Thus, when walking through the mountains or fields and plains far from human habitation, make noises as you walk, striking the road with a bamboo staff you have cut beforehand… With this, wild animals will run away.
– Afoot in Japan, Yasumi Roan, 1841, trans. William Scott Wilson
Bears in Japan are having a moment. From all the publicity they’re getting, you could be forgiven for thinking they’re marauding through the country.
Though black bears share Mt. Ontake with its myriad other beings, encounters are rare, and typically result in them fleeing or ignoring you. Actually, they couldn’t care less about humans and will avoid us whenever possible. Still, they’re best avoided on our side too, and startling one is never a good idea. For those who live or travel in bear country, for example parts of North America, the situation here is nothing new.
A few practical considerations:
Prevention: Bears are most active at dawn and dusk. Be sure to take extra caution if hiking at these times. Or else, avoid it altogether.
Make some noise: Bear bells are popular in Japan, but their effectiveness is an open question. The US National Park Service says “Bears won’t hear the bells until you’re too close. Yelling, clapping, and talking are more effective ways of alerting a bear to your presence.”
Even if you decide to use a bear bell (your ryokan may offer one), it’s still a good idea to make extra noise near streams where sound doesn’t carry well and when approaching blind spots on the trail.
You might also use a staff during your hike as per Yasumi Roan’s advice above. It doesn’t need to be bamboo; you can pick up a wooden hiking staff pretty cheaply at the Satomiya Shrine shop.
If you encounter a bear: Don’t make eye contact. Stay calm, back away slowly, and quietly leave the area. Don’t run.
If you’re still concerned, bear spray is available for rent through Montbell, one of Japan’s major outdoor retailers. With stores throughout the country, rentals start at 2,500 yen for 3 days. You can drop it off at a different location for a fee. See the link for more (in Japanese. Use your browser’s translation extension if needed).
https://store.montbell.jp/common/system/information/disp.php?c=5&id=415
Otaki Experience 