The bear population is increasing nationwide. Amidst the appearance of bears attacking people, we have summarized bear countermeasures that hikers can take immediately.

Bear Encounter

So, what does it mean to "encounter" a bear in the mountains in the first place? According to Akino Inagaki, a specially appointed assistant professor at the Global Innovation Research Institute of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, an encounter is considered to be an "unexpected approach to a bear within approximately 50 meters." Based on this criterion, I would like to first write about my (the author's) encounter experience.

At the end of August seven years ago, I and a total of eight colleagues from my company took the last train on the JR Ome Line and arrived at JR Okutama Station. From Okutama Station, we planned to run up the hiking trail to Nokogiriyama in the middle of the night and run the second half of the Hasetsune route as a "rehearsal," covering Otake Mountain, Mitake Shrine, Konpira Ridge, and Itsukaichi Hall. With multiple headlamps attached to our heads and chests, we were running up the ridge trail from Nokogiriyama to Otake Mountain, at an altitude of approximately 1150 meters, when I, leading the group, smelled a beast and thought, "Huh?" The next moment, there was a loud rustling sound from the bushes on the right side of the hiking trail, and a low growl suddenly echoed in the darkness. The growl continued as if warning us not to come any closer. I instinctively realized it was a bear, informed the members behind me, stopped our movement, banged my trekking poles, and shouted as loudly as I could to indicate our presence. I then sensed a large object rustling away in the bushes, and we managed to avoid any incident.

In the fast-paced trail running, we must have unknowingly closed the distance with the bear. Additionally, it was a dark night with poor visibility, and we were probably rapidly approaching from downwind, which delayed our mutual awareness. Since we were a large group with multiple lights on and making noise, we were fortunate that the wild animal, which seemed to be a bear, left. If we had encountered it alone or in a group of two, there might have been a possibility of being attacked by an agitated bear.

Additionally, in July at Oze, two female hikers who were about 100 meters ahead on the boardwalk descending gently from Ayame-daira to Hatomachi-toge hurriedly returned, saying there was a bear. Also, at the same Oze, a female ranger I met while walking from Oike to Hiuchiura Forest Road after the Golden Week in May had bear spray hanging from her waist. She warned me to carry effective bear spray in case of an emergency, as a bear had been spotted in the area the previous day.

As such, even I, who occasionally hike in the mountains, have had encounters with bears, and I believe many readers have had similar frightening experiences. Bears are active even in relatively low mountains close to urban areas, such as Okutama and Tanzawa in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and there are hikers who have had unexpected encounters with bears in these areas. Day hikes are not necessarily safe. Akino Inagaki from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology talks about the current danger of bear and human living areas approaching each other.

"It has become clear that the habitat of bears is expanding nationwide (excluding Shikoku), and their population is increasing. Most of the expanded habitat is in satoyama areas. Satoyama is not only for foraging wild vegetables and mushroom hunting but also for walking and hiking, where people frequently enter. In other words, now the living areas of bears and humans are getting closer and overlapping. It is predicted that the risk of encountering bears while hiking will increase even in low mountains and mountains near human settlements where bears were previously thought not to exist. And if there are bears living near human living areas on a daily basis and not fearing human presence, the risk of human injury increases."

A researcher's encounter with a bear

We walk in the mountains hoping not to encounter bears. However, there are people like Inagaki from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology who walk in the mountains seeking encounters for wildlife research. According to Inagaki's personal experience, he has never encountered a bear (within about 50 meters) on a hiking trail, but he has encountered bears more than ten times in pathless mountains entered for research purposes. Inagaki shared three examples from his various encounter experiences that could serve as lessons for hikers.

①In the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture

(situation) I was climbing a ridge path that was not a hiking trail. The steep slope became gentle, and about 30 meters ahead, I noticed a black bear at the base of a tree on the flat ridge. The bear was engrossed in eating fallen acorns and hadn't noticed me. When I raised my voice while holding the bear spray, the bear slowly walked away.
(Lesson) On steep ridges (or in valleys, etc.), where you can't see far ahead, actively make noise to announce your presence and let the bear know you are there.

②On a forest road in Hokkaido

(situation) While driving on a forest road in Hokkaido, a mother and cub brown bear suddenly appeared 40 meters ahead and stared at us. When I stopped the car and honked the horn, the mother bear, though agitated, left with her cub into the bushes.
(Lesson) If you are in the car, never get out. The horn is somewhat effective against bears.

3. In the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture

(situation) I was working in the forest about 30 meters away from the road for about 10 minutes. Hearing a rustling sound above, I looked up to see a black bear descending (falling) from a tree about 20 meters ahead and fleeing into the depths of the forest.
(Lesson) ① Black bears are not always on the ground; they can also be in trees. Especially when they sense a human presence, they may quickly climb a tree, but if the person does not leave, they may move suddenly. ② Just because a road is nearby does not mean there are no bears.

