Shiga Kogen is located in the center of Joshin’etsu Kogen National Park, one of the most protected natural environments in Japan, with “special protection areas” such as virgin forests that have remained intact since ancient times.
The rich natural environment nurtures diverse ecosystems, many of which provide habitat for wild animals such as the Asiatic black bear, Japanese hares, red foxes, macaques, and serows.
If you’re very lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of an ermine – a rare treat, even for the locals!
To help protect wild animals and the surrounding environment, and to support our coexistence with nature please keep the following points in mind when exploring the Shiga Kogen.
To Prevent the Encounter of Bears
- Always bring a bear bell, radio, or other sound-emitting device to alert bears to your presence.
- Be especially careful early in the morning, at night, and in bad weather.
- Avoid hiking the mountain alone.
- If you see a bamboo grove moving unnaturally or hear rustling noises, there is a good chance that a bear is there, so leave the area slowly.
If You Encounter Bears
- DO NOT yell, throw things, or run away, as this may startle the bears.
- Back away slowly and calmly without turning your back, and keep your eyes on the bear.
- Sudden movements can startle the bear and trigger an attack. Stay calm and leave only after the bear has gone.
- If attacked, protect your face and head with your arms to avoid serious injury.
Japanese Monkeys
They might come down onto the road in search of food or move close to people. Being relatively accustomed to humans, they may approach anyone holding food. There’s also a risk they could take bags or smartphones, so caution is advised.
Monkeys are much smarter than you might think. If you approach them out of curiosity, raise your voice, or try to take pictures just because they are rare, they may become aggressive or threaten you.
If you encounter them, try to observe from a distance without getting too close. This will help protect both you and your belongings.
- Do NOT look into their eyes. This signals a threat to them and may provoke an attack.
- DO NOT feed them, as it will reinforce this behavior.
- DO NOT show any food or drinks. They will come to you.
- Never stop to take photos, as this can lead to traffic accidents or rear-end collisions.
- Stay calm, move away slowly.
- If If bitten, wash the area and see a doctor.
Take Your Rubbish Home
Litter, including food waste, can disrupt the natural balance and harm wildlife. To help foster a healthy relationship between humans and animals, we ask for your understanding and cooperation.
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
