Alexandru Arba
Research expert covering Japan
Golfing in Japan - statistics & facts
Golfing has an exceptional place in Japan’s sports industry, as no other sport has managed to gain such a strong foothold among Japan’s working population. This is especially true for employees in the upper echelons of companies. Golfing was by far the most common hobby among executives, making it the number one corporate sport. However, golfing in Japan is more than just a sport for society's top elites and has been embraced by a significant share of Japan’s more affluent population.
Despite the country’s mountainous topography, business operators managed to squeeze in more than two thousand golf courses spread across the country. Golf courses require a lot of space, and so many of them are located in prefectures bordering Japan’s large metropolitan areas, with Chiba Prefecture, located near Tokyo, and Hyogo Prefecture, located near Osaka, boasting the highest number of courses. The central position of golf in Japan’s sports industry is showcased by the industry segment’s revenues, as golf courses are responsible for the lion’s share of the income generated by sports facilities in Japan.
Another possible reason is the position of golf as a status symbol. Playing golf is expensive, not everybody can afford it. In 2023, golfers spent on average about 180 thousand Japanese yen per year on their hobby, which was by far the highest annual expenditure among practitioners of major sports disciplines. Other than offering an occasion to engage in physical exercise and to spend time in nature, golfing also sets the stage for social interaction, making it the ideal past-time for business networking.
Participation and expenditure
Golf has one of the largest player bases in Japan, numbering in the millions. What reasons contribute to the popularity of this sport? Firstly, golf can be played at any time of the year, as suggested by figures depicting the monthly number of golf course users in most parts of Japan, excluding the snowy northern regions during the winter months. Typically, the peak season is during May and the late autumn months of October and November because of the favorable weather. Secondly, golf can be practiced by most age groups as it is relatively easy on the body at amateur level, making it one of the more accessible sports in terms of physical requirements.Another possible reason is the position of golf as a status symbol. Playing golf is expensive, not everybody can afford it. In 2023, golfers spent on average about 180 thousand Japanese yen per year on their hobby, which was by far the highest annual expenditure among practitioners of major sports disciplines. Other than offering an occasion to engage in physical exercise and to spend time in nature, golfing also sets the stage for social interaction, making it the ideal past-time for business networking.
