Japanese Bear Hunt?

[WoodlandCritter]

My girlfriend and I have been discussing a trip to Japan for sometime now, and I would say its finally looking like a real possibility within the next 3 years or so. I'm well aware that the possibility of being able to hunt in Japan is essentially zero. But I was wondering if anyone here has any idea on the feasibility of being able to tag along as an observer on an Ainu bear hunt? And if so, if they might have any leads on how to arrange such a thing?

Most of the stuff to do in Japan is very urban-centric, so there's not a ton of information online about what you can do in the woods besides some incredibly touristy stuff, which I'm not into. So naturally there's even less information about any kind of hunting activity there besides a couple forum posts and some articles with a thinly veiled anti-hunting bent to them.

 

[RockAndSage]

My girlfriend and I have been discussing a trip to Japan for sometime now, and I would say its finally looking like a real possibility within the next 3 years or so. I'm well aware that the possibility of being able to hunt in Japan is essentially zero. But I was wondering if anyone here has any idea on the feasibility of being able to tag along as an observer on an Ainu bear hunt? And if so, if they might have any leads on how to arrange such a thing?

Most of the stuff to do in Japan is very urban-centric, so there's not a ton of information online about what you can do in the woods besides some incredibly touristy stuff, which I'm not into. So naturally there's even less information about any kind of hunting activity there besides a couple forum posts and some articles with a thinly veiled anti-hunting bent to them.

Best place to start with this would be to reach out to the Japanese Consulate in Seattle - WA, N. ID, and Montana are its areas of jurisdiction. You're looking for either the Cultural Affairs Attache, or the contact/email of the individual handling their cultural affairs portfolio.

Be very polite in your email, thank them up front for what they do, and then respectfully note that you're considering a trip to Japan, and would deeply appreciate their help in facilitating an uncommon interest of visitors to their country. Note that you value your own cultural heritage of hunting, and would deeply appreciate the rare opportunity to meet Japanese hunters of bears in Japan. And, if at all possible, to also observe a hunt.

At a minimum, they should be able to put you in touch with a hunters' organization in Japan, and if you're lucky, they'll track down a contact person for you and facilitate the introduction. The Cultural Affairs attache's job is just this sort of thing - building bridges through cultural affinity and exchange. So, there's a high chance of some degree of help. But that's where I'd start.

Definitely let us know if you get traction on this, it'd be extremely interesting.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Best place to start is to not go to Japan with a GF, that's like taking sand to the beach...

 

[CMF]

I'm well aware that the possibility of being able to hunt in Japan is essentially zero.

Why is this?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Why is this?

Unless you speak fluent Japanese, know somebody to loan you a gun and are willing to do their exams for licensing it's pretty much a non starter.

not impossible but there's a lot of hurdles if you want to hunt there. China is tougher yet.

 

[WoodlandCritter]

Best place to start with this would be to reach out to the Japanese Consulate in Seattle - WA, N. ID, and Montana are its areas of jurisdiction. You're looking for either the Cultural Affairs Attache, or the contact/email of the individual handling their cultural affairs portfolio.

Be very polite in your email, thank them up front for what they do, and then respectfully note that you're considering a trip to Japan, and would deeply appreciate their help in facilitating an uncommon interest of visitors to their country. Note that you value your own cultural heritage of hunting, and would deeply appreciate the rare opportunity to meet Japanese hunters of bears in Japan. And, if at all possible, to also observe a hunt.

At a minimum, they should be able to put you in touch with a hunters' organization in Japan, and if you're lucky, they'll track down a contact person for you and facilitate the introduction. The Cultural Affairs attache's job is just this sort of thing - building bridges through cultural affinity and exchange. So, there's a high chance of some degree of help. But that's where I'd start.

Definitely let us know if you get traction on this, it'd be extremely interesting.

Awesome, thanks for the guidance! Will definitely report back if I get any headway.

 

[WoodlandCritter]

Why is this?

Some of the strictest gun control in the world. My understanding is its near impossible for a short term visitor to even participate at a skeet range. Forget about traipsing around the woods with a gun.