Industry News
A dramatic bear encounter captured on video by a professional snowboarder in Hakuba has sharpened attention on a growing national crisis: Japan is experiencing its deadliest year on record for bear attacks, with 13 people killed and hundreds injured across the country. Hakuba Valley is home to 10 resorts with over 200+ runs and offers some of the best backcountry skiing in Japan.
The video, filmed early on the morning of December 7 and widely shared online, shows a bear running up a ski slope toward a snowboarder enjoying first tracks. The rider later identified himself as Makoto Kuroki, a professional snowboarder who lives and works in Hakuba. In a detailed blog post, Kuroki said the encounter occurred on an untouched run during the resort’s early hours, a time when human activity—and noise—is minimal.
A memorable moment from my first run of the season: meeting a bear on the slopes
Let’s enjoy winter sports while respecting nature and protecting our mountains ️❄️ pic.twitter.com/G5Yfp2qPvz— MAKOTO KUROKI (@MK2BLACK) December 8, 2025
“When I turned there was a bear. I was surprised,” Kuroki said to The Japan Times in an interview, describing how the animal chased him briefly before breaking off and returning to the forest. “Had I fallen I would have been caught. Had I collided I might have been attacked. It was a close call.”
In his blog, Kuroki stressed that the video should be understood in context, noting that Hakuba Village has been operating enhanced bear-safety measures since autumn. According to his account, every reported sighting triggers village-wide announcements over public loudspeakers, while a regularly updated “Bear Sighting Map” highlights high-risk areas. Authorities and the local hunting association have also been actively driving bears away using firecrackers and increased patrols.
Following the December 7 sighting, ski resorts in the area further tightened protocols. Kuroki said patrols were stepped up and riders were advised to take additional precautions, particularly those heading up early in the morning.
His account aligns with reports from Hakuba47 Mountain Sports Park, which confirmed on its website that it had received two bear sighting reports earlier in the week. “We have received a report of a possible bear sighting within the ski resort. As a precaution, we are working with the local hunting association to increase patrols and implement bear-prevention measures.We kindly ask guests to refrain from eating outdoors or leaving food outside for the time being,” the resort warned on its website. “We’ve been patrolling to check if there are bear footprints every day,” Kazuya Shirakawa of Hakuba47 said to the Japanese Times, adding that staff had not detected further signs of bears after the initial reports.
Experts, such as Mochizuki Shota, an associate professor at Fukushima University, point to environmental factors behind the surge in encounters. This year saw a poor acorn harvest—a key food source for bears—alongside a rise in deer populations. In Hakuba, unusually warm early-winter conditions meant only two days of heavy snowfall, raising concerns that some bears may not have entered hibernation at all.The problem is being exacerbated by a growing bear population and rural depopulation, which leaves more human settlements bordering unmanaged woodland.
The trend has been stark in Nagano Prefecture. On December 4, a bear attacked a man in his 70s as he cleared snow outside his home in Nozawaonsen Village, clawing his face and thigh. Police said it was the first December bear attack in a residential area since the prefecture began keeping records in 1977.
According to NHK data, as of early December bears had injured 235 people and killed 13 across 21 prefectures, marking the highest toll on record. Akita Prefecture alone recorded 66 incidents, forcing schools, universities and businesses to adopt emergency measures, including bear spray stations, firecrackers and restricted building access.
The impact has extended beyond public safety into tourism and local economies. In northern regions known for autumn foliage and hot springs, hotels and inns have reported mass cancellations this fall. A 130-year-old inn in Akita saw more than 300 bookings canceled after a fatal attack at a nearby hot spring, while local breweries and shops reported double-digit drops in sales.
Mochizuki Shota told NHK that while many bears have already entered hibernation, a smaller number remain active. Some, he said, may be orphaned cubs that never learned to hibernate after their mothers were killed. “These bears may continue straying into urban areas in search of food,” he warned in NHK’s interview, urging residents to remain vigilant and watch for paw prints in snow.
For Kuroki, the encounter was both a warning and a reminder. In his blog post, he emphasized personal responsibility for early-morning riders, recommending whistles, heightened awareness and extra care around children and visitors unfamiliar with Japan’s wildlife risks. “We are able to enjoy skiing and snowboarding thanks to the mountains—home to bears, deer, and many other wildlife species. I am once again reminded to appreciate this environment that we are borrowing. As a professional snowboarder, I will continue promoting safe and enjoyable outdoor sports while respecting the natural world around us.”
As Japan grapples with an unprecedented rise in bear attacks, the incident inside the Hakuba resort serves as a reminder to be vigilant and to remember that in many places, winter sports overlap with, and disrupt, wildlife habitat.
