Rising Bear Encounters in Japan’s Shirakawa

Mitsunari Shiraki has no recollection of ever spotting a bear during his childhood in the picturesque village of Shirakawa, Japan. But following an incident last month where a Spanish tourist was attacked by a bear cub, he has made it his mission to protect both locals and the influx of tourists who come to admire the UNESCO heritage site.

“More bears are coming,” remarked Mitsunari, 40, who manages bear control in this secluded valley, located between Tokyo and Osaka. He believes the increase in bear sightings is due to a growing population and a scarcity of natural food options.

Fortunately, the tourist suffered only minor injuries, but authorities have since trapped six bears with honey-filled traps near Shirakawa-go, the historical site in question. Last year, the region saw around 35 bear sightings; this year, however, that number has exceeded 100.

Public broadcaster NHK reported that since April, bear attacks across Japan have injured 220 individuals—the highest on record. Tragically, 13 people have lost their lives, including seven last month during a time when bears typically forage extensively before hibernation.

Many of these incidents have occurred in remote areas seldom visited by international tourists. Yet, the Shirakawa event and bear sightings near popular locations, such as Kyoto’s Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, indicate that this is a concern tourists should not overlook.

Travel Advisory Updates

In response to the recent bear activity, the US, China, and the UK have all issued travel warnings regarding potential risks in Japan. The US advisory particularly highlighted incidents near populated areas, noting the closure of a nearby park after a bear sighting close to the Sapporo consulate.

In addition to honey traps, local authorities have been removing fruit trees that could attract bears and advising visitors to travel in groups, use bear bells, and steer clear of certain areas. Cornelia Li, a 25-year-old from Shanghai working in e-commerce, expressed her apprehensions while preparing for her trip. After learning about the bear sightings on social media, she opted for a hotel in the city to minimize risk for her family.

Innovative Measures to Deter Bears

Asiatic black bears are classified as endangered globally, yet their population in Japan has reportedly tripled since 2012, partly due to reduced hunting. Experts attribute this surge to climate change, which negatively impacts the animals’ natural food sources, along with declining rural populations pushing bears into human areas.

The situation in the northern parts has prompted Japan to deploy troops this month to assist with bear management. In Hida, just an hour’s drive from Shirakawa, officials are experimenting with drones aimed at keeping bears away from fruit orchards. These drones are designed with speakers that mimic barking dogs and are equipped with firecrackers to deter the animals.

“We needed a quick response,” explained Naofumi Yoshikawa from Gifu Prefecture’s Environment Department, overseeing the project. This fall, Hida saw 78 bear sightings, up from just 11 last year.

A Constant Threat

Masahiko Amaki, who leads the local orchard cooperative, spoke about the ever-present fear of bears while drone sounds echoed in the valley. “You don’t want to get hurt. I’ve had some close calls myself. They lock eyes with you, and… it’s really frightening,” he said.

At the orchard’s entrance, a sign warned of potential bear encounters and advised hikers against trekking alone. Mitsunari remains concerned about the safety of local school children. They’ve all received bear bells and, to enhance their safety, are instructed to walk home in groups during early morning and dusk when bears are most active.

Before the incident with the Spanish tourist, the last bear attack in Shirakawa occurred 12 years ago. Mitsunari is resolved to prevent any further occurrences. “This was very embarrassing for us. We will not let something like this happen again,” he affirmed.