Recently, there have been news reports of bears in the Tokyo metropolitan area, specifically in Okutama Town and the neighbouring Hinohara Village, and we realise that some of our customers may be concerned.
The routes we offer at Trekking do not take you deep into the mountains; whilst they are set amongst the hills, they mainly follow paths close to residential areas and roads. We have selected routes where the likelihood of encountering a bear is extremely low.
Furthermore, as a safety measure, we lend bear bells free of charge to customers who request them.
Of course, as this is an activity in the great outdoors, we cannot guarantee 100 per cent safety; however, we operate our rental service with safety as our top priority, whilst keeping abreast of the latest information. If you choose the downhill route from Okutama towards Ome, where you can drop off the bike, you will be close to public roads, so it is highly unlikely that any wildlife will appear.
Please feel free to enjoy Okutama’s rich natural surroundings with peace of mind. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
*Please note that in the event of bear sightings or official warnings from the authorities, we may alter the route or cancel the tour. As safety is our top priority, we ask for your understanding.
It is also worth noting that not every sighting is necessarily a bear. Okutama Town specifically warns that some reports may be mistaken for the Japanese serow (kamoshika), a wild goat-antelope often seen in mountain areas.
