The Familiar Jingle of the Trail
On nearly every well-trodden mountain trail in Japan, from the gentle slopes of Mt. Takao to the exposed ridgelines of Yatsugatake, one sound is almost always present: the steady jingle of bear bells. Dangling from backpacks, trekking poles, or belts, these small brass or iron bells are intended to scare off bears by alerting them to your presence.
But are they actually effective? And more importantly—are they even necessary? As with many aspects of hiking in Japan, the story of bear bells is more complex than it first appears.
Bears in Japan: Where They Live and Roam
Japan is home to two native bear species, both generally active from May to November:
• Ussuri Brown Bear (Higuma ヒグマ): Found only in Hokkaido, this large and potentially aggressive bear is similar to the North American grizzly. While encounters remain relatively rare, attacks—including fatal ones—do occur from time to time, particularly in remote or uninhabited areas.
• Asian Black Bear (Tsuki-no-waguma ツキノワグマ): Found across Honshu and Shikoku, and formerly in Kyushu—where it is now likely extinct—this smaller, more reclusive species can still be dangerous, particularly if surprised or defending cubs.
These bears prefer dense, forested areas away from human activity, though sightings are increasingly reported in satoyama (the rural-urban forest edge), reflecting both shifting bear behaviour and Japan’s rural depopulation. In practice, it’s rare to encounter bears on heavily trafficked or alpine trails where vegetation is sparse and foot traffic constant. Yet paradoxically, these are the very places where bear bells are heard most frequently.
From My Experience
In nearly two decades of hiking in Japan, I’ve only spotted two Asian Black Bears—both in 2022. The first was en route to Mt. Kurodake in Yamanashi, and the second while descending from Mt. Hotaka in Gunma. The first appeared in open forest; the second on a trail flanked by Kumazasa bamboo. In both situations, there was, thankfully, a good amount of distance between us.
Bear Bells: Safety Device or Soundtrack?
Bear bells are widely available at outdoor stores across Japan and come in a surprising variety of styles and tones—some with magnetic clappers to silence them when not needed. They’re also sold in souvenir shops, blurring the line between safety device and a memento.
Their popularity, especially among older hikers, suggests that the bells serve purposes beyond the purely practical. In many cases, they function more like ritual objects or personal talismans—a habitual part of the pre-hike checklist. The logic seems to be: why not?
But therein lies the irony. Bear bells are most often worn on trails where the risk of encountering a bear is vanishingly small. On well-trodden ridgelines or popular hiking routes like Mt. Tanzawa and Mt. Tateyama, the sheer volume of foot traffic already acts as a natural deterrent. In these contexts, the bells may offer more reassurance to the hiker than any practical deterrence to wildlife.
Outside Scepticism and Local Context
Among non-Japanese hikers in Japan, bear bells often attract scepticism. Some view them as ineffective or even counterproductive, citing overseas studies and expert opinions suggesting that bells don’t reliably prevent bear encounters. In North America, there is also concern—largely anecdotal—that bears may become habituated to the sound of bells, possibly associating them with hikers carrying food.
In Japan, however, such data is limited and inconclusive. A 2017 Mainichi article noted that hikers had been attacked despite carrying bells, while a Japan Today report on a fatal bear attack in 2023 highlighted ongoing debate about the best ways to stay safe on the trail. Despite these incidents, the bell remains the default precaution.
Interestingly, while bear bells are worn reflexively by many Japanese hikers, bear spray is far less common. Some non-Japanese hikers—perhaps drawing from North American experience—do carry bear spray, especially in Hokkaido or remote forested areas. This divergence underscores deeper cultural differences in how risk is perceived and managed.
So Why the Bells?
The bear bell, then, seems to serve as much a social signal as a safety measure. It says, I’m prepared. I’m respectful of the mountain. I’m part of the hiking community. The fact that bells are worn in low-risk areas suggests they are more about managing anxiety and etiquette than actual encounters.
In that sense, they may be less about bears—and more about us.
