Mountains & Hiking · Okayama
Hiruzen Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Hiruzen, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Hiruzen saw one of its sharpest recent encounters on October 31, 2025 at Kōfu Okawara, where a person trying to start the boiler behind the house found a black bear in the grass at 23:50. That same area also had an October 8, 2025 sighting at 17:00, when an adult bear was resting beside a rice field on the hillside of Kami Ogawara before moving east into the mountains.
Across Hiruzen, black bear activity is strongest around Kōfu Okawara and Kōfu Sagarikaya, with other reports also coming from Daisen, Kotoura, and Kurayoshi. The area has logged 29 black bear sightings overall, and the busiest stretch in the records was October 2025 with 6 reports, followed by August 2025 with 2.
Hiruzen Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
Kofu Okawara keeps coming up on this list, especially in late October when they're right by houses and rice fields.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Hiruzen
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Hiruzen?
Hiruzen has 29 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 Hiruzen?
The most recent bear sighting in Hiruzen was on October 31, 2025 in Kofu Okawara, Tottori, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Hiruzen?
Recent bear sightings in Hiruzen have been concentrated in Kotoura (5), Kōfu Mitsukue (3), Kōfu Sukesawa (3). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Hiruzen?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Hiruzen?
Hiruzen 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.