Travel Warning for Japan: What You Need to Know About the Unexpected Risks

Travelers are urged to stay vigilant, heed local advice, and register with STEP for timely updates while abroad.

The U.S. State Department has issued a safety warning for certain regions in Japan, a nation renowned for its safety, due to a concerning rise in bear attacks, particularly in the northern areas.

This year alone, over a dozen fatalities have occurred due to bear encounters, and a recent sighting in Maruyama Park, located in Sapporo, prompted authorities to close the park for a fortnight. The U.S. Consulate in Sapporo, close to this park, has highlighted that bears have been increasingly seen not just in parks but also in residential neighborhoods across Hokkaido and Akita prefectures.

In light of these developments, the consulate advises U.S. citizens to steer clear of the park during this period of closure, while remaining aware of their surroundings and promptly reporting any bear sightings to local officials. This warning comes amidst a broader acknowledgment of Japan’s safety overall; the travel advisory remains at Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions, which indicates that American visitors should engage in standard safety measures during their stay.

Beyond the tragic deaths, bear encounters have also resulted in injuries to more than 100 individuals since April. In response, the government has mobilized troops from the Self-Defense Force to assist areas facing frequent bear sightings. Notably, these troops are not armed with firearms, reflecting Japan’s strict gun regulations. Instead, they carry bear spray, batons, shields, protective vests, goggles, and net launchers to manage bear encounters.

Experts speculate that a poor acorn yield this year may be driving bears closer to urban settings as they search for food. As Japan’s bear population gradually increases, the encroachment of urban expansion into wilderness areas creates a higher chance of human-bear interactions. Similar to North America, Japan is home to both black and brown bears, including the Ussuri brown bear found on Hokkaido and in the Russian Far East. This bear species is a relative of the North American grizzly and can weigh between 440 and 660 pounds. Interestingly, both species are primarily herbivorous, and most injuries to humans arise when bears feel startled or threatened, especially when they have cubs.

To safeguard against bear attacks, it is recommendable to travel in groups, as bears tend to avoid multiple humans, and to make noise to avoid surprising bears. The majority of bear sightings occur during dusk and dawn when they are foraging for food. In the event of a bear encounter, it’s crucial not to run or climb a tree; maintaining eye contact and making slow, deliberate movements can help. If confronted, laying face down on the ground while protecting the head and neck is a last-resort strategy.

U.S. citizens traveling in Japan are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to keep informed about safety updates and advisories during their travels. Notably, more than 2.7 million Americans visited Japan in 2024, marking a remarkable 33% increase from the previous year.