Mountains & Hiking · Gunma
Mount Shibutsu Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Shibutsu, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
On October 13, 2025 at 2:00, a black bear was sighted in Tsuchide, Katashina Village, after being reported on the evening of October 12. That is the kind of late day and night activity that has been showing up around Katashina Tsuchiide and Minakami Fujiwara.
The busiest stretch has been around Minakami Fujiwara, with repeated reports there in August and September 2025, while Katashina Tsuchiide has also seen several visits. Activity peaked in August 2025 with 10 incidents and stayed high in September 2025 with 7, and Mount Shibutsu has recorded 28 black bear sightings overall.
Mount Shibutsu Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
8月から9月にかけて藤原地内と湯の小屋周辺で集中してるの、同じ個体が繰り返し出てるんじゃないか。
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Shibutsu
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Shibutsu?
Mount Shibutsu has 28 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 Shibutsu?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Shibutsu was on December 7, 2025 in Uonuma, Niigata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Mount Shibutsu?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Shibutsu have been concentrated in Minakami Fujiwara (8), Katashina Tokura (7), Katashina Tsuchiide (5). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Shibutsu?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Mount Shibutsu?
Mount Shibutsu 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.