You should make a hiking or camping trip video with this guy, I'd be interested in watching that. It'd also be funny to watch you complain the whole time lol
Your channel is absolutely amazing. The area from Japan that I come from is ukiha in Fukuoka and very close to the mountains. However I am also half English and live in London but go to see my family for a month every summer. So I am aware of the cultural admiration a lot of people have towards Japan. However allot of people only see Japan as a place of technology flashing lights and anime. I'm so glad that you are a channel that explores the diverse natural beautys and cultures of Japan and not just a tourist in Tokyo taking videos of cute fluffy mascots. Of course I love those things as well but I think the natural beauty and culture of Japan should be explored more as well.
Abroad in Japan and Sharmander channels brought me here. I'm subscribed, I have been looking for a good outdoor japan channel for a while now. Thanks for showing what you do.
Thank you for subscribing and welcome! Been a bit swamped lately but will be putting up videos for frequently in the near future! Almost done with the next hiking one now. It's focusing on the fall colors around here.
I needed this video 12 months ago - me and my daughter were hiking in Japan and we did all the things you said not to do. She ran and the bear bit her, ha. A hospital visit and some stitches later she has the scars to prove her experience and a story to tell. We were in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture.
OMG! That must have been terrifying! What an experience! Glad to hear that she was ok after some stitches. I don't personally know anyone that was actually attacked by a bear in Japan. I've seen 3 bears so far this year on the trails, but none of them went after me.
I have to correct you since you referenced me in your narrative! American black bears are to be treated the same way you described. UNLESS, you are camping and one is determined to come into your campsite to see what food you might have to offer. We were at a popular campsite, so he might have just been making his morning rounds. We were on the edge of a lake and he was swimming into shore and determined to get into our food pack. That was when we made a lot of noise, and waved our canoe paddles to make us look bigger, maintained eye contact and did not back off. It took several minutes of this and several separate attempts by the bear, including coming around the back and approaching us on land from the woods. We had to make it look like it wouldn't be worth his effort. Eventually he backed off, and we cooked our breakfast and packed up and paddled on our way. Tom's comment when it was over - "Ah, he's just like a hog on the farm."
Great hike mate! I had a kamoshika come right to my front door one time while I was living in Yunoyama onsen in Mie pref. That was the first time I had seen one, but occasionally see them on the drives up to and around the ski resorts here in Shizukuishi. Very cool to see!
It’s so wild the asiatic black bear can be so much more aggressive! growing up in Southern California, I would see black bears further south during the summers and they were so goofy and skittish! Even a chihuahuas bark will scare them.
This is great! I want to hike the next time I visit Japan, and your channel will help me plan! So cool you filmed the Sarrow! Such a pretty one too! I've only seen captive or photos.
Thank you! I know I've got a long way to go in just about every way, but having people watch and comment is really motivating to explore more places and improve editing, planning, etc.! Thank you!
It looks wonderful at the top of the mountain because where I'm from the trails are filled with trees so seeing those beautiful rock formations at the top were interesting, when ever i go to japan I hope to go to a peak like that
I have taken Umagaeshi course and Southern course before but not Nanataki course, that is so refreshing and inspiring.thank you very much. When I took the southern trail alone in July 9 years ago, I did not meet anybody( zero human beings ) on the way up and down except the summit area. So kind of scared at whole time. My parents gave me an advice before my trip to the mountain, "Bears also know that instinctively human trails belong to humans.they are not gonna mess with you " I remember it gave me a huge assurance. Do not worry too much just enjoy a trip.
I want this trail but its hard to me ,im planning this nagai yasumi hiking to Mt iwate again up to Mt. Gentagatake,, maybe 2days of hiking...nice video bro,keep safe
This weekend I absolutely needed to relax, and then I found your videos. Keep up the fantastic work, your videos are so therapeutic! Look forward to more amazing footage of north Japan and your hikes soon!
Great video, I really enjoyed your chilled, respectful demeanour, you'll make a great guide. I cycled the other end of Japan in 2016, no hiking but lots of hills, greenery and sublime sounds of running water. Perhaps I'll make it to the north one day.
I heard that mountain bikers are more prone to suddenly find themselves in front of bears and startle them into fighting, so that loud call would make sense as a means of being heard from afar! But I couldn't keep that up, so I'm glad I'm just a hiker :). Also: wow, there's a lot of beauty hiding on the slopes of Mount Iwate!
Yeah- I've seen some videos with bears chasing mountain bikers. Scary stuff! And yes, Mt. Iwate really is gorgeous! There are a number of really stunning areas that I haven't been able to make videos for yet. It really is stunning!
