Hokkaido brown bear attacks vehicle in Bifuka Town

A woman driving in the mountainous Bifuka Town area of Hokkaido, Japan, was attacked by a brown bear after stopping her vehicle to allow two bears to cross the road. The incident occurred on the evening of September 29 on the Bifuka-Omu Line.

Dashcam footage captured a large brown bear, estimated by police to be approximately 1.5 meters long, approaching the car. The bear repeatedly charged and struck the vehicle's hood, causing significant damage including deep dents, a 10-centimeter scratch, and a hole in the metal. A smaller bear, believed to be the offspring, remained nearby during the encounter.

The driver remained inside the locked vehicle and was not injured, though she reported feeling intense panic as the car shook from the impact. Local authorities noted that brown bear sightings, including mother-and-cub pairs, have been frequent in the Niyuibu region this year. Police have advised motorists to remain inside locked vehicles if they encounter wildlife and to check local bear activity reports before entering forested or fishing areas.