Japan has been stricken by bear infestations, with over 100 casualties reported thus far in 2025. Bears have additionally been noticed in a number of in style vacationer areas, with some even attacking vacationers. Kwiksure had compiled an inventory of high-risk bear-infested areas and shared tips about what to do when encountering a bear and how one can defend your self, so that you may be extra alert and ready when touring.
Bears in Japan | Bear Species and Seasons
In keeping with the Japanese Ministry of the Setting, there are two essential forms of bears in Japan: brown bears (ヒグマ) and Japanese black bears (ツキノワグマ). Brown bears inhabiting Hokkaido are well-muscled, typically measuring about 2.2 meters in size and weighing 150 to 250 kilograms. Black bears inhabiting Honshu and Shikoku are typically 1.1 to 1.5 meters in size and weigh 80 to 120 kilograms. Brown bears are bigger and extra aggressive than black bears.
Bears typically hibernate from December to April. Autumn is the season when bears hunt in giant portions in preparation for hibernation, so they’re extra lively. If the meals they hunt within the mountains is just not sufficient, they are going to have the chance to go down the mountain to search out meals.
Bear-infested areas in Japan
(Picture from @L_yukisuki／X)
Not too long ago, netizens built-in Japan’s bear-prone areas in 2025, and located bear tracks virtually everywhere in the nation. Solely Kyushu and Okinawa haven’t reported any bear sightings, and the vary of bear exercise has expanded considerably, with probably the most frequent sightings in Tohoku and Hokkaido. Bear sightings have additionally unfold from distant mountainous areas to metropolis facilities, residential areas, and in style vacationer areas, akin to Nara, Tokyo, and Sendai Station. A bear was reported to have attacked vacationers within the well-known Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. In the event you plan to journey to Japan, you will need to pay shut consideration to high-risk areas for bears throughout the nation.
Excessive-risk areas for bear sightings in Japan
1. Hokkaido — Shiretoko Peninsula, Sapporo
Massive and aggressive brown bears are extensively present in Hokkaido. Though they primarily reside in forests, they’ll nonetheless be discovered on the outskirts of cities. Brown bears had been discovered in lots of in style vacationer spots, akin to Furano and the Shiretoko Peninsula. Bear assaults not solely happen in high-risk areas, amongst which Rausu-dake even had deadly bear assaults. Those that want to go climbing within the suburbs or mountains should take note of security. Sapporo has set a document excessive in bear-found experiences. The West District additionally applied a brown bear alert since an individual was attacked by a brown bear.
2. Tohoku area of Japan – Sendai and Akita prefectures
Akita Prefecture has seen a number of bear assaults and casualties this yr, with experiences of bear sightings step by step shifting nearer to town middle and residential areas. There are additionally reporting 4 assaults in 3 hours. There are experiences in Sendai that folks have collided with a black bear whereas driving bicycles. Some individuals have additionally reported seeing black bears within the space close to JR Sendai Station. Though there have been no experiences of harm, because the reported places are near the station and residential areas, individuals nonetheless must be vigilant when touring.
3. Central Japan Mountains – Kamikochi, Tateyama Kurobe, and the western foothills of Mount Fuji
The mountainous areas of central Japan are the primary distribution space for black bears. Many well-known vacationer sights have additionally issued bear sighting alerts. The Mikuri Pond close to Tateyama Kurobe Murodo was even photographed with bears swimming within the pool. Bears have additionally been noticed in close by mountains, and Tateyama Metropolis has issued a bear alert. Bears have additionally been sighted in different areas, akin to Kamikochi and alongside the mountaineering and sightseeing routes on the western foot of Mount Fuji, so please train warning when touring.
4. Kansai Area, Japan – Kumano Kodo
The Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage web site in Tanabe Metropolis within the Kansai area, is a pilgrimage route that requires guests to hike by means of dense forests inhabited by species akin to bears and wild boars. This route can be a hotspot for black bears, so bear safety tools is really helpful earlier than embarking on the journey.
Bears in Japan | Self-rescue suggestions for bear encounters
1. Greater than 20 meters away from a bear
- Depart slowly and quietly
- If a bear notices you, again away slowly whereas wanting on the bear, avoiding wanting into its eyes.
- By no means flip round and run so the bear can see your again
- Keep away from getting near the cubs to keep away from angering the mom bear.
