Cities & Towns · Gifu
Shirakawa Village Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Shirakawa Village, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Shirakawa Village has just seen a black bear at Omaki on November 9, 2025 at 3:05 a.m., when a bear about 1.2 meters tall was inside a snow shed and tried to climb over the concrete wall toward the dam lake side. That was followed by more reports in Hirase on November 10, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. and Iishima on November 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., showing the bears are still moving through settled areas.
The busiest area has been Hirase, with repeated reports through October and November, while Ogimachi and Omaki have also stayed active. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 30 incidents, after 32 in June 2025 and 21 in July 2025, and the village has recorded 469 black bear sightings overall.
Shirakawa Village Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Three reports from Shirakawa Hirase in two days?
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Shirakawa Village
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Shirakawa Village?
Shirakawa Village has 469 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 Shirakawa Village?
The most recent bear sighting in Shirakawa Village was on November 12, 2025 in Shirakawa Iishima, Gifu, where 2 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Shirakawa Village?
Recent bear sightings in Shirakawa Village have been concentrated in Shirakawa Hirase (38), Shirakawa Ogimachi (18), Shirakawa Maki (14). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Shirakawa Village?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Shirakawa Village?
Shirakawa Village 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.