A bear was shot dead Saturday after it attacked nine people, mostly tourists, at a bus station in a mountainous area of central Japan, Kyodo news agency reported.

Four men were seriously injured in the attack in Takayama, Gifu prefecture, Kyodo said, quoting local police.

After the afternoon attack the 1.3-metre (four-foot) long bear fled into the bus terminal building where it was trapped in a souvenir shop by employees.

The bear was later shot dead by hunters, Kyodo said.

An expert on Asian black bears told the agency it was unusual for them to attack humans and suggested it may have panicked.

The bus station is at the end of a scenic road where buses take tourists through the spectacular mountain scenery between May and October.