A four-foot Asian black bear was shot dead after seriously injuring four tourists at a bus station in Takayama, in central Japan.
The male bear had wandered near the station and attacked a group of nine tourists who were waiting to take a bus to the nearby mountains in the region. Some workers trapped the bear in a souvenir shop. It was later shot down by officials.
Fortunately, Asian black bears are not known to attack humans, but are commonly found in the mountains surrounding Takayama. Takayama, located in Japan’s “Alps” in the mountainous Gifu region, is regarded as a city with rustic charm and attracts thousands of visitors seeking natural landscapes and relaxation.
September is considered high tourist season in Japan, as the weather is pleasant and cool.