Japan partners!

Hello! I live in Okinawa, Japan and I'm looking for partners here or in mainland Japan. I'm looking for partners who also have alpine and moderate multipitch goals.

I'd really like to get out to Ogawayama and climb Gama Route (5.9, 7p) or Selection (5.8, 7p) but there a lot of other great objectives to get after. Let me know if you're interested!

Image is from a Japanese blog I found on Ogawayama

Hi Chris - Wondering if you've made progress in finding decent rock to climb in that area?  I'm planning to be in that area in May/June (2024). Let me know if you're still around or have recommendations for where to find decent crags!

By that area, do you mean mainland Japan or Okinawa? Geographically, Okinawa is far away enough from Honshu, which is where the majority of major alpine and sport crags are located, that they can't really be mentioned collectively as being in the same area. Honshu is your best bet for the widest variety and number of quality climbing routes. However, it is still large enough that you need to specify which area of Honshu you are inquiring about. Chris already mentioned Ogawayama, which is considered the "Yosemite of Japan." The Japanese Alps, which stretch along the length of Honshu, have many excellent summer and winter alpine climbing routes, especially in the Kita Alps (northern section). The Yatsugatake range is also great for that. Tanigawadake is another well-known, popular and rather infamous alpine climbing site. It is notorious for massive rockfall in warmer months and avalanches in winter. There are numerous sport-oriented crags sprinkled throughout, but I'm not about to type them all out for you when Mountain Project literally has an entire section for Japan climbing that you can find with a little initiative. It's been five years since I lived there anyway, so my memory is a bit fuzzy on specifics.

Hey Chris, I will be visiting Tokyo and Shizuoaka this January, I wont have my rack but if you could make it up I’d love to do some climbing with you, if interested send a message and we can discuss details and my past climbing experiences. 

Hey Chris I might be up for some Ogawayama multi-pitch in July.

Anyone interested in ski touring?

I made about 60 routes in Okinawa.  I can give beta.

Living in Suginami, Ogikubo, looking to get a few sports routes and build experience. If anyone is in the area and wants to climb, definitely reach out. To be upfront, I have a lot to learn but I have experience with lead sport. Always room to grow. Would love to do more multi pitch and anything to help build skills to prep for big wall back in the States. I've climbed a few 5.10s in Tonsai, but would feel more comfortable climbing a bit lower. 

I'll join the fray here, will be out in Yokohama May 10-20th, probably looking to climb sometime May 13-15th.  Would love to get out and do some sport or bouldering in Ogawayama or anywhere within striking distance of Tokyo.  I won't have a car but will buy you a beer and pay for gas.  @Nicholas Humphrey not sure if those dates would work out for you.  I have multipitch experience, but won't have any gear.

Another shout out for anyone who fancies doing some routes in Japan in July! Thinking Ogawayama or Mizugaki for the pleasant temps. Trad or sport, up to 5.11, but equally keen for classic 5.8s and 5.9s. Or even a bit of bouldering.

Would be interested to hear about climbing in Hokkaido, if anyone has info. Trying to escape the summer heat!

Hey All!

I'll be getting into Japan at the end of May and staying through June. I'm looking to get out to Ogawayama and any other area with decent weather. Planning on bringing the rope/rack. Let me know if you're going to be around and we can meet up for some climbing!

Hey everyone, sorry I never replied to this thread. I ended up convincing a friend to fly out from California and we climbed many of Ogawayama's single pitch trad and sport routes. We also climbed Eboshi-Iwa (left ridge). I don't think it's on MP but here's a description from the local guide book. It was an a fun ridge traverse with many short pitches. We went in October 2023 and the weather was fantastic aside from a couple rainy days we spent doing normal touristy things. It's a popular spot and we interacted with many friendly Japanese climbers. Not to mention, the set meals at the lodge were fantastic and soaking in the onsen was the best way to relax after a day of climbing. I would go back in a heartbeat! 

Hey Chris, sent you a message.

Bumping the thread as I'll be in Japan for most of July and it would be great to get in a few days climbing if anyone is keen. Ogawayama trad or sport would be great. I can even tolerate a bit of sweaty bouldering