What to do if you encounter a bear in the mountains

To prevent accidents with bears, it is important to take all possible measures in advance to avoid encountering bears unexpectedly in the mountains. However, if you do encounter a bear, it is essential to respond calmly. Except for some people who are accustomed to encountering wild animals, it is uncertain whether hikers can respond calmly in such situations. Nevertheless, it is important to understand how to respond to a bear encounter in your mind and to prepare and be ready before entering the mountains. If you see a bear while hiking (when there is still some distance), Inagaki advises the following.

Kazuhiko Yoneda, the president of the NPO Japan Black Bear Research Institute, which published "How to Meet Bears in the Mountains: Common Knowledge About Bears You Should Know (Yamakei Bunko)" from Yama-Kei Publishers Co.,Ltd. , said on NHK Radio's "Kenjiro Ishimaru's Mountain Cafe" (broadcast in May 2019) that "I've encountered bears 3,000 times, and this is how I've survived." "Read it." You can learn about Yoneda's ultimate methods of dealing with bears. Yoneda's calmness, boldness, and courage in casually talking about his encounters with bears are astonishing. I highly recommend reading it.

Yasuhiko Konno, a freelance naturalist who serializes 'Mountain Creatures' on Yama to Keikoku Online, A serial article published in March 2012 concludes his article 'Recent Bear Situations in the Northern Alps and Kamikochi. Where are the Black Bears? And My Bear Countermeasures and Special Precautions' with the following words.

Yasuhiko Konno's words, 'The best preparation is to avoid encountering bears unexpectedly,' are a lesson for all hikers.

What can I do to avoid being hit by a bear? And my anti-bear goods

When looking at the blog of a mountain hut standing on the ridgeline of the Northern Alps, I sometimes read about bear sightings. It is said that the habitat of bears has expanded from the high mountains of the Japanese Alps to the low mountains and satoyama areas of urban areas, and we should recognize that many of the mountains we target for hiking are also bear activity areas. When entering the mountains, it is necessary to carefully check the bear sighting information provided by the administrative websites and the Ministry of the Environment's visitor centers that govern the area, and if there is bear sighting information, it is also necessary to review the plan. In addition, when entering areas where bear sightings are expected, the following preparations and precautions should be taken.

Mr. Inagaki from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology says that among these measures, it is especially important to carefully check information before entering the mountains. He also advises carrying bear repellent spray and offers the following advice.

"It is important to learn how to use bear repellent spray properly by reading the instructions or watching videos, and to practice with a practice spray. Sometimes I see people using it in meaningless ways, making it nothing more than a talisman."

Konno Yasuhiko, who contributes information on bear sightings in Kamikochi in the Northern Alps and Mt. Taisetsuzan range in Hokkaido to this site, writes in an article for Yama-to-Keikoku Online his own advice on how to deal with bears: "Not only before going to Kamikochi, but also while I'm there, I check the bear sightings information and avoid dangerous places. I carry a bear bell and whistle in places where bears might appear. I carry bear repellent spray because I use it in Mt. Taisetsuzan range , but I have not yet carried it in Kamikochi. Also, I have hardly ever seen any climbers or hikers I pass in Kamikochi carrying it. Bear repellent spray doesn't get in the way if you hang it from your waist, so depending on the bear sightings in the future, I think I'll try carrying it in Kamikochi as well."

At the bottom of this article, I have listed some websites related to 'bears' that may be useful for hikers, including reading materials, statistics, sighting information, and bear countermeasure goods. Please refer to them. To reiterate, the administration of areas where bears frequently appear always disseminates bear sighting information on their websites. When planning a hike, use keyword searches to gather information from various angles and plan carefully.

I hope for a future where humans and bears can coexist without conflict in Japan's beautiful natural environment.

Websites and articles for reference on bear countermeasures (selected by the editorial department)

• "Gwaah!" Encounter with a mother bear in the mountains of Okutama... The raging beast aimed at my nose and bit me <About the accident in Okutama involving mountaineer Yasushi Yamanoi> (Bunshun Online)
• Encountering bears 3000 times, this is how I survived (NHK / Yomurajiru.) Kenjiro Ishimaru's Mountain Cafe
• Japan Bear Network
• Ministry of the Environment - Information and Initiatives Regarding Bears
• Metropolitan Police Department: Overview of mountain accidents in 2023
• Oze Conservation Foundation - Coexistence with Asiatic black bears (bear sighting information, etc.)
• Kamikochi Visitor Center Bear Sightings
• Akita Forest Creation Activity Support Center - Ecology of Asiatic black bears and prevention of human injuries
• Information dissemination by Niigata Prefecture (example of information dissemination by local governments)
• Information dissemination by Hadano City (example of information dissemination by local governments)
• Montbell - Bear countermeasure items for preparedness in the mountains