Ogawayama Rock Climbing

This is Japan's most popular climbing area. Cracks and slab abound in Ogawayama. Hundreds of amazing granite lines and boulders await.

The area began in the 1970s with local climbers and big wall climbing. But what changed this little area in the early 1980s was the free climbing boom. The movement brought about by Yosemite climbers had Japanese climbers exploring cracks as well. In 1981, one of Japan's premiere cracks Ogawayama Layback was born. In 1982, FAs on Imujinkawa and Banana Crack happened as well. In 1986, Japan's first 5.13 was established here as well.

The best source of info for this area in English is ogawayama.com.

In 2020 a guidebook was published for bouldering "Ogawayama Bouldering Area Guide" by Daihold.

Ogawayama is not the easiest place to get around. Here are GPS coordinates for some of the major places.

Tomodachi Iwa / Friend Rock

35.543337, 138.383976, 1607.7,

Saikoro Iwa / Dice Rock

35.543309, 138.384063, 1635.3,

Obasan Iwa / Auntie Rock

35.543168, 138.383832, 1604.3,

Momiji / Maple route

35.543187, 138.383600, 1609.1,

G'day Mate Route

35.543275, 138.383579, 1574.0,

Tajian Route

35.543239, 138.383525, 1571.1,

Hachioji Route

35.543136, 138.383584, 1588.5,

Chichi Iwa Left / Father Rock Left

35.543014, 138.383771, 1634.8,

Ogawayama Story

35.542928, 138.383749, 1639.6,

Mamako Iwa - Mother and Child Rock

35.542955, 138.383548, 1598.5,

Haha Iwa - Mother Rock

35.542812, 138.383593, 1606.0,

Mekake Iwa - Mistress Rock

35.542783, 138.383525, 1595.7,

Chichi Iwa - Father Rock

35.542964, 138.383473, 1581.0,

Paranormal Trail Entrance

35.543361, 138.382544, 1608.9

Bridge　　

35.543880, 138.382448, 1637.2

展望台(東屋）

35.544282, 138.382204, 1687.5

River　　　　

35.544508, 138.382335, 1684.8　 　　　　　　

Omusubiyama Slab - Riceball Slab

35.544846, 138.381745,

Yane Nihou - Roof Rock Two

35.544504, 138.381464, 1693.0

Soramame Slab - Broad Bean Slab

35.544448, 138.381329, 1682.2