to check before you fly
Season dates, a Pete and Perry Dye course north of Sapporo, and the rules to check before you fly
Quick answer
Elite Golf Japan lists two Hokkaido courses. Bibai (GOLF5 Country Bibai Course) is a 27-hole Pete and Perry Dye design north of Sapporo, about 1 hour 20 minutes by JR from New Chitose Airport plus a 12-minute taxi. The course fully opened for the 2026 season on April 25. Hokkaido Classic Golf Club requires foreign nationals to play with one of its members. Check each course’s dates for your trip before booking flights.
Last updated: 2026-10-19
In 2026, Bibai offered limited play on April 11–12 and 18–19 before opening fully on April 25. Niseko Village Golf Course listed May 15 to September 30, while Niseko Golf Course listed April 24 to November 8. Confirm the dates for your chosen course before booking flights.
| Course | 2026 dates published by the club | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bibai (GOLF5 Country Bibai Course) | Play without caddies on April 11–12 and 18–19; fully open from April 25. In winter the site runs as a snow park. | Opening notice, club site |
| Niseko Village Golf Course | May 15 to September 30 | Niseko Village |
| Niseko Golf Course | April 24 to November 8 | Niseko Village |
Considering the far south as well? See our Okinawa golf guide. For how far ahead to book, see when to book golf in Japan.
We list two: Bibai and Hokkaido Classic Golf Club, which requires foreign nationals to play with a member (next section). Bibai, officially named GOLF5 Country Bibai Course, is a 27-hole layout by Pete Dye & Perry Dye across East, Central and West nines, with seven lakes and an island green on the East 8th. According to the club, it sits beside National Route 12, just under an hour’s drive from Sapporo.
Green fees. For groups of three or more, the club’s published visitor rates per person are ¥7,000 on weekdays and ¥12,500 on weekends and public holidays without a caddie, or ¥11,400 and ¥16,900 with one, tax included. Twosomes pay a surcharge (club fee page, checked 2026-10-19). You pay the course on the day in yen. Our booking fee is US$60 for a solo golfer, US$90 for two or three, US$120 for a foursome, and US$30 per golfer for groups of five or more, charged only after your tee time is secured.
Dress. The same page asks players to wear a jacket to the club except in summer (July to September).
Staying on site. The club rents accommodation for up to three guests per unit, with bath, toilet and Wi-Fi (club site). Book it directly with the club.
Yes, but only with a member. The club’s fee page states that foreign nationals must be accompanied by a member to play (Hokkaido Classic fees). The course is in Hayakita, Abira (club address).
It is on our course list. If you are a foreign national, plan to play it only with one of the club’s members.
By train, take JR from New Chitose Airport via Sapporo to Bibai Station, then a taxi. By car, take the Doo Expressway to Bibai IC. These are the times the club lists (Bibai access page):
| From | Route | Time listed by the club |
|---|---|---|
| New Chitose Airport Station (train) | JR via Sapporo to Bibai Station, then taxi | About 1 hr 20 min by JR, then 12 min by taxi |
| Chitose IC (car) | Doo Expressway to Bibai IC, then about 10 minutes to the course | About 1 hr 10 min; add the drive from the airport to Chitose IC |
| Sapporo IC (car) | Doo Expressway to Bibai IC | About 40 min to Bibai IC, then 10 min |
The club’s access page lists no shuttle bus, so plan on a taxi from Bibai Station or a rental car. Without a Japanese license, you need a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit or, depending on where your license was issued, your foreign license together with a Japanese translation (National Police Agency). The details are in getting to golf courses from Tokyo.
Their seasons differ. Niseko Village lists May 15 to September 30, 2026 for Niseko Village Golf Course, and April 24 to November 8, 2026 for the Arnold Palmer-designed Niseko Golf Course (Niseko Village green season). Niseko’s courses are not on our course list, so book them directly with the resort.
Renting means you don’t have to transport your own clubs. We can have rental clubs delivered to the course; round-trip delivery to Hokkaido adds ¥5,522. Contact us before paying to confirm the deadline for your rental date.
If you bring your own clubs, a courier such as Yamato’s Golf Takkyubin delivers to the course by the day before play. Yamato asks you to ship no later than two days before play, or three days for some areas, so confirm the deadline for your route before arranging shipment (Yamato Golf Takkyubin).
Elite Golf Japan lists two Hokkaido courses. Bibai (officially GOLF5 Country Bibai Course) is a 27-hole Pete and Perry Dye design north of Sapporo. Hokkaido Classic Golf Club states on its fee page that foreign nationals must play with a member.
It depends on the course. In 2026, Bibai offered play without caddies on April 11–12 and 18–19 and opened fully on April 25. Niseko Village Golf Course listed May 15 to September 30, and Niseko Golf Course listed April 24 to November 8. Check the dates for the course you want before booking flights.
The club lists about 1 hour 20 minutes by JR from New Chitose Airport Station to Bibai Station via Sapporo, then a 12-minute taxi. By car, it lists about 1 hour 10 minutes from Chitose IC on the Doo Expressway, plus the drive from the airport to the interchange.
For groups of three or more, the club's published visitor rates per person are ¥7,000 on weekdays and ¥12,500 on weekends and public holidays without a caddie, or ¥11,400 and ¥16,900 with one, tax included. Twosomes pay a surcharge. Green fees are paid at the course in yen. Our booking fee is separate and charged only after your tee time is secured: US$60 for a solo golfer, US$90 for two or three, US$120 for a foursome, and US$30 per golfer for groups of five or more.
No. Niseko’s courses are not on our course list, so contact the resort directly to book them.
Send your dates and group size for Bibai. We reply within 12 business hours (JST 9:00–18:00).
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