KYOTO - Authorities in Kyoto Prefecture received another report of a bear sighting at the famous Amanohashidate sandbar on June 12th, just two days after a bear was captured in the area, prompting temporary road closures and heightened precautions for local residents and visitors.
Police were notified shortly before 8 a.m. after a report that a foreign tourist had warned of a potentially dangerous situation involving a bear cub at Amanohashidate in Miyazu City.
In response, Kyoto Prefecture closed the entire 2.6-kilometer roadway that runs north-south across Amanohashidate. However, despite an extensive search, no bear was found. The road closure was lifted about five hours later, and police called off their search.
A local teahouse near the area suspended operations for the day following reports of the sighting.
Tourists expressed concern over the possibility of encountering a bear. One visitor said, "It's frightening. I never thought there would be a bear here, and then I heard there had already been a capture. If I came face-to-face with a bear, I probably wouldn't be able to move at all."
Nearby elementary schools also took precautionary measures. Students were given guidance on how to respond if they encountered a bear, and teachers accompanied children home in organized groups after classes.
The latest report follows an incident on June 10th when a bear was spotted at Amanohashidate. The animal swam across the water and moved toward a residential area before eventually being captured by authorities. Despite the unsuccessful search on June 12th, officials remained cautious due to the recent activity in the area.
Source: YOMIURI
