Mountains & Hiking · Niigata
Mount Sumon Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Sumon, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Mount Sumon saw its most striking recent report on April 30, 2026 at 17:30 on National Route 252 in Uonuma, when one black bear was seen moving toward the Kitajima direction. Another report that same evening placed a bear about 400 meters from a residence in Oshirakawa, Uonuma City, showing how close these animals are still getting to homes and roads.
The busiest ground has been around Uonuma and Nagaoka, with repeated sightings in places such as Anazawa, Nagatori, Shibukawa, Hosono, and Yamaguchi. Activity peaked in November 2025 with 37 incidents, stayed high in September 2025 with 22, and remained active in October 2025 with 15; this area has logged 427 black bear sightings overall.
Mount Sumon Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
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Uonuma Nagatori had five incidents in four days.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Sumon
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Sumon?
Mount Sumon has recorded 427 bear incidents in total, with 2 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 Mount Sumon?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Sumon was on April 30, 2026 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 Sumon?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Sumon have been concentrated in Uonuma Nagatori (16), Nagaoka 小向 (14), Nagaoka 大川戸 (14). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Sumon?
Activity is elevated. 2 of the 2 monthly incidents occurred in the last 7 days.
What type of bears are in Mount Sumon?
Mount Sumon 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.