I live in Kyushu now but used to live in Sendai and have hiked all over Tohoku as well - Iwate is one of my favourites! This video was so cool to watch because I've also seen a kamoshika while hiking in Tohoku. I think it was a local hike in Sendai (Taihaku-san), if I recall correctly. I had no idea what the animal was and only glimpsed its fur at first so had an initial moment of panic in thinking it might be a wolf (I wasn't sure if Japan even has wolves - turns out it does not). I came face to face with a bear when hiking Bandai-san in Fukushima back in 2012. It was a bizarre experience because the trails were pretty busy that day and I was internally mocking all the hikers with bear bells, assuming a bear would be nowhere near the trails with all these pesky humans mulling about. Then I rounded a corner and there one stood, blissfully ignorant of my presence. I don't know who was more surprised at the encounter, me or the bear. Have you ever been hiking in Hokkaido and if so, any advice for dealing with the Higuma up there? I would love to explore that area but am worried as a solo hiker it'd be too dangerous. I've read that the Higuma are a lot more aggressive than black bears and can be a considerable risk to solo hikers.
Yeah.. bears are a real concern. I have not hiked in Hokkaido as of yet, though I do plan to try in the future as well. But yeah... higuma, the brown bears up there will actually eat you. One got loose in Akita (after being in captivity in a zoo-type facility) around 10 years ago and killed and partially ate 3 people. It's a real threat. I now carry bear spray with me everywhere... but that wouldn't be total protection against a Hokkaido bear. I would recommend going in a group where you are all carrying spray and staying together. I don't think I'd be brave enough to do a serious solo hike in Hokkaido.
@@GoNorthJapan wow I'm surprised I never heard of the Akita incident, that would have been around the time I was living in Aomori. The only warning I was constantly getting from coworkers at the time about hiking alone was to watch for ghosts on Hakkouda, which is apparently haunted by the army troupe that perished during a winter excursion about a hundred years ago. Oh also to beware of the noxious sulfur gases - apparently there was a death earlier that year of a girl who went off the trail looking for sansai and was overcome and sadly wasn't found until too late. I agree that solo hiking on Hokkaido may not be the best idea - except maybe Rishiki-dake! I wouldn't do solo backcountry hiking in the Rockies, either, but somehow mountains in Japan seem less threatening.
I found your channel today mate and watched all your videos, you deserve way more subscribers, keep up the great work and I'm looking forward to your new adventures! (turned notifs on too🙂)
A beautiful scenic nature video. The Asiatic Black Bear is known to to be more aggressive and violent prone to viciously attack human beings, more so then American Black Bear or even the various species of Eurasian Brown Bears. Sadly beautiful Japan is an intrusive Police State. Which arbitrarily limits it's own people from having the means and capabilities to defend ones self against apex predatorial animals like the Asiatic Black Bear or Wild Boars etc. The logical answer is for the Japanese government to make legislative changes to their intrusive arbitary laws which prohitbit Japanese people and legal residents of Japan to be allowed to be armed for Wilderness Defense purposes with the proper safety devices; such as like Pepper Bear Spray and capable Handgun or a Boar Spear or Sword. It's extreamly ironic that the educated Japanese people cannot figuer it out that;well trained armed people in proper context consititute a "Safery Force" in all manners. Be it from stopping Criminal, Terroristic attacks to opposing an outside invaider to protecting one's self out and about from apex predatorial animals like the Asiatic Black Bears species, Wild Boar, Felines etc. I do understand that the mindset of the Japanese people is different from that of American people in general. While I have never been to Japan, several close friends of mine have lived for long peroids in Japan. In discussing this subject they told me that the Japanese collective inbred "Feudal"Overlord" vs "subject" mind set is the major problem. As is historically known it was the Japanese Overlords, Shoguns during fuedal times who arbitarally made laws, decrees disarming the common people of Japan. Where only the Knight Samurai Warrior class was the only people allowed to own, posses and carry Firearms, Swords and other Weapons. The right to be armed with a safety device like a firearm is a natural right for preserving human life from severe injuries or death. In most parts of the USA and some other countries that allow people to carry Firearms in wilderness areas, properly armed hikers, campers, fishermen have been sucessfully able to stop apex predatorial animals like Wild Boar, Bears , Moose, Mountain Lions- Felines etc. From killing a human being with the proper use of a firearm or Bear Spray when necessary. I find it foolish and self defeating that the highly educated Japanese people as a whole cannot see this and greatly oppose changing their arbitary draconian Firearms Laws. Documented statistics and time has proven that the lawabiding people who are armed and trained are not a problem. They are a Force Multiplier for good, saving lives. All it takes is seconds by an attacking apex predatorial animal like a Bear or Wild Boar to injure or kill a human being. Without the proper safety devices in general a person will be doomed. It's common logical sense to allow lawabiding citizens to be arned with the necessary safety devices to be able to quickly respond at a critical moment to defend themselves from life threatening attacis from apex Predatorial animals such as the Asiatic Black Bear. Just a few years ago in Japan, in September 2009 in an suburban urban area, an Asiatic Black Bear viciously attacked mauling 9 tourists and further attacking 4 people at a bus stop severely injuring people in Takayama Gifu. In 2016 May & June in Akita prefecture was another horrific incident where an Asian Black Bear killed 4 people who were picking Bamboo Shoots. In August 2016 in Gunma prefecture, a female wilderness safari guide in Japan was viciously attacked and killed in her car by an Asiatic Black Bear. Having been a long time Lawenforcement Officer I know that Police in general will not be able to respond in time to stop such vicious dangerous animal atracks on people. I hope someday that Japanese lawmakers will introduce such common sense legislation to be made into law throught Japan to allow lawabiding citizens of Japan and legal residents to be allowed to be armed for personal self defense against maurading man or beast, as such will be a Force Multiplier for Saving lives.
