Japan is seeing a rise in bear encounters as hungry animals emerge from hibernation and increasingly stray into towns and populated areas, prompting authorities to step up safety measures and deploy troops to assist with hunting and trapping operations.
The country recorded the year’s first fatal bear attack of 2026 on 21 April in Iwate Prefecture. Two more bodies were later discovered in the same region during the week of 4 May, with local media reports linking the deaths to possible bear attacks.
In particular, authorities in Japan’s north-east are ramping up precautions amid increased bear sightings across the region.
Aomori prefecture issued a warning after five Asiatic black bears were spotted in the span of 10 days.
While bear attacks remain uncommon in Japan, the recent spike in sightings means travellers venturing into rural areas, hiking trails and national parks should familiarise themselves with basic bear safety precautions.
How travellers can reduce the risk of bear encounters
Avoid dawn and dusk hikes: Bears are typically most active during the early morning and evening hours. Travellers should try to schedule outdoor activities during daylight hours whenever possible.
Travel in groups: Bears are less likely to approach larger groups. Hiking or trekking with companions significantly lowers the risk of an encounter.
Make noise while hiking: Bears generally avoid humans if they are aware of their presence. Travellers are encouraged to wear bear bells, talk loudly or clap occasionally, especially on forested trails or areas with limited visibility.
Store food properly: Never leave food, rubbish or scented items unattended, particularly at campsites. Bears have a strong sense of smell and may associate humans with food. Always remove all trash.
Check local warnings before heading out: Before visiting hiking areas or national parks, travellers should check local advisories and recent bear sightings through visitor centres or prefectural resources.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government operates the Tokyo KUMAP system, which tracks recent bear sightings using colour-coded alerts. Other regional resources include Fukui Bear Information, Niigata’s Bear Sighting Map, Hokkaido’s Higumap and Tochigi’s Bear Sighting Map.