Are There Bears in Japan? Everything You Need to Know
Yes, Japan has bears. Kumamap has tracked 146,685 incidents across all 47 prefectures, making it the largest bear incident database in the country. Two species: brown bears in Hokkaido (~12,000 population) and Asian black bears on Honshu and Shikoku (~42,000). Check the real-time map before heading outdoors.
Where Do Bears Live in Japan?
Japan has two bear species: Asian black bears on Honshu and Shikoku (~42,000 population) and brown bears in Hokkaido (~12,000). Of 146,685 tracked incidents, 90% involve black bears and 10% involve brown bears.
11 prefectures have zero incidents. All of Kyushu (black bears declared extinct in 2012), Okinawa, and Chiba are completely bear-free. See the safe areas guide for the full list.
The table below ranks the top prefectures by incident count. Akita, Iwate, and Nagano lead for black bears. The species comparison cards show the full breakdown.
Are Bear Incidents Increasing?
Incidents are rising. 6,133 incidents in the last 30 days alone. Poor acorn harvests push bears into towns, and Japan's shrinking rural population leaves more abandoned farmland at the forest edge.
The chart below shows the yearly trend. Bear populations have roughly tripled since conservation efforts tightened hunting restrictions. Visit the data page for full yearly and monthly breakdowns.
Which Areas Are Safe?
11 prefectures have zero bear incidents. Major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto city center, and Fukuoka are completely safe. Bear incidents in prefectures like Tokyo and Kyoto occur only in remote mountains far from tourist zones.
The cards below show all bear-free prefectures. For a detailed breakdown including safe hiking trails and tourism spots, see the bear-free areas guide.
Hiking in bear country
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
FAQ
Are there bears in Tokyo?
Tokyo city is completely safe. Incidents in Tokyo Prefecture occur only in the western mountains (Okutama area), 60+ km from the city center. Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and all tourist areas have zero bear activity.
How many bears are in Japan?
An estimated 42,000+ black bears and 12,000+ brown bears. The black bear population has roughly tripled since 2012 due to conservation efforts.
Are bear attacks common in Japan?
Kumamap tracks 146,685 total incidents. Fatal attacks have risen sharply. 13 people were killed in 2025, the worst year since records began in 2006. The vast majority of incidents are sightings where the bear fled. See the encounter guide for what to do.
Are there bears near Tokyo?
The mountains west of Tokyo (Okutama, Chichibu, Tanzawa) have black bears. The city itself and all major tourist areas are bear-free. Check the map for current activity.
Are bears in Japan dangerous?
Bears generally avoid humans. Black bears (50-120 kg) are less aggressive than brown bears (up to 400 kg). Carrying a bear bell virtually eliminates surprise encounters. See our gear guide for recommendations.