2. Inside 20 meters of a bear
- Again away slowly; don’t run or let the bear see your again.
- Pulling your garments open to make your self look larger
- Use bushes or giant rocks as cowl and place obstacles akin to stones or branches in between
- Get your bear spray prepared for emergencies
3. Inside 5 meters of a bear
- Keep calm, don’t play useless or scream, use a low and regular voice
- Lie on the bottom, curl up, and defend the again of your neck together with your palms. You should use a backpack to guard your head to keep away from being attacked by a bear.
- Use bear spray (all the time verify the wind route when utilizing)
Bears in Japan | The best way to Keep away from Bear Encounters
1. Make noise
Bears usually assault solely when frightened and won’t actively assault people. Due to this fact, when in forests or bear-infested areas, you should utilize loudspeakers, radios, clapping, or chatting to alert bears to your presence and encourage them to keep away from you.
2. Deal with meals correctly
Since bears primarily hunt for meals, vacationers ought to keep away from bringing meals with sturdy odors to bear-infested areas, correctly eliminate meals scraps, and by no means feed wild animals to forestall bears from approaching because of the odor of meals.
3. Journey with companions and plan your itinerary
In bear-infested areas, select trails with extra vacationers and journey in teams at any time when doable. Keep on monitor to cut back the danger of encountering a bear. Keep away from touring within the early morning and night, when bears are most lively, and keep away from out of doors actions at night time when visibility is restricted.
4. Take note of experiences and study high-risk bear areas
Earlier than departure, first verify the native official web site, information, or Boonie Bears Map to get data on latest bear sightings by means of numerous channels, akin to Fb and Twitter, and take note of “Bear Alert” indicators alongside the way in which to keep away from areas the place bears are lively.
Bears are noticed in Japan | Bear-proofing tools at a look
1. Bear Bell
Bear bells may be held on a backpack or belt. They’ll proceed to make sounds whereas strolling, letting bears know of the presence of people and decreasing the prospect of being approached or attacked by bears.
2. Bear Whistle
The whistle emits a high-frequency, sharp sound that travels over a protracted distance, which might help drive away bears and ship out misery indicators in emergency conditions.
3. Digital bear speaker
Audio system designed for bear safety can emit highly effective, high-decibel sounds to assist scare close by bears and cut back the danger of bear assaults. Some audio system are additionally outfitted with flashlight features and can be utilized when climbing.
4. Bear spray
A detailed-range protection device that may stop a bear from approaching or attacking. Learn the directions fastidiously earlier than use and maintain it inside straightforward attain for fast emergency use.
5. Radio/Music Participant
Much like a bear bell, it repeatedly emits sounds and conversational voices to let bears know that people are close by.
6. Brightly coloured clothes
Shiny-colored clothes helps you stand out within the woods. Not solely can it enable bears to identify you from a distance, however it additionally makes it simpler for others to identify you.
Japan Bear Haunting | Emergency Helpline
- Japan Police Bureau Hotline: 110 (Japanese); 03-3501-0110 (English)
- Hearth/Ambulance Emergency Hotline: 119
- 24-hour Chinese language-language emergency hotline for guests to Japan
- Inside Japan: 050-3816-2787
- Worldwide calls: +81-50-3816-2787
- Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Hong Kong Immigration Division 24-hour hotline: 1868 (you possibly can name, WhatsApp, or WeChat)
- China’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs International Consular Safety and Service Emergency 24-hour Hotline: +86-10-12308, +86-10-65612308
Regularly Requested Questions
The place are the high-risk areas for bears in Japan?
Brown bears are primarily present in Hokkaido, Japan, notably within the Shiretoko space and Sapporo. Black bears are discovered within the Tohoku area, the central mountainous areas akin to Kamikochi and Tateyama Kurobe, and the Kumano Kodo Path within the Kansai area. City fringes are additionally thought-about high-risk areas. Kyushu and Okinawa are the one two areas in Japan the place no bear sightings have been reported.
What anti-bear preparations ought to I take when touring to Japan?
In the event you’re touring to a high-risk bear space, put together bear bells, bear whistles, and bear spray. In the event you’re planning a hike, convey brightly coloured clothes to face out. Keep away from early morning and night when bears are most lively, and attempt to hike on crowded trails and journey with a companion.