I just did a hike of Mt Hakkoda and it seemed like half of the hikers wore bells. I think if there are that many hikers on a trail, the bells are not necessary. But I found them useful if I heard someone coming around a blind corner 😂
How are you going learning the 170 alpine flowers?! Do you know many of the birds in the area? Whenever I travel (I'm from Australia), I always buy a bird book from the country I'm visiting, but I didn't get a chance to when I visited Japan last November!
That's a great idea! I just learn mainly by asking other hikers, though if I see an interesting one I google it when I get home, find a match, then confirm with older experienced Japanese hikers that know these things.
Love your videos! I’m a new subscriber and love seeing all the scenery and places I want to visit! Your stories and insight are great too. May I suggest you get a video SD card or higher quality card? I notice that the video has a lot of weird pixelation moments, and my camera knowledgeable hubby thought it might be due to the SD card quality. Would love to see those gorgeous views without pixelation. :) Keep up the good work!
GoNorth Japan happy to help! I noticed it in more recent videos too, and think it would make your already great videos even better! So glad I found your channel.
Just found you thru Sharia!! So happy to see you show the Tohoku area. Have you been to Otsuchi yet? My husband went there to help after the great Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011.
Yes! I actually did volunteer work there in 2011 as well! I've been there just a couple of times since then. (Participated in a sake-rice-planting activity, etc.) I'll definitely be showing tons more of Tohoku!
So you're literally living my dream, hiking through Japan... If you don't mind me asking, how can you afford this & where do you live? I hope that your channel will kick off and allow future adventures! Definitely subscribed!
Thanks and welcome! More than hiking through Japan, I'm rather living in northern Japan and hiking around the area where I live. Most of the hiking that I do is within day-trip range. I'm planning to also do some more distant hiking in Japan, but have been busy with work this season. I live in Morioka and it's actually a rather inexpensive place to live. I do a wide variety of work as I think a lot of us immigrants to Japan end up doing. I regularly do translation, narration, interpretation, have an Airbnb, and once in a while get a TV commercial gig. Not exactly a normal career, but as I said, its an inexpensive part of the world to live in these days. I really do love this northern part of Tohoku and want to see it getting appreciated more! I hope that I can make some interesting videos highlighting some of what I find to be the best unknown (or known) parts! Can only go up from here!
I had a bear at my turb last week at Hokkaido. luckily I closed it because it was still cold. I heard two of them a big and smaller one. And almost pissed my pants. It wasn't fun. Took them 2 hours to leave. Always bring bear spray with you in Hokkaido. Brown 🐻 are no jokes a bell actually can attract bears because they are very curious animals I recommend to clap with two woods ( like they do to warn elderlies in Japan about the winter stoves and fires)
Yeah, brown bears are no joke indeed! Interesting idea about the clapping to pieces of wood together like those fire prevention patrols. I'm glad there are only black bears in Tohoku...
@@GoNorthJapan haha I bet you are!. I will buy an electric wire to put around my tarp tent . Cuz I don't want any fatty brown bear sitting on me in the middle of the night. I have never been so scared in my life. It was crazy. I could litterly feel him touching my walls sniffing around. I was so happy I closed it up. But in the end he could totally got in if he wanted to. I just set it up on two hiking poles so it's not the most stable. I also had no food with me so I guess that saved my ass. Any other tips are welcome of you have.
Don't know Asian bears but I live in Nordic country, near forest and I've seen a bear in short distance couple times. There also are a wolves and a lynx in forest I hike a lot in the forest and I've noticed wild animals avoid humans.
There are no wild boars in any of the areas that I've hiked in Tohoku so I actually have no idea! Next time I meet a hiker that's been all over Japan I'll ask them!
@@GoNorthJapan interesting! There are always warnings for boars around Kanagawa and I saw a baby one once. They're stereotypically easy to anger animals, so I was just wondering what to do if I see a big one.
