Shiga Kogen is located in the center of Joshinetsu 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 creates diverse ecosystems. Many of which are inhabited by wild animals such as the black bear. They can only live in rich natural environments, and they must live within this limited natural environment.
Please pay attention to the following tips to keep an appropriate distance from wild animals and help each other coexist in this environment.
To prevent the encounter of bears
– Always wear 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 a bear
– Do not yell, throw things, or run away, as this will startle the bear.
– Move away slowly and calmly. When doing so, do not turn your back on the bear, and back away slowly and calmly while keeping your eyes on the bear.
– A sudden movement by a panicked person may startle the bear and cause it to attack. Stay calm, do not panic, and leave the area only after the bear has gone away.
– If you are attacked suddenly, guard your face and head with your arms to avoid serious injury.
Japanese monkeys
– Japanese macaques can appear on the sides of sidewalks and other places, and they will threaten you. Please do not approach them.
– They have become accustomed to people. Do not feed them, as this will cause them to rapidly become accustomed to humans.
– Monkeys may be on the roadway. Please do not take pictures them on the roadway, as it is very dangerous and may result in traffic accidents or rear-end collisions.
Please do not throw garbage away
The garbage that people throw away (leftovers, etc.) destroys the ecosystems of wild animals. We need your understanding and cooperation to build a proper relationship between people and animals. Please do not litter.