Cities & Towns · Gunma
Ota Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Ota, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Ota has been seeing fresh bear activity, with a sighting of 2 black bears reported at Nishinagaoka cho on February 9, 2026 near the Ota Futaba Country Club and Hachioji yama Cemetery area. That keeps the concern close to the edge of town, where people are moving through the same ground the bears are using.
Most of the recent action has clustered around Hachiojiyama Park, Kamitsuyado cho, Nagatecho, and Narisuka cho, with winter standing out as the busiest stretch because December 2025 alone had 8 reports, while November 2025 had 2 and February 2026 has already added 1. Across Ota, the total stands at 11 black bear sightings, and the pattern suggests bears have been showing up repeatedly around the Hachiojiyama area and nearby neighborhoods.
Ota Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Places in Gunma
Comments (1)
Four incidents in just three days starting December 2nd is a lot for one city.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Ota
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Ota?
Ota has 11 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 Ota?
The most recent bear sighting in Ota was on February 9, 2026 in Nishinagaoka-cho, Ota City, Gunma, where 2 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Ota?
Recent bear sightings in Ota have been concentrated in Ota 成塚町 (2), Nishinagaoka-cho, Ota City (1), Hachiojiyama Park (Kamituyado, Ota City) (1). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Ota?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Ota?
Ota 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.