@@nemoforever Kyushu hiker here! Wild boars (inoshishi) are really common here. They're not considered hugely dangerous under normal circumstances and are generally afraid of humans, unless it's mating season or they've recently given birth. Fukuoka prefecture recommends that if you encounter one, you should slowly and quietly withdraw from the area. Do not run and do not turn your back, as this type of behaviour might provoke an attack. Do not act aggressively (waving a stick or throwing rocks) as this can send the animal into a rage and provoke an attack. Similar to bears, if you see a piglet, the mother is likely nearby and you should keep a very wide distance. Worst case scenario, if you find yourself very close to one that is acting aggressively, the best you can do is either flee to a safe area, where you're out of the animal's line of sight, while attempting to leave an escape route for the animal, or if possible climb a tree. Pigs aren't great climbers :)
What a bear of an episode!😅 Can’t help but think about Chris, he would have ran at the first hint of a bear presence! Seriously there is video proof of it😂 Maybe you could give him a crash course and take him with you next time, like to make him face his arkoudaphobia head on😅? On a more serious note; At last I get to know what that bell sound is! In all your previous hicking videos there was that sound and I kept wondering what is was about. Mystery solved!🤩 Aside from the name of more than a hundred japanese flowers what do you have to know, or what are the qualifications that you have to meet to be considerd a fully fledged guide? How hard it is? Maybe the subject for another video?🤔
Yeah- I am looking forward to whenever Chris has time for a hike up Mt. Iwate. He's really busy all the time, but hopefully it will happen this year. There's no national requirement or licensing for guides in Japan, so it's kind of hard to answer.. There are some private companies that have qualifications and exams for Japanese people to be interpreter-guides, but a lot of those don't really seem worth doing as the return on effort isn't clear... For me I'm going by international standards, so getting the wilderness first aid certification, and I have one called NEAL (Nature Experience Activity Leader) as well. I'll feel confident after I get more experience I think.
@@GoNorthJapan As I said in another comment, promise Chris the best karaage in Iwate or Morioka and he’ll come running😅 More seriously now, with all the nature in Japan is it kind of weird to me that there is no mandatory standard for guides, certified or not (how can that be?), more when an accident can happen anytime (cliffs, torikabuto, bears, etc). If you are following international standards where in japan are you learning? And again, If there is no national requirement how can your licence be recognized by the japanese government? Do you need to🤔? Sorry for all the questions but I love hicking and its so intertesting to get to know how things work in Japan🙂...
Yes, absolutely! But if you're thinking the Matsukawa Course- I'd want you to be confident on your level of fitness. That's the longest route with a long steep slope and I can imagine a lot of people having some real trouble with it. If you are experienced and in great shape, then absolutely! Otherwise I'd recommend an easier route. It is epic though. I love that route!
There are no wild big cats in Japan. So just bears, Japanese serow, deer, foxes, and maybe wild boar will start to be more present up here as snow decreases each year. Haha, my lunches are pretty humble. Usually just onigiri and a sandwich. Maybe I'll show it sometime..
@@GoNorthJapan this just made hiking near the Hollywood sign sound more dangerous 😅 we have mountain lions. In the summer we have rattle snakes as well. The bears here are pretty chill though and a few go down to people's backyard pools to cool off during the day. We've had more issues with coyotes than the larger animals though.
Delighted to see after 3 years of relentless prodding, you've finally created your RUclips channel mate!
Relentless prodding much appreciated!
You should make a hiking or camping trip video with this guy, I'd be interested in watching that. It'd also be funny to watch you complain the whole time lol
a camping video of you two would be legendary
Your channel is absolutely amazing. The area from Japan that I come from is ukiha in Fukuoka and very close to the mountains. However I am also half English and live in London but go to see my family for a month every summer. So I am aware of the cultural admiration a lot of people have towards Japan. However allot of people only see Japan as a place of technology flashing lights and anime. I'm so glad that you are a channel that explores the diverse natural beautys and cultures of Japan and not just a tourist in Tokyo taking videos of cute fluffy mascots. Of course I love those things as well but I think the natural beauty and culture of Japan should be explored more as well.
Found this via Sharla... I should visit this channel more as I love hiking around Japan... But the easy trails of course...
Thanks! I recently bought a drone so I'll do a video this year showing some of the easier hikes with fall colors!
@@quindrax that would be beautiful... Thanks
Abroad in Japan brought me here and now I'm a new sub
Thank you and welcome!
Abroad in Japan and Sharmander channels brought me here. I'm subscribed, I have been looking for a good outdoor japan channel for a while now. Thanks for showing what you do.
Thank you for subscribing and welcome! Been a bit swamped lately but will be putting up videos for frequently in the near future! Almost done with the next hiking one now. It's focusing on the fall colors around here.
I needed this video 12 months ago - me and my daughter were hiking in Japan and we did all the things you said not to do. She ran and the bear bit her, ha. A hospital visit and some stitches later she has the scars to prove her experience and a story to tell. We were in Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture.
OMG! That must have been terrifying! What an experience! Glad to hear that she was ok after some stitches. I don't personally know anyone that was actually attacked by a bear in Japan. I've seen 3 bears so far this year on the trails, but none of them went after me.
Sharla in Japan led me to your channel. So beautiful, and need to watch more.
Thank you! The quality will keep improving! (Or that's what I'm striving for!)
I love the quality. See new places in Japan city, urban, or forest counrty side. I love it.
ムーンベア❣
I have to correct you since you referenced me in your narrative! American black bears are to be treated the same way you described. UNLESS, you are camping and one is determined to come into your campsite to see what food you might have to offer. We were at a popular campsite, so he might have just been making his morning rounds. We were on the edge of a lake and he was swimming into shore and determined to get into our food pack. That was when we made a lot of noise, and waved our canoe paddles to make us look bigger, maintained eye contact and did not back off. It took several minutes of this and several separate attempts by the bear, including coming around the back and approaching us on land from the woods. We had to make it look like it wouldn't be worth his effort. Eventually he backed off, and we cooked our breakfast and packed up and paddled on our way. Tom's comment when it was over - "Ah, he's just like a hog on the farm."
