GIFU, Oct 06 (News On Japan) –
A Spanish vacationer was attacked by a bear whereas visiting Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO World Heritage village in Gifu Prefecture identified for its conventional thatched-roof homes, on October fifth. The incident provides to a rising variety of bear encounters reported throughout Japan in current weeks.
According to Shirakawa Village officers, the 40-year-old man was strolling via the Shirakawa-go space round 8:30 a.m. when a bear immediately attacked him from behind. The bear, believed to be a juvenile Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) about one meter in size, scratched the person’s proper arm, inflicting minor accidents. He was handled for abrasions and is in steady situation.
The assault occurred close to the shuttle bus cease that serves guests heading to the Ogimachi commentary deck, a well-liked spot overlooking the gassho-style village. Following the incident, the village suspended shuttle bus operations from the afternoon and closed native roads and strolling trails inside a one-kilometer radius as a precaution.
Authorities in Shirakawa Village stated they’ve acquired round 90 bear sighting reviews since April 2025—practically thrice the annual common—suggesting that bear exercise within the area has sharply elevated this 12 months. Experts attribute the rise in encounters to a scarcity of acorns and different meals sources within the mountains, pushing bears nearer to human settlements.
Tourists expressed concern following the assault, with one customer saying, “A bear appeared? That’s shocking. It will definitely affect tourism.”
Local officers are urging each residents and guests to stay alert, keep away from strolling alone in forested areas, and instantly report any bear sightings. Patrols and warning indicators have been strengthened all through the Shirakawa-go space because the autumn journey season continues.
Source: TBS