The park serves as a rehabilitation and sanctuary facility for Asiatic black bears rescued or displaced in the Akita region.
The facility is intentionally located near Mount Moriyoshi, a known habitat for wild bears, to maintain ecological continuity.
It maintains a specific 'Cub House' designed to socialise young bears before they are integrated into larger group enclosures.
Visitors are separated from the bears by high-security fencing and concrete barriers, with viewing occurring through mesh or from elevated boardwalks.
The park participates in regional conservation efforts to minimize human-bear conflicts in the nearby mountain villages.
Kumakuma Bear Park is a specialized sanctuary in Akita Prefecture dedicated to the protection and observation of Asiatic black bears. The facility maintains a distinct separation between adult bears and cubs, allowing visitors to view them in controlled, semi-natural enclosure environments. Unlike typical zoos, the park focuses on environmental education and the ecology of bears inhabiting the surrounding Northern Tohoku wilderness. It features a dedicated cub house where young bears are kept and monitored for development. The facility is situated at the base of the Moriyoshi-zan mountain range, utilizing the regional topography for its expansive bear habitats. Visitors can purchase specialized feed to offer to the bears from designated viewing platforms.
The elevated viewing deck that provides a wide-angle perspective over the main adult bear enclosure.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the park grounds include moderate inclines and paths leading between the different bear enclosures.
Purchase the bear-safe food sold at the entrance if you wish to see the bears move closer to the feeding stations.
Visit the indoor information center first to understand the specific bear species present and the park’s rescue history.
Attempting to feed the bears anything other than the official feed purchased on-site; ignoring safety signs at the perimeter fences.
Closed during the winter months when bears are in hibernation; check local alerts for precise opening dates in late spring.
Do not tap on glass or fences; keep voices low near the cub enclosures to avoid stressing young animals.
