Mountains & Hiking · Yamagata
Mount Chōkai Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Chōkai, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Mount Chōkai saw its most recent black bear report in Yuza at Yuza Town Toyama, where one bear was spotted on December 2 at 4:00 PM and reported the next day. Another close call came in Yuza at Yuza Town Yoshide on November 15 at 5:40 AM, showing that bears are still moving through the settled edges of the mountain area.
The busiest pockets have been around Yuza and Sakata, especially Yuza Town Yoshide, Yuza Town Sugizawa, and Sakata City Kusatsu, where repeated sightings have stacked up. Activity peaks in August with 29 reports and stays heavy through September with 19 and October with 23, while Mount Chōkai has recorded 124 black bear sightings overall.
Mount Chōkai Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
遊佐町吉出に集中してるのが気になるな。
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Chōkai
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Chōkai?
Mount Chōkai has 124 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 Mount Chōkai?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Chōkai was on December 2, 2025 in Yuza 当山, Yamagata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Mount Chōkai?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Chōkai have been concentrated in Yuza 白井新田 (22), Yuza 杉沢 (19), Sakata 草津 (16). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Chōkai?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Mount Chōkai?
Mount Chōkai 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.