Join certified guide Cheang on a 2-day ice climbing adventure in the stunning landscapes of Hokkaido in Japan. Ideal for beginner climbers, this guided tour will take you to the frozen waterfalls of Sounkyo Gorge, where you'll receive expert coaching and tackle climbs tailored to your skill level.
Private
2 Days
Jan - Mar, Dec
Low
All levels
Just under three hours from Sapporo, Sounkyo Gorge is one of Japan's best ice climbing destination!
You’ll be picked up at Asahikawa station and head to Sounkyo Gorge for warm-up climbs and coaching. Enjoy an easy 2-pitch climb before relaxing in a nearby onsen. The next day, we’ll return for multi-pitch ice climbing or single-pitch with dry tooling or mixed routes. End with another onsen soak before heading back to Asahikawa station.
Beyond the thrill of climbing, the area is rich in natural beauty and wildlife. Keep an eye out for Sika deer as you explore the serene landscapes. Sounkyo remains relatively undiscovered, making it a perfect escape for climbers seeking solitude and pristine ice.
Hone your skills and take on this ice climbing mecca in a unique and unforgettable journey through some of Japan’s most spectacular winter scenery. Just contact me and I'll take care of the rest!
You'll be picked up at Asahikawa train station and driven to Sounkyo, a scenic spot in Daisetsuzan National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll get dressed, pack our gear, and hike to the climbing area.
We'll start with some easy warm-up climbs, where you'll receive coaching tips to sharpen your technique. If you're feeling confident, we can move on to a short, easy 2-pitch climb to prepare for the bigger multi-pitch adventure on Day 2.
After climbing, unwind with a relaxing soak in a nearby onsen bath.
We'll head out from Asahikawa and return to Sounkyo.
Depending on the snow conditions, we’ll either cross the river or snowshoe to the icefall. You’ll have the option to choose from a variety of ice routes, with different difficulty levels to suit your skills.
For those ready for a challenge, we can take on a 4-pitch multi-pitch route that will test even experienced climbers.
If multi-pitch isn’t your style, we can focus on single-pitch climbs with dry tooling or mixed climbing techniques. The day ends with another visit to the onsen, followed by a drive back to Asahikawa station.
Accommodation
Day trips are available, and we highly recommend staying at a hotel near the climbing area for your convenience. I can assist with booking and offer personalized recommendations to ensure you have a comfortable and seamless experience.
More info
Comes dressed for the cold! Hokkaido has a harsh winter and temps can frequently dip to -20c. be prepared to be out for 5-6 hours a day.
Meeting point
5.0
(1)
Rock Guide
Qx is the only AMGA Certified Rock Guide and SPI provider in Asia. Originally from Singapore and have been climbing in Long Dong since 2010. He loves to share his passion for rock climbing through the beautiful coast of Long Dong through adventuring and outdoor education. In 2015, he established the first climbers' hostel around Long Dong, and have since sold the business in 2024. Now with a new team and extended knowledge, on route to be the first certified mountain guide in South East Asia, he will be able to take care of all your outdoor adventures needs in Taiwan! He is working to be the first IFMGA guide in South East Asia and by supporting the business you are helping us to elevate the guide industry standards in Asia.
Languages
English | Chinese
Certificates
AMGA
Shannon
Kelly is an exceptional rock climbing guide! We had no prior experience with belaying / ropes and she made sure to provide us with all the equipment we needed and to give us an introduction of belay devices and how to belay. She was very attentive to our skill level (we had some prior climbing experience in indoor gyms but have never climbed outdoors) and tailored each climb perfectly so that we could gain confidence on the earlier routes and be challenged in a fulfilling way on the latter routes. This personalised experience was what really made the whole trip a success to us! Kelly's expertise in rock climbing, familiarity with the Long Dong area and patient and cheery demeanour made our trip a safe, fun and thoroughly enjoyable one. If Kelly is your guide, you're in good hands! The experience turned out to be everything we wanted and more, we will definitely recommend Kelly and QX to our friends!
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