เส้นทางเดินป่า Yoshino-Sakuramoto-bō Temple

With rustling sounds, a pitch-black animal rolled down the steep slope from around the bamboo grove and thudded down along the houses below the retaining wall. It was about one meter long and completely black; I could also see cream-colored fur under its neck, so I was certain it was an Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma). Because there was a risk it could cause damage to nearby houses, I called the police, who arrived about 15 minutes later. They searched but did not find it; they stayed only long enough to warn nearby residents. The next day, local disaster radio broadcast safety warnings several times.

Yoshino Yanagi, Nara