Foreign Tourist Attacked by Bear at Lake Towada in Aomori

Aug 23, 2026 | News On Japan

Aomori - A foreign tourist was injured after being attacked by a bear near an observation deck on the shore of Lake Towada in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, on August 22, suffering a bite to his right arm and a bruised right shoulder.

Shortly after 10 a.m., emergency services received a call from a person who had helped the victim near an observation deck in the Okuse area of Towada City, reporting that a foreign tourist had been attacked by a bear.

According to a person associated with the guesthouse that transported the injured man, the rescuer said the victim had been saying, "Bear, bear," and was bleeding.

Fire department officials said the man, believed to be around 30 years old, was visiting the observation deck when the bear attacked him.

He was bitten on the right arm and also suffered a bruise to his right shoulder. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Towada City has stepped up precautions in the area, including setting a box trap, while police are patrolling near the scene and urging local residents to remain alert.

Source: FNN

Typhoon No. 18 Threatens Okinawa as Storm Intensifies

Typhoon No. 18 is forecast to strengthen into a very powerful storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 meters per second before approaching Okinawa and the Sakishima Islands, with its slow movement raising the possibility of severe winds and rain lasting one to two days. As of 3 p.m. on August 22, Typhoon No. 18 had developed into a strong typhoon, with a clearly defined cloud circulation and an eye becoming visible near its center.

Death Row Inmate Executed for Deadly Pachinko Parlor Fire

Japan executed 58-year-old death row inmate Sunao Takami on August 21 for setting fire to a pachinko parlor in Osaka in 2009, killing five people and injuring 10 others, in the first execution carried out under the Takaichi administration.

Japan to Abolish Cool Japan Fund

Japan's government is moving toward abolishing the Cool Japan Fund, a public-private investment vehicle created to support the overseas expansion of Japanese anime, food culture and other industries, after its cumulative losses reached 54 billion yen.

Four Workers Killed After Being Struck by Spacia X Train in Tochigi

Four workers were killed after being struck by the limited express train Spacia X while carrying out vegetation-clearing work at Shin-Kanuma Station on the Tobu Nikko Line in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, on August 20, prompting an investigation by the Japan Transport Safety Board.

Shikoku Shinkansen Plan Revived After 53 Years

Plans to bring Shinkansen service to Shikoku have taken a significant step forward for the first time in 53 years, with the transport ministry beginning preliminary studies that could eventually cut travel times from Osaka to major cities including Tokushima, Takamatsu and Matsuyama to around 90 minutes.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Foreign Tourist Attacked by Bear at Lake Towada in Aomori

A foreign tourist was injured after being attacked by a bear near an observation deck on the shore of Lake Towada in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, on August 22, suffering a bite to his right arm and a bruised right shoulder.

Woman Swept Away by Flash Flood Survives Eight Days in Gunma Mountains

A 56-year-old woman who was swept away by a flash flood while climbing a mountain stream in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, was rescued alive on August 17 after surviving eight days in the remote mountains with a broken heel, relying on food she had brought with her, stream water and her knowledge of the area until anglers found her sitting on a forest road.

Mount Fuji Climbing Fee of 4,000 Yen Helps Eliminate Bullet Climbs

The measures were introduced in response to concerns over reckless climbing, including attempts to reach the summit without staying overnight at a mountain hut or taking sufficient rest. Under the current system, climbers who do not have reservations are restricted from beginning their ascent after 2 p.m., helping discourage people from climbing through the night without adequate preparation.

Why Has Inokashira Park Pond Turned Matcha Green?

A pond at Inokashira Park, a popular destination in Tokyo's Kichijoji area, has turned a striking matcha-like green, a phenomenon that has become particularly noticeable in 2026 and is believed to be caused by an accumulation of phytoplankton.

Arrivals to Japan from China Plunge 56% in July

Japan welcomed a record 3.44 million foreign visitors in July, the highest figure ever recorded for the month, even as the number of travelers from China fell sharply from a year earlier.

Shikoku Shinkansen Plan Revived After 53 Years

Tokyo Metro Unveils New Headquarters

Tokyo Metro has unveiled its new headquarters ahead of a full relocation at the end of August, featuring an open office design filled with route symbols, station names and other elements inspired by the subway network.

Free-Spirited Dolphin Yuki Goes Viral

A playful young dolphin named Yuki at Kagoshima City Aquarium has become a social media sensation after videos showed her freely sliding along the poolside, spinning around and plunging back into the water while other dolphins followed their usual routines.

< 2 3 4 5 >