Mountains & Hiking · Nagano
Mount Sanpō Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Sanpō, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
On March 16, a black bear about 1.5 meters tall was reported in Otaki, Chichibu City, adding to the latest cluster of sightings around Chichibu. On March 12 at 23:50, another bear of roughly 1.5 meters was seen near the Takizawa Dam management office in Otaki, Chichibu, and police responded after warning residents.
Most of the activity has been centered on Otaki and the Chichibu Nakatsugawa area, with additional reports from the Chichibu area and a smaller number from Yamanashi locations. Activity peaks in March with 3 reports, followed by December 2025 with 2 and August 2025 with 2, and the area has logged 15 black bear sightings in total.
Mount Sanpō Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
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秩父市大滝でまた出てるんだ。
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Sanpō
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Sanpō?
Mount Sanpō has 15 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 Sanpō?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Sanpō was on March 15, 2026 in Otaki, Chichibu City, Saitama, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Mount Sanpō?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Sanpō have been concentrated in Yamanashi Mitomi-Kawaura (4), Chichibu Nakatsugawa (3), Otaki, Chichibu City (2). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Sanpō?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Mount Sanpō?
Mount Sanpō 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.