Got it! Thanks for the story!
Great hike mate! I had a kamoshika come right to my front door one time while I was living in Yunoyama onsen in Mie pref. That was the first time I had seen one, but occasionally see them on the drives up to and around the ski resorts here in Shizukuishi. Very cool to see!
It’s so wild the asiatic black bear can be so much more aggressive!
growing up in Southern California, I would see black bears further south during the summers and they were so goofy and skittish! Even a chihuahuas bark will scare them.
This is great! I want to hike the next time I visit Japan, and your channel will help me plan! So cool you filmed the Sarrow! Such a pretty one too! I've only seen captive or photos.
Was waiting for a channel focusing on more nature oriented content, like hiking and stuff. Awesome channel!
Thank you! I know I've got a long way to go in just about every way, but having people watch and comment is really motivating to explore more places and improve editing, planning, etc.! Thank you!
Been living in Japan for the last year with longterm plans to stay and I would LOVE to hike in the northern area!
found you through Sharla, I really like how discriptive you are and all the facts you give us!
::Laughs at own pun:: you’re adorable. :-)
Thanks for this video i never realised Japan was so beautiful you have inspired me to go here
Just found your channel! Will be spending time in northern Japan next year and want to enjoy the outdoors as much as I can 😊
So glad to hear that! There are lots of great things to experience throughout the seasons!
It looks wonderful at the top of the mountain because where I'm from the trails are filled with trees so seeing those beautiful rock formations at the top were interesting, when ever i go to japan I hope to go to a peak like that
You laughing at your dad joke had me cracking up! That's awesome you got to see a serow!
Ahahaha... and yeah- got lucky with the serow up there!
Amazing, I love hiking in Japan but have mostly hiked in Kyushu. Iwate is now on my list for my next visit!
There really are a lot of great hikes here!
I have taken Umagaeshi course and Southern course before but not Nanataki course, that is so refreshing and inspiring.thank you very much.
When I took the southern trail alone in July 9 years ago, I did not meet anybody( zero human beings ) on the way up and down except the summit area.
So kind of scared at whole time.
My parents gave me an advice before my trip to the mountain, "Bears also know that instinctively human trails belong to humans.they are not gonna mess with you "
I remember it gave me a huge assurance. Do not worry too much just enjoy a trip.
I want this trail but its hard to me ,im planning this nagai yasumi hiking to Mt iwate again up to Mt. Gentagatake,, maybe 2days of hiking...nice video bro,keep safe
This weekend I absolutely needed to relax, and then I found your videos. Keep up the fantastic work, your videos are so therapeutic! Look forward to more amazing footage of north Japan and your hikes soon!
Thanks! Appreciate it!
And now I know where the Yamaha name Serow came from! btw, Sharla sent me :-)
Nice! If you've ever seen the movie Princess Mononoke, the forest-spirit deer (and maybe the deer ridden by Ashitaka too?) is based on a serow.
Great video, I really enjoyed your chilled, respectful demeanour, you'll make a great guide. I cycled the other end of Japan in 2016, no hiking but lots of hills, greenery and sublime sounds of running water. Perhaps I'll make it to the north one day.
I heard that mountain bikers are more prone to suddenly find themselves in front of bears and startle them into fighting, so that loud call would make sense as a means of being heard from afar! But I couldn't keep that up, so I'm glad I'm just a hiker :). Also: wow, there's a lot of beauty hiding on the slopes of Mount Iwate!
Yeah- I've seen some videos with bears chasing mountain bikers. Scary stuff! And yes, Mt. Iwate really is gorgeous! There are a number of really stunning areas that I haven't been able to make videos for yet. It really is stunning!
lol woot woot .. thanks Quinlan love going on adventures with you.
Great video! I hike in Kyushu where there aren’t any bears but I carry a bell anyway because I’m scared of inoshishi! Haha
Ah! Nice! Well- no inoshishi up here.. so there's that!
amazing video dude plus great advice with the bears not kilin us
"or whatever focusing substance you like to use... thats permitted by japanese law" :D
I live in Kyushu now but used to live in Sendai and have hiked all over Tohoku as well - Iwate is one of my favourites! This video was so cool to watch because I've also seen a kamoshika while hiking in Tohoku. I think it was a local hike in Sendai (Taihaku-san), if I recall correctly. I had no idea what the animal was and only glimpsed its fur at first so had an initial moment of panic in thinking it might be a wolf (I wasn't sure if Japan even has wolves - turns out it does not).
I came face to face with a bear when hiking Bandai-san in Fukushima back in 2012. It was a bizarre experience because the trails were pretty busy that day and I was internally mocking all the hikers with bear bells, assuming a bear would be nowhere near the trails with all these pesky humans mulling about. Then I rounded a corner and there one stood, blissfully ignorant of my presence. I don't know who was more surprised at the encounter, me or the bear.
