What to do in the field, and how to read bear behaviour.
Encounter & Field Knowledge What Shiretoko’s Official Guide Says About Bear Encounters
What Japan's Ministry of the Environment says about bear encounters in Shiretoko — from cars, on the trail, and what to do if one gets close.
Encounter & Field Knowledge Ura-Mashu Outer Rim & Kami-no-ko-ike Trail: What to Know Before You Hike
A 43km Hokkaido East Trail section past the Ura-Mashu caldera view and Kami-no-ko-ike pond — season dates, permits, and what the trail says about wildlife.
Encounter & Field Knowledge What to Know Before Hiking the Kussharo Caldera Trail (KCT)
What KCT's official rules say about bears, trail closures, and a new car-camping ban at Tsubetsu Pass — before you hike this new Hokkaido East Trail section.
Encounter & Field Knowledge What to Know About Bears Before Hiking the Mashu-Kussharo Trail
What the Mashu-Kussharo Trail's official guide says about bear bells, bear spray, and what to do in an encounter — summarized in English.
Encounter & Field Knowledge How to Read Hokkaido’s Official Bear Activity Sites (Even If You Don’t Read Japanese)
Two official Japanese-language sites track bear activity across Hokkaido's mountains. Here's how to read the caution levels and reports before you hike.