[Japan Travel Tips] Bear Recognizing Areas and Excessive-Threat Areas in Japan

Japan has been affected by bear infestations, with over 100 casualties reported to date in 2025. Bears have additionally been noticed in a number of widespread vacationer areas, with some even attacking vacationers. Kwiksure had compiled an inventory of high-risk bear-infested areas and shared recommendations on what to do when encountering a bear and how one can shield your self, so that you might be extra alert and ready when touring.

Bears in Japan | Bear Species and Seasons

In response to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, there are two principal varieties 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, usually measuring about 2.2 meters in size and weighing 150 to 250 kilograms. Black bears inhabiting Honshu and Shikoku are usually 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 usually hibernate from December to April. Autumn is the season when bears hunt in massive portions in preparation for hibernation, so they’re extra energetic. If the meals they hunt within the mountains just isn’t sufficient, they are going to have the chance to go down the mountain to seek out meals.

Bear-infested areas in Japan

(Picture from @L_yukisuki／X)

Lately, netizens built-in Japan’s bear-prone areas in 2025, and located bear tracks almost all over the country. Solely Kyushu and Okinawa haven’t reported any bear sightings, and the vary of bear exercise has expanded considerably, with essentially the most frequent sightings in Tohoku and Hokkaido. Bear sightings have additionally unfold from distant mountainous areas to metropolis facilities, residential areas, and widespread vacationer areas, equivalent to Nara, Tokyo, and Sendai Station. A bear was reported to have attacked tourists within the well-known Shirakawa-go Gassho Village. In case you plan to journey to Japan, you need to pay shut consideration to high-risk areas for bears across the country.

Excessive-risk areas for bear sightings in Japan

1. Hokkaido — Shiretoko Peninsula, Sapporo

Giant and aggressive brown bears are broadly present in Hokkaido. Though they primarily dwell in forests, they will nonetheless be discovered on the outskirts of cities. Brown bears had been discovered in lots of widespread vacationer spots, equivalent to Furano and the Shiretoko Peninsula. Bear attacks not only occur in high-risk areas, amongst which Rausu-dake even had fatal bear attacks. Those that want to go mountain climbing within the suburbs or mountains should take note of security. Sapporo has set a record high in bear-found experiences. The West District additionally implemented 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 progressively shifting nearer to the town heart and residential areas. There are additionally reporting 4 attacks in 3 hours. There are experiences in Sendai that folks have collided with a black bear whereas using bicycles. Some folks 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, folks 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 in 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, equivalent 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 dense forests inhabited by species equivalent to bears and wild boars. This route can also be a hotspot for black bears, so bear safety tools is beneficial earlier than embarking on the journey.

Bears in Japan | Self-rescue ideas for bear encounters

1. Greater than 20 meters away from a bear

• Go away 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 massive rocks as cowl and place obstacles equivalent 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 shield the again of your neck together with your arms. You need to use a backpack to guard your head to keep away from being attacked by a bear.
• Use bear spray (at all times examine the wind course when utilizing)

Bears in Japan | How one can Keep away from Bear Encounters

1. Make noise

Bears usually assault solely when frightened and won’t actively assault people. Subsequently, when in forests or bear-infested areas, you should use 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 stop bears from approaching as a result of scent of meals.

3. Journey with companions and plan your itinerary

In bear-infested areas, select trails with extra vacationers and journey in teams every time attainable. 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 energetic, and keep away from outside actions at night time when visibility is restricted.

4. Take note of experiences and find out about high-risk bear areas

Earlier than departure, first examine the native official web site, information, or Boonie Bears Map to get data on current bear sightings by varied channels, equivalent 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 energetic.

Bears are noticed in Japan | Bear-proofing tools at a look

1. Bear Bell

Bear bells might be held on a backpack or belt. They may proceed to make sounds whereas strolling, letting bears know of the presence of people and lowering the possibility 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 can assist 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 scale back the danger of bear assaults. Some audio system are additionally outfitted with flashlight features and can be utilized when mountain climbing.

4. Bear spray

An in depth-range protection instrument that may forestall a bear from approaching or attacking. Learn the directions rigorously earlier than use and hold it inside straightforward attain for speedy emergency use.

5. Radio/Music Participant

Just like a bear bell, it constantly emits sounds and conversational voices to let bears know that people are close by.

6. Brightly coloured clothes

Brilliant-colored clothes helps you stand out within the woods. Not solely can it enable bears to identify you from a distance, nevertheless 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)
• Fireplace/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’ll be able to name, WhatsApp, or WeChat)
• China’s Ministry of International Affairs World Consular Safety and Service Emergency 24-hour Hotline: +86-10-12308, +86-10-65612308

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

The place are the high-risk areas for bears in Japan?

Brown bears are primarily present in Hokkaido, Japan, significantly within the Shiretoko space and Sapporo. Black bears are discovered within the Tohoku area, the central mountainous areas equivalent to Kamikochi and Tateyama Kurobe, and the Kumano Kodo Path within the Kansai area. City fringes are additionally thought of 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 case you’re touring to a high-risk bear space, put together bear bells, bear whistles, and bear spray. In case you’re planning a hike, convey brightly coloured clothes to face out. Keep away from early morning and night when bears are most energetic, and attempt to hike on crowded trails and journey with a companion.