What to do if you meet a bear on your Japan trip

On the Ministry of the Environment's national park guide, choose your travel area to find regional bear sighting information and visitor centres (park information offices). 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 Asiatic black bear. Check where and when sightings happened and when the notice was last updated.

Sapporo · 札幌

In Sapporo, you can see where bears were sighted and a map in the city office's 「札幌市ヒグマ出没情報」 (Sapporo brown bear sighting information). Whether nature trails are closed must be checked in a separate notice. Even if nothing is marked on the map, that doesn't mean there are no bears or that the trail is safe.

If you meet one up close, don't suddenly shout or move abruptly. On trails, make noise in advance to let bears know a person is coming — but once you have met a bear, move without startling it.

Even if you only see a cub, the mother may be nearby. Don't approach to take photos or give food.

This is to reduce how badly you are hurt if a bear attacks. There is no guarantee you won't be hurt. Don't lie face down and wait in advance just because you see a bear.

If you have bear spray and can use it, use it as you learned from the product's instructions. Each product sprays a different distance and in a different way. Don't copy another product's spray distance.

After putting distance between you and the bear, tell rescuers where you are and the condition of anyone hurt. Give the mountain or trail name, the name on a nearby sign, or your phone's map location. Don't go back to take photos of the bear.

If you see a bear near homes or in town, tell the city office or other municipality, or the police. If you need the police right away, call 110. In an emergency, call 119 or 110 first. JNTO travel assistance cannot replace calling an ambulance or reporting to the police.

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

The Ministry of the Environment says bear spray is prohibited both in the cabin and as checked baggage. You cannot take it even if the container is small or within the allowance for ordinary sprays. Don't put it in your baggage when flying to another city in Japan or when returning home either.

If you plan to rent one, ask the shop or facility in advance whether they handle bear spray, how to use it, and where to return it. You also need to check separately whether rental stock is available and their opening hours. Ask the shop or rental place how to return or dispose of any leftover product. Don't leave it with someone else or send it by post on your own.

If you have already brought it to the airport, tell the airline or airport staff. Don't assume you can send it by courier. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism says items that cannot be carried on aircraft may also face air transport restrictions when sent by courier.

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

Ask your accommodation whether you can stay tonight, whether any roads to it are blocked, and how to get back. Check road restrictions and whether the buses or trains you need are running in the operator's notices for the day. If you plan to fly home, check your booked flight and the transport to the airport separately.

If you need to change or cancel bookings, ask your accommodation, airline and booking provider whether it is possible and how much it will cost. A bear sighting doesn't mean every booking can be cancelled for free or refunded.

If you don't know who to contact while travelling, call JNTO travel assistance at 050-3816-2787. From overseas it is +81-50-3816-2787, and it operates 24 hours a day in Korean, English and Chinese. On-site interpretation or supplies cannot be guaranteed.

Feeding bears, monkeys or others, or leaving food or rubbish, can make them depend on human food and come near homes or town, or cause harm. Backing away without running and protecting your body if attacked are guidance for bears. Don't take them as what to do for other animals.