Would you ever order bear for dinner? The idea sounds shocking, maybe even unthinkable. But across parts of northern Japan, more and more people are sitting down to eat bear meat — and the reason is a growing problem in the forests.

So far this year, 13 people have died in bear attacks — the highest number ever recorded in Japan. According to scientists, there are several reasons. Bear numbers are growing fast, many villages now have fewer people, and poor acorn harvests leave bears hungry.

As a result, bears have wandered into towns, broken into houses and shops, and even appeared near schools. To protect people, authorities have been forced to kill more bears than ever before. So instead of letting the meat go to waste, some hunters and restaurant owners decided to put it on the menu.

In the hilly city of Chichibu near Tokyo, Koji Suzuki runs a small restaurant, which serves deer and wild boar, but lately, bear meat has suddenly become the most popular dish. Suzuki, who is also a hunter, believes using the meat is the right choice, as it's also a sign of respect for the bear's life. "It's better to use the meat rather than burying it", he said.

His wife, Chieko, says the restaurant is busier than ever, and they often have to turn people away. In the past, bear was rarely ordered, but now, customers often wait weeks for a table. One lucky customer, 28-year-old composer Takaaki Kimura, tried it for the first time with friends. "I was a little scared," he said with a smile. "It’s so juicy, and the more you chew, the tastier it gets."

The government is now offering funding and support to control bear numbers, hoping bear meat can bring income to rural towns. Still, bear meat remains a rare and unusual dish, and no one knows how long this trend will last. But for now, Japan's bear crisis has created an unexpected story — one where fear, food, and survival meet at the dinner table.