Photo/Illutration Senshu Park in Akita remains closed after bear sightings within the grounds. (Koki Furuhata)

Japan’s autumn tourism season has been marred by a surge in bear sightings and attacks, prompting widespread cancellations and closures across popular destinations known for their fall foliage and hot springs.

A 34-year-old woman from Yokohama was among those who called off a long-planned trip to the northern prefecture of Aomori with her friends.

“What if a bear appears at the hotel entrance? It’s too scary to go,” she said.

The woman instead opted for a destination in western Japan where bear incidents have been less frequent this year.

In neighboring Iwate Prefecture, the Motoyu Geto hot spring inn in Kitakami has seen a dramatic drop in visitors.

The ryokan’s owner, Hironori Takahashi, expressed concern over the growing perception that open-air baths are dangerous.

Business has plummeted to just 20 to 30 percent of typical October revenue after a fatal bear attack occurred at a nearby hot spring inn where a male employee was killed while cleaning an outdoor bath.

The incident, though 7 kilometers away, triggered about 150 cancellations.

The inn will close for winter on Nov. 10, with operations resuming in May. Takahashi fears that lingering anxiety and reputational damage may continue to affect business into next year.

Other regions are also taking precautions.

In Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, the Akechidaira Ropeway has suspended one-way ticket sales after bear sightings led to the closure of a popular hiking trail from the 1,373-meter-high observation deck.

The trail is typically a favorite among hikers for its descent through the vibrant trees.

In Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, a juvenile bear was spotted near the famed bamboo forest last month.

The city reported 30 bear sightings in October—double the number from the same period last year. A 66-year-old tourist from Tokyo even brought a bear bell as a precaution.

Multilingual warning signs and improved information-sharing with tourism operators are being implemented in response.

Meanwhile, in Toyama, a family campground closed down completely from Nov. 4 after three bear sightings on the grounds during the preceding weeks.

The site had about 20 reservations remaining for the season, which typically runs through November. Operators are now in talks with prefectural officials to plan future safety measures.

(This article was written by Hisaki Tamanaha, Kantaro Katashima and Hana Matsuo.)

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