Mountains & Hiking · Gifu
Mount Norikura Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Norikura, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Mount Norikura is seeing fresh black bear activity near Matsumoto City, where on December 9, 2025 police confirmed an adult bear about 1 meter long after multiple sightings were reported. Earlier in November 2025, bears were also seen in Matsumoto and around Takayama, including Hirayu and Kibushō, showing that the reports are still coming in across the mountain area.
Most of the activity has centered on Takayama and Matsumoto, with November 2025 standing out as the busiest month and August 2025, July 2025, and June 2025 also seeing steady reports. Across 736 black bear sightings in this area, the pattern has stayed strongest in the late summer and autumn months, with sightings continuing into the winter months as well.
Mount Norikura Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
高山市に集中してるのか。
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Norikura
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Norikura?
Mount Norikura has 736 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 Norikura?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Norikura was on December 9, 2025 in Matsumoto City, Nagano, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Mount Norikura?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Norikura have been concentrated in Takayama (24), Matsumoto (21), Takayama 丹生川町久手 (15). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Norikura?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Mount Norikura?
Mount Norikura 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.