The Best Golf Awards Japan · 2026 Guide 2026
The Inaugural Gala · Japan Edition

13 – 14 November 2026
Kobe, Hyogo

Two days in the Kansai. A symposium of the Academy, a walking foursomes over Hirono, an hour of tea at Naruo, and the first Best Golf Awards gala — held in the city that effectively introduced golf to mainland Japan a century ago.

Venue Kitano Hotel · dinner · walking match the next morning at Hirono Dress Black tie · kimono and yukata equally welcome Capacity 80 by invitation
Program

Two days. Eight sessions.

Day One · 13 November

Symposium
  • 14.00
    Symposium opens
    Welcome from the Founders. A first reading of the Japan Atlas.
  • 15.00
    On Alison in Japan
    Akira Nakamura and Hideo Tanaka in conversation about Charles Alison's 1930's commissions.
  • 17.00
    On Walking
    The routing of the modern Japanese course. Hosted by Kenji Yamashita.
  • 19.30
    Founders' Dinner
    Private. Academy and invited guests at the Kitano Hotel, Kobe.

Day Two · 14 November

Invitational · Gala
  • 07.30
    The Inaugural Match
    A walking foursomes match over the South Course at Hirono. Forty places.
  • 14.00
    Press conference
    Japan Atlas 2026 released to the world. Live from the Hirono clubhouse.
  • 17.00
    Tea at Naruo
    A quiet hour at Naruo Golf Club before the gala.
  • 19.00
    The Awards Gala
    Nine awards. One Atlas. Black tie (kimono and yukata equally welcome).
Future Editions

A rotation around the country.

  • 2027 Tokyo · Saitama November 2027
  • 2028 Otaru, Hokkaido September 2028
Inaugural Partners
Maison Garamond
Suntory Hibiki
Selvaggio Cashmere
Audemars · Geneva
House of Atlas
Cobalt Travel
Greensoil Agronomy
Fairway Capital

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