Forests and Bears in Japan

Bears have always lived in Japan’s mountain forests, but sightings have increased in recent years as food patterns shift and rural populations decline. Most bears avoid people, yet encounters can happen, especially in quieter regions of Honshu and Hokkaido. If you go into the woods today - to borrow the tone of that familiar song - it’s wise to be prepared!

For years the standard advice was simple: carry a bear bell, hike in groups, and talk while you walk so bears hear you coming and move away. Bears generally prefer to avoid humans, and sound gives them time to slip into the trees. However, I am not sure that advice is fully reliable today. There have been far too many reports of bear encounters and attacks in Japan over the last two years. And not just in forests, but in towns too.

Personally, I haven't been hiking in mountainous forests in recent years because of the increased bear activity. But thankfully there are still plenty of lowland forests in Saitama where the risk of encountering a bear is extremely low, and those remain wonderful places to enjoy nature safely (with caution).

Forest and Lake Appreciation Week is a wonderful time to enjoy Japan’s woodlands, but it’s also a reminder that forests are living habitats. Respecting bears and giving them space keeps both visitors and wildlife safe. With awareness and care, Japan’s forests remain places of beauty, healing, and quiet adventure.