Cities & Towns · Fukushima
Soma Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Soma, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Soma’s latest black bear report came on January 27, 2026 at Soma Higashitamano, where a bear-like animal about 1 meter long was seen in woodland in the Sugekari area around 1:30 PM. That sighting keeps the pressure on in the hill country, where people are still encountering bears in the woods and along nearby roads.
The most active areas have been Soma Babano, Soma Narita, and Soma Awazu, with recent reports also coming from Shimotakamatsu, Tsubata and Kansuiden in Awatsu. Activity peaked in November 2025 with 11 reports, then stayed active in December 2025 with 5 and January 2026 with 2, and Soma has logged 54 black bear sightings overall.
Soma Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Places in Fukushima
Comments (1)
one area getting hit way more than the rest
Hiking in bear country
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Soma
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Soma?
Soma has 54 recorded bear incidents in total, but no activity has been reported in the last 30 days. Bear activity varies seasonally, so always check the latest status before hiking or spending time outdoors.
When and where was the latest bear incident in Soma?
The most recent bear sighting in Soma was on January 27, 2026 in Soma Higashitamano, Fukushima, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Soma?
Recent bear sightings in Soma have been concentrated in Soma Onodai 1-chome (5), Soma Higashitamano (4), Soma Imada (4). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Soma?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Soma?
Soma is home to Asian black bears, which weigh up to 120kg and inhabit the mountains of Honshu and Shikoku. They are generally shy but can be dangerous when surprised or protecting cubs. Carry bear bells while hiking.