Have you ever been hiking in Hokkaido and if so, any advice for dealing with the Higuma up there? I would love to explore that area but am worried as a solo hiker it'd be too dangerous. I've read that the Higuma are a lot more aggressive than black bears and can be a considerable risk to solo hikers.
Yeah.. bears are a real concern. I have not hiked in Hokkaido as of yet, though I do plan to try in the future as well. But yeah... higuma, the brown bears up there will actually eat you. One got loose in Akita (after being in captivity in a zoo-type facility) around 10 years ago and killed and partially ate 3 people. It's a real threat. I now carry bear spray with me everywhere... but that wouldn't be total protection against a Hokkaido bear. I would recommend going in a group where you are all carrying spray and staying together. I don't think I'd be brave enough to do a serious solo hike in Hokkaido.
@@GoNorthJapan wow I'm surprised I never heard of the Akita incident, that would have been around the time I was living in Aomori. The only warning I was constantly getting from coworkers at the time about hiking alone was to watch for ghosts on Hakkouda, which is apparently haunted by the army troupe that perished during a winter excursion about a hundred years ago. Oh also to beware of the noxious sulfur gases - apparently there was a death earlier that year of a girl who went off the trail looking for sansai and was overcome and sadly wasn't found until too late.
I agree that solo hiking on Hokkaido may not be the best idea - except maybe Rishiki-dake! I wouldn't do solo backcountry hiking in the Rockies, either, but somehow mountains in Japan seem less threatening.
I want also to climb mount Iwate ..I live in hachimantai ..Iwate San is in front of my apartment..very nice vlog..great experienced
Lucky you! Hachimantai is a fantastic place! If I lived there I'd climb Mt. Iwate at least once a week!
@@GoNorthJapan the problem here is that its hard for transportation not all places have buses..
@@NelvinCagas Yeah, it is kinda hard without a car.
Beautiful sights !
There's nothing better than laughing at your own jokes that aren't even really funny. :D I know the feeling all too well...
Must be a lucky guy. Met kamushikas face to face more than once. Once I almost got ran over by a pair over in La France Onsen!
You're local? Were you there for the onsen or the trailhead to Mt. Azumane?
Both. Got to get to the top for that discount!
Cheers for the bear call. ill be using it in Kyoto.
I found your channel today mate and watched all your videos, you deserve way more subscribers, keep up the great work and I'm looking forward to your new adventures! (turned notifs on too🙂)
Thank you so much! Really appreciate it!
Doing what I can to improve everything!
Bear after hearing the call: dafuq was that? Run fellow fuzzies, run! It's one of those huge chimpanzees!
A beautiful scenic nature video.
The Asiatic Black Bear is known to
to be more aggressive and violent prone to viciously attack human beings, more so then American Black Bear or even the various species of Eurasian Brown Bears.
Sadly beautiful Japan is an intrusive Police State. Which arbitrarily limits it's own people from having the means and capabilities to defend ones self against apex predatorial animals like the Asiatic Black Bear or Wild Boars etc.
The logical answer is for the Japanese government to make legislative changes to their intrusive arbitary laws which prohitbit Japanese people and legal residents of Japan to be allowed to be armed for Wilderness Defense purposes with the proper safety devices; such as like Pepper Bear Spray and capable Handgun or a Boar Spear or Sword.
It's extreamly ironic that the educated Japanese people cannot figuer it out that;well trained armed people in proper context consititute a "Safery Force" in all manners.
Be it from stopping Criminal, Terroristic attacks to opposing an outside invaider to protecting one's self out and about from apex predatorial animals like the Asiatic Black Bears species, Wild Boar, Felines etc.
I do understand that the mindset
of the Japanese people is different from that of American people in general.
While I have never been to Japan, several close friends of mine have lived for long peroids in Japan. In discussing this subject they told me that the Japanese collective inbred "Feudal"Overlord" vs "subject" mind set is the major problem.
As is historically known it was the Japanese Overlords, Shoguns during fuedal times who arbitarally made laws, decrees disarming the common people of Japan.
Where only the Knight Samurai Warrior class was the only people allowed to own, posses and carry Firearms, Swords and other Weapons.
The right to be armed with a safety device like a firearm is a natural right for preserving human life from severe injuries or death.
In most parts of the USA and some other countries that allow people to carry Firearms in wilderness areas, properly armed hikers, campers, fishermen have been sucessfully able to stop apex predatorial animals like Wild Boar, Bears , Moose, Mountain Lions- Felines etc. From killing a human being with the proper use of a firearm or Bear Spray when necessary.
I find it foolish and self defeating that the highly educated Japanese people as a whole cannot see this and greatly oppose changing their arbitary draconian Firearms Laws.
Documented statistics and time has proven that the lawabiding people who are armed and trained are not a problem. They are a Force Multiplier for good, saving lives.
All it takes is seconds by an attacking apex predatorial animal like a Bear or Wild Boar to injure or kill a human being. Without the proper safety devices in general a person will be doomed.
It's common logical sense to allow lawabiding citizens to be arned with the necessary safety devices to be able to quickly respond at a critical moment to defend themselves from life threatening attacis from apex Predatorial animals such as the Asiatic Black Bear.
