Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Located at the base of Mt. Showa-shinzan, this ranch offers an exhilarating encounter with around 100 Hokkaido brown bears. Through close-up feeding and engaging observation, visitors can feel the raw power of Hokkaido’s wilderness firsthand.

At the ranch, bears are grouped by age and roam freely in spacious enclosures. Their strength is on full display as they wrestle, their massive bodies colliding with a deep thudding sound. When you hold up cookies or apples, the bears quickly catch the scent with their keen sense of smell, often rising onto their hind legs and waving a paw as if to say, “Over here!” This charming gesture contrasts with their sheer size and wild presence. Watching some bears snatch treats mid-air while others slowly savor them reveals each animal’s personality.

For a more thrilling experience, the glass observation area known as the “Human Cage” is a highlight. Separated only by thick glass, bears come so close that their heavy breathing and deep roars can be clearly heard—an intensity that may make you instinctively step back. Around the May holidays, newborn cubs debut in the “Bear Kindergarten.” Their unsteady steps and the sight of them nuzzling their mothers offer a heart-warming contrast to the adults.

Combining raw power, charm, and a volcanic landscape, Showa-shinzan Bear Ranch delivers a wildlife experience that leaves a lasting impression long after you leave Hokkaido’s wild heart.