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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

The ‘Blessed’ Sound of Bells

One of my first ever hikes in Hokkaido was a memorable one. Not only was it my first outing with my father-in-law, but I also came across something I hadn’t seen in all my years hiking and trekking in New Zealand. As I was working my way up the trail, I could hear an odd song far away in the distance, but I just couldn’t work it out. Another kilometer up, I heard the sound again but, this time, I thought It was something in my ears, because I was sure I could hear a ringing, like the sound of bells. I was about to ask my father-in-law but thought twice about it. My Japanese was very poor at that time, and I wasn’t sure how I would communicate to him. If I tried using hand signals and gestures, he would have thought I was completely off my rocker. A few more meters up, and the sound was getting louder. I was now sure it wasn’t my ears. I was positive I could hear bells and knew it couldn’t be Christmas in July—even in Japan. Just then, we ran into a couple of other hikers working their way down, and each of them had bells attached to their backpacks, but I couldn’t work out why. When I got home, I asked my wife if she knew the reason for the bells. That’s when I discovered another thing about hiking in Hokkaido that was a complete surprise to me—bears—and brown bears at that. In New Zealand, we really don’t have to worry about any dangerous animals. I was told Japanese hikers wear the bells to warn the bears that people are nearby. For those new to the column, I have been in Hokkaido more than 11 years and work as an English teacher and trekking guide. Since that trip, I have heard the sounds of bells more than I can count. For the first few years, I really hated bear bells and just couldn’t understand why people would use them. Why would people prefer to listen to that constant ringing instead of the beautiful sound of nature? Over the years, I’ve grown to understand why people use bear bells here. For one, it makes people feel safe; and two, I think it does work. I have never heard of any bear attacks on any hiking trails or popular hiking areas here in Hokkaido since I’ve been here. I’m not saying there have never been any; I just have never heard of any, and I’ve spent years asking. The only attacks I know about in Hokkaido have been people looking for mountain vegetables wandering in the mountains. A long time ago, an old Japanese guy who is a very experienced local hiker and mountaineer explained it like this: “The bears know where the people are and know that people use the trails because of the bells, and that’s why there have been no attacks. He adds, “We give up a small piece of our peace and quiet to keep the bears safe and to let them know we are around, so we don’t surprise them. It gives them time to get out of our way.” In a sense, it puts the ball in the bear’s court.” Here in Hokkaido, there is a one-strike rule. If a bear does get itself into trouble, it is shot; no questions asked. Many hikers in Japan also think it is irresponsible if you don’t use a bell. I for one still have a love/hate relationship with bear bells, but I do use them. Pig Tip : What I do is I keep mine very handy and easy to get at while hiking. Usually it is tucked in somewhere, so it can’t ring, but if I see some fresh bear signs or if I just feel uncomfortable, I will bring it out and have no problem using it. Puzzled Pig: One thing I can’t understand. I have seen groups of 10 to 20 people hiking together in a line and everyone has a bell, so you can hear them up in space. Why does everyone need a bell? 

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