Header images from the 2023-2024 AJET Photo Contest.

“Why are you putting your foot there?”

 

“No, no, grab that one!”

 

“No one needs that much chalk!”

 

These are just a few of the things that I yelled at the TV while watching one of the Olympics’ newest sports, Sport Climbing.

The Sports Climbing competition kicked off this past week, with the finals taking place tonight and tomorrow for the men’s and women’s competition respectively.

If you’re anything like me, then watching the Olympic Athletes climbing to new heights gives you the urge to get out there and try rock climbing for yourself.

The good news is that Niigata has a few bouldering gyms available for you to see if you qualify for a role in the next Spider-man movie, or should remain an armchair critic.

 

Clutch Climbing Gym

Located only a few minutes walk from Shinza station in Tokamachi, this bouldering gym is equipped with air-conditioning, and is sure to be a cool place to start or continue your climbing hobby.

Address: 540-3 Shinza Ko, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture

Phone: 080-3089-8140

Hours:

Weekdays: 13: 00-22: 00 (last admission 20:00)

Saturdays: 10: 00-22: 00 (last admission 20:00)

Price: Adults – 800 yen / Children (Jr High and under) – 500 yen

Cloud 9 Bouldering Gym

Cloud Nine has been around for 7 years. They specialize in teaching beginners the sport. They often hold “beginner nights” and other events.

Address: 1-3-22 Takara, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture 940-0016

Phone: 0258-89-7066

Hours:

Tue-Fri: 10:00-22: 00

Weekends and Holidays: 10:00-22: 00

Price: Adults – 2000 yen 1 day usage fee (non-member).
Memberships and monthly rates are available.

 

 

Lotte Hotel’s Indoor Playground

This winter ski resort offers many interesting activities in the “green season” including a large climbing wall in their indoor playground. Lotte Hotel boasts that their bouldering wall is the largest in all of Japan, with unique 89 routes and 710 holds. From beginners to experts, climbers of all experience levels can join in the fun.

Address: 1966 Ryozenji, Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture

Phone: 81-255-75-1177

Hours:

Open: Mon, Wed, Fri, Weekends and Holidays

Mornings: 9:00a.m.~1:00p.m.(last admission12:00p.m.)

Price: Adults –  ¥2,000 / Children (4 to 12 years old) – ¥1,000

Little Forest

This gym offers both bouldering and lead style climbing. The also have ladies nights for female climbers only at only 500 yen.

Address: 3-5-37 Terazawa, Gosen City, Niigata Prefecture 959-1837

Phone: 090-9396-8437

Hours:

Weekdays: 18:00 – 22:00

Weekends and Holidays: 10:00 – 18:00

Price: Adults –  ¥1500 for the whole day or ¥1000 for 3 hours
Memberships and monthly rates are available.

Sommet Bouldering Club

This gym strives to teach you how to become the best boulderer you can be! They post friendly challenges to their climbers on their instagram accounts. Urging them to keep improving and reminding us all that climbing can be both good exercise and a fun game.

Address: 602-3 Shiozawa, Minami Uonuma City, Niigata 949-6408

Phone: 025-788-1144

Hours:

Daily: 12:00 – 21:00

Closed: Wednesdays

Price: Adults –  ¥1500 for 2 hours 
Memberships and monthly rates are available.
These gyms all offer climbing shoe and chalk rentals, so you don’t need to invest in new equipment if you’re just looking to try the sport out.
All of the climbing gyms mentioned in this article and many other interesting places to check out are all listed in our Niigata AJET Locals map. If you know of any other climbing gyms in Niigata, or have some other places that you’d like us to check out, let us know!

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