Mountains & Hiking · Niigata
Meshishisan Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Meshishisan, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Meshishisan's most recent black bear report came on April 28, 2026 at Yuzawa Kandatsu, where one bear was seen while driving on National Route 17 near the Tohoku Electric Kandatsu Substation. Its route after that was unknown, and earlier April reports also placed bears along National Route 17 in Yuzawa Mitsumata and near an irrigation channel in Yuzawa Kandatsu.
The busiest stretches have been around Yuzawa, Tokamachi, and Minamiuonuma, with repeated sightings in roadside, tunnel, and canal country rather than deep in the hills. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 357 reports and stayed high in November 2025 with 224, then fell to 28 in December 2025 and 6 in both January 2026 and March 2026; across the record, Meshishisan has logged 1,571 black bear sightings.
Meshishisan Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
December alone had multiple sightings within Minamiuonuma across just a few days, and now we're seeing them again in January and March.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Meshishisan
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Meshishisan?
Meshishisan has recorded 1,571 bear incidents in total, with 8 reported in the last 30 days and 2 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 Meshishisan?
The most recent bear sighting in Meshishisan was on April 27, 2026 in Yuzawa Kandatsu, Niigata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Meshishisan?
Recent bear sightings in Meshishisan have been concentrated in Minamiuonuma Ubashima-shinden (12), Minamiuonuma Yoshiyama-shinden (10), Yuzawa Yuzawa 5-chome (10). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Meshishisan?
Activity has slowed. 2 incidents in the last 7 days, 8 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Meshishisan?
Meshishisan 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.