Just a few years ago in Japan, in September 2009 in an suburban urban area, an Asiatic Black Bear viciously attacked mauling 9 tourists and further attacking 4 people at a bus stop severely injuring people in Takayama Gifu.
In 2016 May & June in Akita prefecture was another horrific incident where an Asian Black Bear killed 4 people who were picking Bamboo Shoots.
In August 2016 in Gunma prefecture, a female wilderness safari guide in Japan was viciously attacked and killed in her car by an Asiatic Black Bear.
Having been a long time Lawenforcement Officer I know that Police in general will not be able to respond in time to stop such vicious dangerous animal atracks on people.
I hope someday that Japanese lawmakers will introduce such common sense legislation to be made into law throught Japan to allow lawabiding citizens of Japan and legal residents to be allowed to be armed for personal self defense against maurading man or beast, as such will be a Force Multiplier for Saving lives.
Bears are cute I wouldn’t mind , I would love to give the bear some sushi or good old Japanese food and talk about my day .
I just did a hike of Mt Hakkoda and it seemed like half of the hikers wore bells. I think if there are that many hikers on a trail, the bells are not necessary. But I found them useful if I heard someone coming around a blind corner 😂
ahaha they're good for something!
Good video, hope some day i could visit that beautiful place
How are you going learning the 170 alpine flowers?! Do you know many of the birds in the area? Whenever I travel (I'm from Australia), I always buy a bird book from the country I'm visiting, but I didn't get a chance to when I visited Japan last November!
That's a great idea! I just learn mainly by asking other hikers, though if I see an interesting one I google it when I get home, find a match, then confirm with older experienced Japanese hikers that know these things.
Bear necessities. Grooooaannnn!! 😁 (actually I kinda chuckled lol)
Ahahahaha
Love your videos! I’m a new subscriber and love seeing all the scenery and places I want to visit! Your stories and insight are great too. May I suggest you get a video SD card or higher quality card? I notice that the video has a lot of weird pixelation moments, and my camera knowledgeable hubby thought it might be due to the SD card quality. Would love to see those gorgeous views without pixelation. :) Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching! Oh- not having much experience in that area I hadn't noticed. I'll look into a faster SD card, thanks!
GoNorth Japan happy to help! I noticed it in more recent videos too, and think it would make your already great videos even better! So glad I found your channel.
Consider a hiking stick. Can really save you if you lose your footing.
Good call!
Just found you thru Sharia!! So happy to see you show the Tohoku area. Have you been to Otsuchi yet? My husband went there to help after the great Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011.
Yes! I actually did volunteer work there in 2011 as well! I've been there just a couple of times since then. (Participated in a sake-rice-planting activity, etc.) I'll definitely be showing tons more of Tohoku!
oh well I guess that answers my question about the bells...lol
Yeah, I stopped wearing it after some people complained in the comments. Now when I hike alone I sing....
So you're literally living my dream, hiking through Japan... If you don't mind me asking, how can you afford this & where do you live? I hope that your channel will kick off and allow future adventures! Definitely subscribed!
Thanks and welcome! More than hiking through Japan, I'm rather living in northern Japan and hiking around the area where I live. Most of the hiking that I do is within day-trip range. I'm planning to also do some more distant hiking in Japan, but have been busy with work this season.
I live in Morioka and it's actually a rather inexpensive place to live. I do a wide variety of work as I think a lot of us immigrants to Japan end up doing. I regularly do translation, narration, interpretation, have an Airbnb, and once in a while get a TV commercial gig. Not exactly a normal career, but as I said, its an inexpensive part of the world to live in these days.
I really do love this northern part of Tohoku and want to see it getting appreciated more! I hope that I can make some interesting videos highlighting some of what I find to be the best unknown (or known) parts! Can only go up from here!
@@GoNorthJapan ohh I see! That really is an interesting career hahah I can't wait to see what you'll do in the future, best of luck!
I had a bear at my turb last week at Hokkaido. luckily I closed it because it was still cold. I heard two of them a big and smaller one. And almost pissed my pants. It wasn't fun. Took them 2 hours to leave. Always bring bear spray with you in Hokkaido. Brown 🐻 are no jokes a bell actually can attract bears because they are very curious animals I recommend to clap with two woods ( like they do to warn elderlies in Japan about the winter stoves and fires)
Yeah, brown bears are no joke indeed! Interesting idea about the clapping to pieces of wood together like those fire prevention patrols. I'm glad there are only black bears in Tohoku...
@@GoNorthJapan haha I bet you are!. I will buy an electric wire to put around my tarp tent . Cuz I don't want any fatty brown bear sitting on me in the middle of the night. I have never been so scared in my life. It was crazy. I could litterly feel him touching my walls sniffing around. I was so happy I closed it up. But in the end he could totally got in if he wanted to. I just set it up on two hiking poles so it's not the most stable. I also had no food with me so I guess that saved my ass. Any other tips are welcome of you have.
Don't know Asian bears but I live in Nordic country, near forest and I've seen a bear in short distance couple times. There also are a wolves and a lynx in forest I hike a lot in the forest and I've noticed wild animals avoid humans.