What To Do If You Encounter a Bear
Whether you carry a bell or not, it’s worth reviewing what to do in the rare event of a bear encounter.
• Stay Calm: Do not panic or make sudden movements, which could startle the bear.
• Do Not Run: Running can trigger the bear’s instinct to chase.
• Do Not Turn Your Back: This can be seen as a threat and may provoke an attack.
• Slowly Back Away: Move backward at a steady pace, keeping the bear in sight.
• Make Yourself Look Big: If the bear approaches, try to appear larger by holding your arms up or clapping your hands.
• Use Bear Spray: If you have bear spray, be mindful of the wind direction and spray the bear in the face to deter it.
• If Attacked: Protect your head and neck with your arms or backpack. Curl into a ball if necessary, facing down, to protect vital organs.
Ways to Avoid Bear Encounters in the First Place
• Shout or clap your hands at regular intervals, especially on overgrown trails or in areas with poor visibility.
• Pay attention to warning signs or recent bear sighting notices posted at trailheads.
• Avoid hiking alone in known bear habitat or during dawn and dusk, when bears are more active.
These techniques are particularly important in less-travelled areas, where natural sounds may not be enough to alert bears to your presence. Japanese guidelines often emphasise avoiding areas with recent bear sightings and respecting trail closures.
Beyond the Jingle
While the science on bear bells remains inconclusive, their symbolic value in Japanese hiking culture is undeniable. They offer a kind of sonic comfort—a ritualised presence that ties the hiker to nature, community, and tradition.
Just remember: even the loudest bell is no substitute for situational awareness, local knowledge, and common sense. Sometimes, it’s not about scaring the bear. It’s about keeping the hiker calm.
What are your thoughts on bear bells? Have you had any bear encounters while hiking in Japan?
I recall my oldest daughter’s reaction when I told her I’d purchased a bear bell: “Why would you want to call a bear while hiking?!”
Sometimes they can really jangle the nerves. On long trail runs they can be truly mind numbing- especially on extended climbs in the middle of the night.
That said, bear bells give you advanced warning that an approaching animal is most likely human. I have been surprised from time to time by the rustle of a silent hiker approaching from the opposite direction. Had he been jingling, I would not have flinched.
That’s a really good point, Andrew – I hadn’t considered the value of bear bells as a heads-up for other hikers. I actually remember coming down Mt. Shibutsu in Oze once and giving an older hiker quite a fright. The trail was narrow and overgrown, and the sound of my pack brushing through the vegetation made him think I was a bear. If I’d had a bell, it probably would’ve spared him that scare!
I carry a bear bell in all of my packs, but generally only wear it when I’m hiking alone in areas where there aren’t many other hikers. I also happen to have omamori with the attendant tiny bells on every pack as well, so I do always have a very faint jingle, but that is not for anti-bear purposes 🙂
When I’m hiking in Hokkaido in remote areas, I travel with a friend who does carry their spray and we both wear bills. He’s a mountain guide up there by profession, and does think the bells help. At a minimum, he wears them and wants his clients to wear them when hiking in remote areas up there.
I definitely see a social component to it too—fortunately, I don’t mind the jingling (mine or others’); it’s probably annoying for people who do though!
Hi, I think they are very annoying and can ruin the peace & quiet of being in the wilderness.
However, I agree with the above they are good for awareness – when trail runners use them as they can come up quickly on you that gives you time to get out of the way. Also, since they’re running you don’t hear it very long.
Thanks, Mike. You’re right – Andrew raises a good point about bells giving a bit of forewarning, which can be especially helpful with fast-approaching trail runners. Though I’ve also been caught out a few times – hearing what I thought was a bear bell in the distance, only to realise it was a bird mimicking the sound! Nature keeps us guessing…
Thanks for sharing that, Susan.
In the end, I think everyone has to decide what makes them feel most at ease when hiking. For me, it’s a risk I’m prepared to accept, and I mainly rely on other precautions – like calling out or clapping my hands regularly, especially on overgrown trails or where dense undergrowth limits visibility.