Bear Garden, Bear sanctuary in Kitaakita, Japan.
Bear Garden is a facility in Kitaakita that houses both Asiatic black bears and brown bears in separate areas. The grounds feature swimming pools and climbing structures designed to let the animals move and behave as they naturally would.
The facility started in 1990 as a small rescue center and grew into a specialized place for bear protection. This growth reflects how the region reshaped its relationship with wildlife.
The place shows how local views have shifted from the traditional Matagi hunting culture to modern wildlife care and teaching. You can sense this change in how the space is used and what it means to people here today.
The place is open to visitors from late April through early November, so plan your visit during these months. Access is straightforward, and the grounds are set up for people to walk around and view the areas easily.
During the winter months, you can watch the bears go through their natural hibernation, including mothers caring for newborn cubs without eating themselves. This is a rare chance to see a biological process that is almost impossible to observe in the wild.
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