I love wolves! That must be great to have them in the wild nearby!
I encountered black bears when hunting birds (grouse) in Alaska. No problems. I just left them alone.
Probably a bigfoot call
Useful information and beautiful scenery! What should I do if I encounter a wild boar?
There are no wild boars in any of the areas that I've hiked in Tohoku so I actually have no idea! Next time I meet a hiker that's been all over Japan I'll ask them!
@@GoNorthJapan interesting! There are always warnings for boars around Kanagawa and I saw a baby one once. They're stereotypically easy to anger animals, so I was just wondering what to do if I see a big one.
@@nemoforever Kyushu hiker here! Wild boars (inoshishi) are really common here. They're not considered hugely dangerous under normal circumstances and are generally afraid of humans, unless it's mating season or they've recently given birth. Fukuoka prefecture recommends that if you encounter one, you should slowly and quietly withdraw from the area. Do not run and do not turn your back, as this type of behaviour might provoke an attack. Do not act aggressively (waving a stick or throwing rocks) as this can send the animal into a rage and provoke an attack.
Similar to bears, if you see a piglet, the mother is likely nearby and you should keep a very wide distance.
Worst case scenario, if you find yourself very close to one that is acting aggressively, the best you can do is either flee to a safe area, where you're out of the animal's line of sight, while attempting to leave an escape route for the animal, or if possible climb a tree. Pigs aren't great climbers :)
@@sykoscout3196 great information, thanks!
Nice work. Subbed
Thank you!
What a bear of an episode!😅
Can’t help but think about Chris, he would have ran at the first hint of a bear presence! Seriously there is video proof of it😂
Maybe you could give him a crash course and take him with you next time, like to make him face his arkoudaphobia head on😅?
On a more serious note;
At last I get to know what that bell sound is! In all your previous hicking videos there was that sound and I kept wondering what is was about. Mystery solved!🤩
Aside from the name of more than a hundred japanese flowers what do you have to know, or what are the qualifications that you have to meet to be considerd a fully fledged guide? How hard it is? Maybe the subject for another video?🤔
Yeah- I am looking forward to whenever Chris has time for a hike up Mt. Iwate. He's really busy all the time, but hopefully it will happen this year.
There's no national requirement or licensing for guides in Japan, so it's kind of hard to answer.. There are some private companies that have qualifications and exams for Japanese people to be interpreter-guides, but a lot of those don't really seem worth doing as the return on effort isn't clear... For me I'm going by international standards, so getting the wilderness first aid certification, and I have one called NEAL (Nature Experience Activity Leader) as well. I'll feel confident after I get more experience I think.
@@GoNorthJapan As I said in another comment, promise Chris the best karaage in Iwate or Morioka and he’ll come running😅
More seriously now, with all the nature in Japan is it kind of weird to me that there is no mandatory standard for guides, certified or not (how can that be?), more when an accident can happen anytime (cliffs, torikabuto, bears, etc). If you are following international standards where in japan are you learning? And again, If there is no national requirement how can your licence be recognized by the japanese government? Do you need to🤔?
Sorry for all the questions but I love hicking and its so intertesting to get to know how things work in Japan🙂...
the bear necessities of hiking....
Nice one! Wish I had watched this before I went bear hunting. LOL
Never heard that much laughing at a pun......but good tips:)
Hahahaha, yeah, maybe lack of oxygen to my brain...
Hey, If am I able to come to Japan in this July , then can I hire you as a guide to climb MT Iwate?
Probably from Matsukawa Course?
Yes, absolutely! But if you're thinking the Matsukawa Course- I'd want you to be confident on your level of fitness. That's the longest route with a long steep slope and I can imagine a lot of people having some real trouble with it. If you are experienced and in great shape, then absolutely! Otherwise I'd recommend an easier route. It is epic though. I love that route!
@@GoNorthJapan No problem.
I can walk 10 miles in about 2 hours.
Do not worry about my physical strength.
A Japanese serow?! How cute!! Besides bears, are cougars or other big cats seen while hiking? What do you normally pack for lunch? I'd love to see!
There are no wild big cats in Japan. So just bears, Japanese serow, deer, foxes, and maybe wild boar will start to be more present up here as snow decreases each year.
Haha, my lunches are pretty humble. Usually just onigiri and a sandwich. Maybe I'll show it sometime..
@@GoNorthJapan this just made hiking near the Hollywood sign sound more dangerous 😅 we have mountain lions. In the summer we have rattle snakes as well. The bears here are pretty chill though and a few go down to people's backyard pools to cool off during the day. We've had more issues with coyotes than the larger animals though.
1:51 i really thought that there was bear behind him
There is a bear🐻 in japan🇯🇵
A bear goes to school ! ruclips.net/video/oc8q_ouptFg/видео.html
Here from sharla channel recommends and sub.
I’m wondering if the serow had ranged up the mountain to escape predators?
The serow doesn't have any natural predators in Iwate that I know of. Bears don't hunt them and there aren't any other large predators up here.
Watch out the yama oroshi
And yet another bear bell fan... Yikes!