Bear Watching

Japan's dwindling bear population faces ever-increasing pressure from urban growth, as more and more of their natural habitat is taken over by infrastructure and engineering projects. However, there remain pockets of wilderness where these amazing creatures can still be seen in the wild.

We are proud to work with Oscar Huygens, a founder member of the Shinshu Asiatic Black Bear  Conservation Group, an NPO set up to study and help conserve the remaining population of bears in the Japan Alps. Oscar, the first person to obtain a PhD from studying Asiatic Black Bears, is an energetic and fun guide with an incredible knowledge of these beautiful animals.

Run in association with one of the most active bear conservation groups in Japan, this is an ideal way for nature lovers to spend a fun weekend as part of a group learning more about bear conservation issues with an expert guide. The 2 day tour will begin in the castle town of Matsumoto, two and a half hours outside Tokyo, before travelling up into the mountains by car and then following a hiking course into the mountains.

Accommodation will be at a mountain lodge and in the evening there will be a one hour presentation on bear ecology and bearhuman conflicts in this area of Japan. The following day, the group will have breakfast in the mountain lodge before hiking down to the valley. On the way you'll stop for a bento packed lunch, all the while taking in the breathtaking sights of the alpine region. Throughout the hike you will be able to see how, where and why bear-human conflicts have taken place. The group will then continue to Matsumoto and arrive by early evening.

Bear watching is an inclusive part of our Nature and Culture small group tour.