Mountains & Hiking · Gunma
Mount Nikkō-Shirane Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Nikkō-Shirane, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Mount Nikkō-Shirane saw its latest black bear report on April 5, 2026 in Nikkō 中宮祠, where a bear was walking along the left bank of the Yanagisawa river. That kind of edge of trail and riverbank movement is exactly what has been showing up in this area, with recent evening and night reports around Nikkō as well as near the lake and trail junctions.
The most active places have been Nikkō and Katashina, including Higashiogawa, Tsuchiide, and the trail area between Yudaki Falls and the Akanuma rest stop. Activity peaks in summer and early fall, with June 2024 bringing 12 incidents, August 2024 bringing 11, July 2024 bringing 9, and September 2023 adding 6; this area has logged 107 black bear sightings overall.
Mount Nikkō-Shirane Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
Early afternoon report in October is unusual for this area.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Nikkō-Shirane
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Nikkō-Shirane?
Mount Nikkō-Shirane has recorded 107 bear incidents in total, with 1 reported in the last 30 days and 0 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 Nikkō-Shirane?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Nikkō-Shirane was on April 5, 2026 in Nikkō 中宮祠, Tochigi, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Mount Nikkō-Shirane?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Nikkō-Shirane have been concentrated in Nikkō (89), Nikkō 湯元 (8), Katashina (4). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Nikkō-Shirane?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 1 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Mount Nikkō-Shirane?
Mount Nikkō-Shirane 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.