Climbing chains

One of the oddities of climbing in Japanese Alps. To make the terrain accessible to elderly and less experience climbers, there are all kind of man-made installations such as chains, ladders and standing platforms. I have to admit that chains were useful in a few places if you want to keep difficulties to 3rd class or if the rock is slippery (weather is finicky there). This photo is taken at one of the cruxes of Yariga-take to Hotaka-dake traverse, on the ridge between Minami-dake and Kitahotaka-dake.