Abstract
Rock climbing is growing as a forest sport, and it is anticipated that this will lead to a conflict between the increasing number of climbers using the rocks, and the local community and other forest users. This study’s purpose is to elucidate the management of a climbing area which successfully solved the conflict, and to determine what effect climbing has on local economic vitalization. We studied the Kasagi Mountain Climbing Area in Gifu Prefecture, where locals have a cooperative relationship with climbers, and collect entrance fees from them. Management is a collaboration between a residents’organization formed around the nucleus of a local property ward, and a group of climbing enthusiasts comprising climbers from nearby areas. But there are also problems with
securing funds for area management. The Kasagi Property Ward forest, which originated from a former Meiji-period village forest, played an important role in establishing the climbing area. Further, a climber questionnaire (n＝46) found that climbers spend little money in the locality, and that they make little use of facilities other than convenience stores. However, at least 80% of the climbers are repeat visitors who represent a broad spectrum, showing that there is a wide variety of visitors.
