10 Classic Alpine Climbs of Japan

With many mountains over 3000m above sea level, the alpine ranges of Japan’s main island of Honshu are home to some of the most varied and beautiful alpine climbing routes in the world. From soaring razor-sharp rock spires on Mt Tsurugi, to spring cornices like whipped cream on Mt Shirouma, and into the icy deep freeze of Mt Kaikoma in winter, Japan has big routes for all seasons. And yet surprisingly little is known about the mountains or the routes in the English language… until now. “10 Classic Alpine Climbs of Japan” is the first book by Tony Grant in the ‘Climb Japan’ series, his ongoing project to unlock the mountains of Japan to foreign climbers. Following extensive alpine climbing experience in Japan, these routes represent his selection for the ten finest, almost all ending on major summits above or around 3000m. In these pages you will find all you need to know to access and climb the routes. Place names are written in Japanese kanji and English alphabet, and the descriptions are illustrated with the author’s beautiful colour photographs. The book also contains a host of extra information to enrich your experience of Japan’s mountains, from some of the unique indigenous wildlife, to Japan’s famed volcanic hot springs, and a glossary of Japanese mountain words. This book is the first of its kind in the English language, and the author hopes it will provide both a framework for exploring these important alpine climbs and a springboard to some unforgettable experiences!