Climb a rock for the first time at the climbing gym Canyon's rock experience session! A thrill and a wonderful sense of accomplishment in an extraordinary world!

Canyon is a climbing gym located in Asahi Town, northern AsahiTown Prefecture.
At this facility, which provides particularly strong support for beginners to intermediate climbers, we hold a series of events such as Tsubaki Rock in SuzukaCity and other climbers several times a month in order to let people know the fun of climbing not only indoors but also outdoors. We are holding "Rock Experience Sessions" at rocky spots in the prefecture such as Shirakura in TaikiTown!

Do you think, "You can't climb a rocky area unless you're an advanced climber?"
No, actually, it's a sport that even beginners can enjoy!
So, I decided to try it right away!

The climbing point this time is Tsubakiiwa in SuzukaCity. Tsubakiiwa is a rocky area located at the foot of Mt.Gozaisho Nyudogatake.

Arrive at the meeting place, Ogisu Keiyama House!
There is also a lodge-style restroom, so use the restroom here.

Rocky areas are places that climbers have spent many years exploring.
There are rules and etiquette for use, so be sure to check them in advance and strictly follow them.
If everyone follows the rules, such as not throwing away trash, strictly prohibiting fires, and not causing a nuisance to the neighbors, we can continue to use the rock area.

Feeling grateful to the pioneers, we climbed the mountain for 15 minutes to reach our destination, a rocky outcrop. Finally, we climbed a slightly steep mountain road to arrive!

A huge camellia rock appeared in front of me!

When I was dumbfounded and asked, ``What, are you going to climb here...?'' Mr. Shimizu from the climbing gym Canyon started to explain about climbing.

``Of course, this is a sport where even a single mistake (slip and fall) is not an option, so we take every precaution to ensure safety!'' says Shimizu.
Rope climbing is a sport in which a climber (the person climbing) and a belayer (the person who secures the rope below), who are connected to each other by the same rope, form a pair to climb the mountain for the first time.
Belayers also have an important role to play, requiring them to learn securing techniques to stop their partners from falling.
You have to constantly watch the climber climb, which requires a lot of concentration, so it's no good to talk to him while he's belaying!

There are two ways to climb outside rocks: ``lead climbing,'' where you pass the rope yourself through a number of fulcrums on the rock wall, and ``lead climbing,'' where you climb with the rope's fulcrums secured at the top in advance and have a belayer below support you. There are two styles of climbing: top rope climbing.

This time, we will be doing top rope climbing, which even beginners can enjoy safely!
Even if you let go of the rock, or if you reach the limit of your physical strength and let go of the rock, you will not fall.

First, in preparation, Shimizu-san will string out the rope.
Mr. Shimizu climbs up smoothly. Just amazing!

By the way, the things you need for rope climbing include climbing shoes, a rope, a harness (safety belt), belay gloves, and a chalk bag. These can be rented.
All you need to do is prepare clothes, shoes, and a helmet for safety.

Tsubakiiwa is also one of Japan's 100 rocky areas, and a route has been created in advance by pioneers. Numerous bolts were driven into the rock, creating a course for each level.

This time, we will try the beginner's course!
Just before climbing, securely attach the rope to your harness, put on your shoes, and you're ready!

Mr. Shimizu taught us tips on how to climb and points to be careful of, and we started climbing!
A model who has experience at a bouldering gym (there was a gap of about 2 years), but this is her first time on an outside rock, will be taking on the challenge!

When climbing, place your hands and feet on small protrusions or depressions (=holds) in the rocks.

The rock quality of Tsubaki Rock is limestone. It is characterized by its varied holds that have been eroded over many years.

I thought climbing would require a lot of physical strength, but it's also a sport that also uses your brain. We will climb with "full concentration", thinking about how to use our bodies and balance!

Although the model who is taking on this challenge has experience at a bouldering gym, she cannot follow the same basics as at a bouldering gym. Raw rocks have a different feel than the gym, so there are times when you have a hard time.
The time I spend thinking about how I can climb the mountain takes more and more of my strength away.

Mr. Shimizu, the belayer, is always giving advice and advice, and everyone around him is in support mode!

There are some points along the way that you just can't climb, and you can't help but cry out, "That's so bad!"

While taking a break, I used the frustration of not being able to climb as a springboard to push harder!
I managed to clear the first challenge!

When descending, the belayer will control the rope and lower you to the bottom, so you can slowly descend while checking the bottom as if you were walking on a rock.

Approximately 15 minutes per attempt. It is said that by the time you get off the mountain you will have exhausted a lot of energy and it will take you over an hour to recover. That alone proves that the concentration and physical strength you put into it at a single time is beyond your own limits!

"While you're taking a break, it's a good idea to look at how other climbers climb," says Shimizu. How do you climb where you struggled, and where do you place your feet? How do you use your body? Such. This is also research!

Second try after the break!
I was able to accomplish this much faster than the first time! You won't be able to climb this high at a climbing gym, so the sense of accomplishment when you climb is amazing!

We asked Mr. Shimizu why he started the rock experience event!
"When I was told to climb this rocky slope, everyone said, ``There's no way I can do that!''
You think so! ? But if you try, you can do it! I want to create an environment where more people can experience that sense of accomplishment! ” he said.

At a time when rock climbing wasn't that popular, Shimizu himself was in an environment where he couldn't climb rocks even if he wanted to, and it was sometimes difficult to find a partner (belayer). Nowadays, there is a climbing boom, and by participating in rock experience sessions like Climbing Gym Canyon, anyone can try their hand at it.
I've always wanted to climb a rock like this! I want to try it once! If that's the case, you should definitely try asking Mr. Shimizu.

If you have no climbing experience, or if you are worried about suddenly trying out a rocky area, we recommend that you try practicing at a climbing gym first!
Knowing your own level will help you find a course in Sotoiwa that suits your level.

At Climbing Gym Canyon, we also offer trial climbing so that even first-timers can try their hand at it with confidence.

*In response to the coronavirus pandemic, private use is also available.
You can minimize the risk of infection if you rent it out exclusively with your family (friends only).
Reservations are required and can be made between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Price: 1 hour 4,000 yen~, 2 hours 6,000 yen~

This was my first time experiencing a rocky area.
I was able to enjoy the thrill that I would never experience in everyday life, and the experience and sense of accomplishment of challenging myself to the very limits and overcoming them!

climbing gym canyon
Address 468-1 Oaza Kaki, Asahi-cho, AsahiTown Mie 510-8103
Phone number 059-377-2322
Official URL https://www.climbingcanyon.com/
Business hours Weekdays: 17:00-22:00 Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 10:00-20:00
Closed on Tuesdays
Fee
Bouldering gym experience available from 500 yen
Rocky experience session 2000 yen + transportation expenses
Access by public transportation
・15 minutes walk from Asahi Station on the Kansai Main Line/Ise Asahi Station on the Kintetsu Nagoya Line