Climbing gym chain · Japan
NOBOROCK grades, explained
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NOBOROCK is a bouldering chain run by NOBOROCK Co., Ltd. of Shibuya, with eight gyms in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama: Shinjuku, Asakusa, Takadanobaba, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Machida, Mizonokuchi and Omiya. First-timers get a free rules briefing without booking, every gym has changing rooms and air conditioning, and since July 2026 all payments are cashless. Problems are graded on the kyu/dan scale with coloured tape, and walls are reset on a monthly cycle.
Bouldering grades
Problems use the Japanese kyu/dan scale: the main wall runs from 6級 to 3段 and up, and a climber reports 10級–7級 on the beginner wall. Grades are marked with coloured tape and tracked on a 'colour tape challenge' sheet, but the colour key is not published online. Font equivalents use the kyu/Font table on Japanese Wikipedia, not a gym conversion; climbers rate NOBOROCK's grades as soft.
| Level | Font | ≈ V-scale |
|---|---|---|
| 10級〜9級 (10Q–9Q)Beginner wall only; below the conversion table (8級 = 1+–2) | 1–1+ | VB− |
| 8級 (8Q)V: VB- | 1+–2 | VB−–VB |
| 7級 (7Q)V: VB to VB+ | 2+–3 | VB–VB+ |
| 6級 (6Q)V: V0- to V0 | 3+–4 | VB+–V0+ |
| 5級 (5Q)V: V0+ to V1 | 4+–5 | V0–V3 |
| 4級 (4Q)V: V2 (V3 falls between 4級 and 3級) | 5+–6A | V2–V3 |
| 3級 (3Q)V: about V3 to V4 | 6A+–6B | V3–V4 |
| 2級 (2Q)V: about V4 to V5 | 6B+–6C | V4–V5 |
| 1級 (1Q)V: V6 (V5 falls between 2級 and 1級) | 6C+–7A | V5–V6 |
| 初段 (1D)V: V7 | 7A+–7B | V7–V8 |
| 二段 (2D)V: V9 (V8 falls between 初段 and 二段) | 7B+–7C | V8–V9 |
| 三段以上 (3D+)Open-ended. V: V10 to V11 | ≥ 7C+ | ≥ V10 |
NOBOROCK doesn't say so outright, but its gyms appear to share this grading. From climbers' descriptions and photos of the gym's grade boards. Gyms reset and regrade often, and grades vary between setters, so treat this as a guide and check the boards when you visit.
8 NOBOROCK gyms
Each gym's page has its address, how to book, and links to prices and opening hours.
Is this page accurate and helpful?
Questions
- What Font grade is 10級〜9級 (10Q–9Q) at NOBOROCK?
- 10級〜9級 (10Q–9Q) at NOBOROCK is 1–1+, about VB− in V-scale.
- What Font grade is 8級 (8Q) at NOBOROCK?
- 8級 (8Q) at NOBOROCK is 1+–2, about VB−–VB in V-scale.
- What Font grade is 7級 (7Q) at NOBOROCK?
- 7級 (7Q) at NOBOROCK is 2+–3, about VB–VB+ in V-scale.
- What Font grade is 6級 (6Q) at NOBOROCK?
- 6級 (6Q) at NOBOROCK is 3+–4, about VB+–V0+ in V-scale.
- What Font grade is 5級 (5Q) at NOBOROCK?
- 5級 (5Q) at NOBOROCK is 4+–5, about V0–V3 in V-scale.
- What Font grade is 4級 (4Q) at NOBOROCK?
- 4級 (4Q) at NOBOROCK is 5+–6A, about V2–V3 in V-scale.
Sources
- NOBOROCK: home page (eight gyms, free briefing without booking)
- NOBOROCK: first-time visitors (QR registration, cashless from 6 July 2026, no booking)
- NOBOROCK: legal notice (NOBOROCK Co., Ltd., Shibuya)
- NOBOROCK: price plans
- Ameba blog (2024-12-11): newly opened Shinjuku gym, 9Q–3段, colour tape challenge sheet
- temitars.com (2018): Omiya visit, colour-coded grades, badge per grade
- ROCKY: events page (NOBOROCK & ROCKY store-tour events)
- hilinker.hatenablog.com (2023-11): subjective gym grade comparison; NOBOROCK Shibuya easiest, beginner wall 10–7級 (in Japanese)
- Japanese Wikipedia: ボルダリング, kyu/dan vs Font/V table (source: Dai Koyamada, 2009)
Checked 3 October 2026. Gear Loop isn't affiliated with NOBOROCK.