This is the shocking moment a black bear wandered across the driveway in front of a museum in Japan.

CCTV footage shows the wild animal casually strolling past the art museum in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, on November 5, before disappearing into a hedge near the building.

The museum was closed at the time, and no one was injured. Authorities have since increased security measures around the site to prevent further encounters.

The incident comes amid a surge in bear activity across northern Japan. Since April, local media have reported more than 100 bear attacks, resulting in at least 13 fatalities, with the majority occurring in Akita and Iwate prefectures.

Authorities sought assistance from the central government, which dispatched Self-Defence Forces personnel to help capture the roaming animals.

While black bears are generally not aggressive, they can become dangerous if they feel threatened or are conditioned to associate humans with food.