Ice Climbing in Hokkaido: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You
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(15 reviews)
Conquer the island packed with volcanic peaks and sublime mountainside
The Japanese island of Hokkaido is home to some of the best ice climbing routes in the whole country. Rugged in nature and packed with mountains and volcanos culminating in the center of the island, climbing here is focussed around intermediate climbers. Hokkaido is home to the country’s coldest region, featuring cool summers and icy winters, creating ideal conditions for wintry climbs. Visit between December and February for ideal ice climbing conditions.
Top ice climbing trips | Hokkaido
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FAQs: Ice Climbing in Hokkaido
What should I know about Ice Climbing Hokkaido?
Hokkaido is the second largest island of Japan lying in the far north. The core of the island is populated with mountains and volcanoes. One particular striking peak is that of Mount Rishiri. Its striking cone-shaped summit really resembles Mount Fuji. Rising to 1,721 meters above sea level, it’s not a very high mountain yet it does present many challenges with its steep and rugged features.
Why should I choose Hokkaido for my Ice Climbing adventure?
Quality ice climbing
The strong Japanese winter brings flurries of snow and settled ice. All of which make for ideal ice climbing conditions. Huge walls of ice and frozen falls pack the central areas of the island. And it’s not just the interior that offers breathtaking climbs. The coastal areas provide their own particular beauty with views of the Sea of Japan.
Wilderness
The brown bear flourishes in the mountains of Hokkaido, where there are 3 subspecies. In fact, the island is home to the most brown bears in Asia outside of Russia. Other animals include the Hokkaido Sika deer and the Ezo red fox, as well as the Eurasian red squirrel and white-tailed eagle, which is nationally protected as an endangered species.
Isolated island culture
The island of Hokkaido has a distinct history compared with the country’s largest island of Honshu. Hunting and fishing dominated the wild areas of the island, which were populated by the indigenous Jomon people. Their centuries-old tradition and beliefs still survive today, which centres around the harmony of nature.
What can I expect from the weather during my Ice Climbing trip in Hokkaido?
The island of Hokkaido is one of the coldest areas in Japan. It has an average daily high temperature of 11 degrees centigrade.
Which language is predominantly spoken in the Hokkaido region?
Japanese.
What currency is accepted around Hokkaido?
Yen.
What's the country code for the Hokkaido region?
+81.
When is the best time to travel to Hokkaido for Ice Climbing?
Visit between December and February for ideal ice climbing conditions.
What people are saying about Ice Climbing | Hokkaido
Nikolas
Great, experienced guide. Very knowledgeable and professional and had a great time. Would definitely recommend.
Thanks so much to my guide Takao! I had so much fun ice-climbing in Sounkyo. I would definitely like to do it again and will happily recommend this experience to other people! Hopefully I’ll come back next year!
Peter
Great trip - poor weather. Excellent guide!
Robyn
We had a wonderful time ice climbing despite some rather crazy weather conditions! Takao was great company, very clearly experienced in the area and equipped with all necessary equipment. He was always on time and made exceptional efforts to get us out to the ice and back safely to Sapporo. The onsen, river crossing and thigh-high snow trek were as important as the actual climbing to the whole experience. We highly recommend and hope to be back to the area for summer climbing!
Daniel
It was a really great experience and good for technical knowledge. He picked us up on time and was flexible with our schedules. The climbing itself was amazing and challenging. Beautiful scenery and the walk in to the waterfalls were interesting.
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