Oct 7, 2025
How have bears impacted your life?
Further to genkidesu's post about the recent bear attack on a foreigner, it got me thinking about how the increase bear sightings have influenced me. For one, I don't hike on my own anymore, something I used to enjoy doing occasionally. Have the increase in bear sightings and bear attacks influenced you in anyway? The post; https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/genkidesu/w5RYe-living
Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com
Best Answer
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on Oct 8
Much like you I'm reluctant to go walking alone in certain areas. There are too many overgrown foliage areas out here where you know that they could potentially be hiding, and it's not worth the risk. Dawn and dusk are the "high risk" times so to speak, so I'm especially wary if I'm up and out early or late (e.g. taking my dog out). I tend to keep an eye on the news about what's happening locally with bears, too. There was a JR train that hit a bear out here a couple of days ago, so it really is something to be extremely mindful of. Those kinds of reports have really been growing in recent years. Our local area has pretty strict rules about garbage management already, but that's another factor, not leaving anything out that could be considered a food source for them!
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on Oct 8
Just for some interesting context, too, here in Niigata the prefectural government has been asking for people to be at their highest level of vigilance about bears...which does sound kind of scary, but there is basis to it. I read that there have been 1232 reports of bear sightings from April to September this year (that's only Niigata!) which is double the average for the past 10 years.
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on Oct 9
@ToneToEdo I read a little while ago that Chiba Prefecture is actually bear free, is that right? I can't remember where I read it to share the source but I thought it was a fascinating little tidbit!
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on Oct 9
@genkidesu Chiba Prefecture, as far as I can tell, is bear-free. However, another hairy omnivore proliferates in Chiba Prefecture. The city in which I live, Noda, reports sightings (and sadly, trappings) a few times a month. They're timid, but if threatened, they're dangerous as they can gore you with their tusks. Suppose you encounter boars, back away quietly, and don't turn your back on them. Be especially cautious with sows and young.
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on Oct 10
@TonetoEdo I would be scared to encounter a bear or a boar! Either way, it seems like no area is really immune to some kind of animal that can be dangerous.
5 Answers