Mount Takao sits just an hour by train west of central Tokyo, and its 599-metre summit is arguably the capital's most popular day hike. Come autumn, with cooler air and turning leaves, crowds swell even further. Now there's a new wrinkle for anyone planning a trip up the mountain: an Asian black bear has been filmed close to the main trail.
The news came via Hachioji City, which administers Takao. Video from cameras on the mountain recorded an adult bear at around 11 p.m. on August 20, roughly 70 metres from Trail 1 — the busiest route to the summit, also known as the Omotesando Route. That's the path most first-timers take, winding past natural scenery and landmarks like the atmospheric Yakuoin Temple. The camera footage sat unnoticed until volunteers spotted it later, and the sighting was confirmed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government before the city issued its advisory.
The footage was captured near where Trail 1 crosses over the expressway's Takasosan Tunnel, about a 30 to 40-minute walk from the trailhead. Officials point out that bears do live in the area, so this isn't a shock — but it's closer to the main path than they typically venture. And with bear encounters rising across Japan in recent years, plus the autumn holiday season and leaf-peeping crowds on the way, the city isn't taking chances.
The advice for hikers is straightforward: skip the early morning, evening and night hours; hike with a friend or in a group rather than alone; and attach a bell or radio to your bag or belt. The point is to make noise so you never surprise a bear, which is when a defensive animal is most likely to turn aggressive.
None of this makes Takao a no-go. It remains an easy, well-marked climb — about two hours up and 90 minutes down — and millions tackle it every year without incident. But if you're heading up this autumn, go during daylight, make yourself audible, and don't be alarmed if you hear extra bells jangling on the trail. Everyone else got the same memo.