Spas in Dense Forests Are Paradise for Golfers

Located at the center of the Japanese Islands, Mie Prefecture is a tourist site with a thousand attractions. This can be attributed to the ever-changing weather there, due to the prefecture’s vertical angle along the Kii Peninsula, which protrudes into the Pacific Ocean.

The southern area exhibits exotic features and is covered by subtropical vegetation, while the eastern area consists of a unique mixture of Ise Plains and Ise-Shima National Park. The northern area is acclaimed for the quality of its ski areas in the Suzuka Mountains that tower 1,000 meters above sea level.

Mie Prefecture belongs to Japan’s Kansai region, which was the center of Japan before the capital was moved to Tokyo about 130 years ago. This explains the abundant ancient cultural relics of this region. The Ise Grand Shrine is representative of this history. The sun goddess Amaterasu-omikami is enshrined here, attracting over 6 million tourists yearly. A spa resort, the Hakusan Cocopa Resort, is also a popular site. One of three renowned hot springs in Japan, Sakakibara Spa area is also a well-known attraction. With numerous golf courses, it is also an optimal family travel site.

The Three Spas-

Cocopa Resort is on the outskirts of Tsu City, where the Mie prefectural government is located. The resort commands a great view, surrounded by dense woods. In this resort, three different hotels were noticeable.

The Chateau Phoenix Hotel is located on the mid-slope of a mountain, giving it a good view. It is a Hawaiian style resort hotel, with an exotic and antique touch to it. Another hotel is the cylindrical looking Azalea Hotel, which was designed after an azalea flower leaf. All rooms command views of the wide and green golf course’s fairway. There are only 6 rooms per floor, and the hotel is widely used by family visitors. The last hotel is a log cabin called The Cottage. It stands on the side of a golf course where green grass unfolds like the ocean. The rooms are either double rooms for couples or rooms accommodating four people, with karaoke systems included. The quarters are both comfortable and elegant.

The Chateau Phoenix and the Azalea are both furnished with spa facilities. The Sakakibara Spa is abundant in sulfur, which is effective against skin diseases or female disorders. The central spa at the Chateau Phoenix Hotel was especially impressive; once in the outdoor spa, splendid scenery unfolds its symphony by the fairway and the dense forest.

The Azalea Hotel has an indoor spa, furnished with bathing and swimming facilities for all seasons. The hotel also provides a fitness center, tennis court, golf practice range (free of charge), and massage center services. Hiking or biking are also major themes of this resort. A bike ride around the resort after a bath will refresh your mind, with the forest and valleys surrounding your path. During nighttime, a special gift is prepared: Stars light up the skies and fireflies light up the paths.

Three Golf Courses Within a 5-20 Minute Walk-

The core leisure activity of Cocopa Resort is golf. The three golf courses are Hakusan Village Golf Club, Mie Hakusan Golf Club, and Phoenix Golf Club. They are all within a 5 to 20 minute walk.

Among the three, Hakusan Village Golf Club (36 holes) is the largest, with four 9-hole courses designed to integrate the surrounding mountain scenery and geographical aspects. This course is the course that can be seen from the Azalea Hotel’s rooms and the swimming pool.

Mie Hakusan Golf Course is a luxurious 18-hole course with a total of 7015 yards in driving distance. Rounding the course and looking down the beautiful Aoyama plateau is an absolute pleasure. The course is also used for hiking trails, due to its fluctuating elevation.

The Mie Phoenix Golf Course exhibits a southern exotic atmosphere with palm trees decorating every hole. A slightly bitter glass of beer at the outdoor spa after a round of golf: what more could you possibly want? There is also a must-have at the Chateau Phoenix Hotel. It is the Matsusaka beef, which is renowned for being a favorite of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The dish is considered to have reached an ‘artistic level.’ Shabu-shabu is the representative dish made of this beef. Ise shrimp, another specialty of Mie Prefecture, is served with shabu-shabu.

The Azalea Hotel’s French restaurant and iron plate fried dishes are also recommended. The first floor restaurant allows guests to enjoy dinner while enjoying the sunset through glass. The wine variety is also excellent.

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