Mountains & Hiking · Gunma
Mount Asama Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Asama, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Mount Asama saw a black bear in Tsumagoi at 14:30 on April 30, 2026, the latest in a run of recent sightings that also reached Karuizawa and Naganohara. Karuizawa has been active enough that on April 28, 2026, town officials said they would temporarily shift policy from releasing captured bears after learning to euthanizing them for a limited period because of repeated human encounters.
The most active places have been Karuizawa and Tsumagoi, with reports also coming from Naganohara, and the busiest stretch of the year was October 2025 with 25 incidents, followed by June 2025 with 20 and July 2025 with 18. Across the area, 233 black bear sightings have been recorded, and activity has continued into winter with December 2025 showing 2 reports and November 2025 showing 12.
Mount Asama Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Comments (1)
浅間大滝付近で11月中に2回も出没してるのか、同じ個体が居着いてるんだろうな。
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Asama
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Asama?
Mount Asama has recorded 233 bear incidents in total, with 6 reported in the last 30 days and 4 in the last 7 days. These reports are compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions, and can be viewed on the incident map.
When and where was the latest bear incident in Mount Asama?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Asama was on April 27, 2026 in Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Mount Asama?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Asama have been concentrated in Karuizawa 大字長倉 (24), Tsumagoi (17), Karuizawa (14). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Asama?
Activity is elevated. 4 of the 6 monthly incidents occurred in the last 7 days.
What type of bears are in Mount Asama?
Mount Asama 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.