What to do if you meet a bear in Japan

On the Ministry of the Environment's national park guide, choose the area you're travelling in to find bear sighting information by area and visitor centres. In the Japanese menu, 「クマ出没情報」 means bear sighting information, 「ヒグマ」 means brown bear and 「ツキノワグマ」 means Asian black bear. Check where and when sightings happened and when the notice was last updated.

Sapporo · 札幌

In Sapporo, the city office's 「札幌市ヒグマ出没情報」 shows where bears have been sighted and a map. Whether nature trails are closed needs a separate notice. No mark on the map doesn't mean there are no bears or the trail is safe.

If you've met one up close, don't suddenly shout or move quickly. On the trail, make noise in advance to let bears know a person is there — but once you've met one, move so as not to startle it.

Even if you only see cubs, the mother may be nearby. Don't go closer to take photos or feed them.

This is how to reduce injury if a bear attacks you. It doesn't guarantee you won't be hurt. Don't lie face down and wait in advance just because you can see a bear.

If you have bear spray and can use it, use it as you learned for that product. How far and how each product sprays differs. Don't copy another product's range.

Once you've put distance between you and the bear and ask for help, say where you are and how the hurt person is. Give the mountain or trail name, the name on a nearby sign, or your phone map location. Don't go back closer to photograph the bear.

If you've seen a bear near a house or in town, tell the city office or police. If you need police help immediately, call 110. In an emergency, call 119 or 110 first. The JNTO travel support hotline doesn't replace ambulance or police calls.

Don't spray bear spray on your body, clothes, tent or bags in advance. Don't substitute personal defence spray or insect repellent. The spray can reach people nearby and harm them too, so follow the safety lock and storage instructions.

The Ministry of the Environment says both carrying bear spray in the cabin and checking it as baggage are prohibited. You can't take it even if the can is small or within the allowance for ordinary sprays. Don't pack it when flying between Japanese cities or heading home either.

If you plan to hire one, ask the shop or facility in advance whether they handle bear spray, how to use it and where to return it. Check separately whether they have one left to hire and their opening hours. For any product left after use, ask the shop or hire place about returning it or how to dispose of it. Don't leave it with someone else or post it yourself.

If you've already brought it to the airport, tell the airline or airport staff. Don't assume you can just post it. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism says items that can't go on planes may also face air transport restrictions when posted.

We recommend cutting back on hiking and forest walks and switching to places the on-site manager says are open. Don't assume you must cancel your whole Japan trip because a bear was seen in one area, or that other areas are safe.

Ask your accommodation whether you can stay tonight, whether the road there is blocked anywhere, and how to get back. Check the operator's same-day notices for road closures and whether the buses and trains you'll take are operating. If you're heading home, check your booked flight and the transport to the airport separately.

If you need to change or cancel a booking, ask the accommodation, airline or booking agent whether it's possible and what it costs. A bear sighting doesn't mean every booking can be cancelled or refunded for free.

If you don't know who to contact while travelling, call the JNTO travel support hotline on 050-3816-2787. From overseas it's +81-50-3816-2787, and it's open 24 hours in Korean, English and Chinese. They can't guarantee on-site interpreting or supplies.

Feeding bears, monkeys or others, or leaving food or rubbish, makes them depend on human food — they may come near houses or towns or cause damage. Not running and backing away, and the posture to protect your body if attacked, are guidance for bears. Don't take them as how to handle other animals.