"We enjoyed climbing trees as kids, but it's difficult to keep on doing that as an adult. Rock climbing is good because you can become a kid again and climb as much as you like," says Makoto Kitayama, president of the Japan Freeclimbing Association.
Fortunately, if you want to get in touch with your inner climbing child, Japan abounds with both natural and manmade climbing spots.
Mount Ogawa in Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest and most famous climbing sites. Located in Chichibu National Park, 100 km northwest of Tokyo, it has granite outcrops in fantastic shapes and sizes. The rocky mountain is known for easy-access and various climbing routes accessible to both beginners and the more experienced.