The Japanese golf tourism market is projected to experience steady growth over the next decade. Known for its scenic landscapes and well-maintained golf courses, the market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 1.2 billion in 2025 to USD 2.1 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035. This growth is attributed to Japan’s increasing appeal as a top destination for golf enthusiasts, the expansion of luxury golf resorts, and the nation's growing golf culture among both domestic and international tourists.
The growth in Japan's golf tourism market is driven by rising demand for traditional and modern golfing experiences. Japan offers both classic courses and state-of-the-art facilities, making it attractive to golfers from all parts of the globe. Moreover, Japan's strength in luxury tourism and the further development of golf-related tourism services are further supporting its position as a leading golf destination in Asia.
The following table provides a comparative assessment of the changes in the CAGR for the base year, 2024, and the forecast for 2025, tracking shifts in market dynamics.
CAGR Values for Japan Golf Tourism Market (2024 and 2025)
In the first half of 2024, the Japan golf tourism market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.4%, with an increase to 3.9% in the second half. By 2025, the market is expected to maintain a steady growth rate of 5.5%, with a slight increase to 5.8% towards the end of the year.
Japan's golf tourism Market is an important player in the Asia-Pacific market, driven by domestic and international visitors. Domestic tourists favor iconic locations like the Kawana Hotel Golf Course in Shizuoka, offering breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. International visitors, especially from South Korea and China, are drawn to prestigious courses such as Hirono Golf Club in Kobe.
Key trends include a growing interest in sustainable golf, with resorts in Okinawa implementing environmentally friendly practices. Japan also has the added value of cultural and luxury experiences-for example, golfing at courses surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring or autumn foliage in Hokkaido.
Hosting international tournaments such as the Zozo Championship will increase global recognition and attract golf enthusiasts to Japan. This collaboration of world-class courses, seasonal beauty, and cultural immersion positions Japan as a competitive player in Asia-Pacific golf tourism.
Online Bookings to Lead the Market
The dominant booking method in Japan’s golf tourism market by 2025 is expected to be online direct bookings, commanding an estimated 70% share. The ease and convenience of booking online are increasingly major influences on the shift toward digital booking for both domestic and international golfers. Those, for example, like Golf Japan and Japan Golf Travel provide customers with easy-to-browse options regarding golf vacation packages, specific dates, and instant confirmation from any device. Such ease, accessibility, and self-service propositions attracted followings, which were especially through technology-savvy millennials and international tourists who favor the convenience of online transactions without going through middlemen.
Moreover, increases in Japan's digital infrastructure enable an even easier booking experience online. These customers prefer transparent platforms where prices are stated along with the availability for easy customization as provided by most of the platforms online. Apart from these platforms, there have been a host of mobile apps and user-friendly websites catering for golf tourism needs that simplify and ease booking trip procedures, making exclusive deals a broad attractant for any tourism-related promotional effort.
As such, the category of online direct booking will still be dominated as more people favor speedy, convenient, and personalized arrangements with a minimum use of travel agents.
Corporate Golf Tourism to Lead Group Type
Corporate golf tourism, with a share of 35%, is the most dominant segment in Japan's golf tourism market in 2025. Corporate golf tourism is also growing enormously due to recognition in Japan for the importance of golf as an important tool in business networking and client relations or team-building events. Corporate golf tourism has become a vital part of Japanese business culture where golf is seen as both an entertainment and a nonformal setting for business meetings. Thus, Kawana Hotel Golf Course and The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa, for example, use this as an opportunity to package corporate events as golfing opportunities with luxurious stay, fine dining, and conferencing facilities.
Golf tourism offers the perfect balance of business and leisure for corporate groups, providing an ideal environment to bond and further relationships. Golf courses in Japan can be designed to accommodate more corporate events, offering special tee times, professional tournament-style setups, and custom team-building activities. Last but not least, corporate clients appreciate the level of personalization taken into these resorts, such as customized itineraries and private spaces for events. Corporate golf tourism will continue to maintain the position of the largest segment in golf tourism in Japan in 2025 by the use of corporate retreats, incentive trips, and golf tournaments as the facets of employee engagement and client interaction. The category will grow further with the demand of more sophisticated and impactful business events fusing work with leisure.
The Japan golf tourism market is moderately competitive, combining well-established luxury resorts with regional golf operators offering specialized experiences for various tourist groups. These include, among others, the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Oarai Golf Club, and the Kise Country Club, besides other regional resorts focusing on specific niche tourism segments.
Leading players in the Japan market include the Hyatt Regency Kyoto (20%), Oarai Golf Club (18%), and Kise Country Club (15%), with a growing presence of regional operators offering golf packages focused on luxury, family experiences, and corporate events.
How Small and Niche Players are Performing in Japan Golf Tourism Market
Small niche companies in the golf tourism business in Japan do steady business for domestic and international golfers in search of local, unique experiences. They have thrived from Japan's own golf culture and seasonal beauty together with luxury married to tradition.
For example, Hokkaido boutique golf resorts such as Niseko Village Golf Course focus on peaceful surroundings and luxury service. Since Hokkaido's summers are cool, small operators often focus on all-inclusive packages involving golf, onsen, and gourmet food in a bid to attract visitors wanting relief from warmer Japan regions.
In Kyushu, smaller companies use natural landscapes and volcanic terrain to create very challenging and picture-postcard-looking courses that are aplenty-like Miyazaki and Kagoshima. And most venues will provide or even throw in some of the good old Japanese traditional hospitality, or "omotenashi," designed to ensure tailored services and a fantastic cultural experience.
Small operators are attracting niche markets, such as South Korean and Chinese tourists, who can be marketed with customized itineraries combining golf with sightseeing and wellness activities, like tea ceremonies or temple visits.
While the major players are sweeping international competitions and large-scale tourism, smaller players focus on the niches of exclusivity, sustainability, and local authenticity in creating a profit space within the rising golf tourism in Japan.
