On May 14, Atsushi Miyamae was scouting fishing spots by a forest path near the Obora Dam in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. At around 2 p.m., the avid angler and Tokyo-based architect heard rustling coming from beside the trail.
He looked over to see an Asian black bear scrambling down the slope before it disappeared into the forest.
¡°There have been many bear sightings around here, and two years ago my older brother also encountered a cub,¡± Miyamae says. ¡°That¡¯s why I always come prepared. I carry a bear bell, bear spray and a machete.¡±
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