Mountains & Hiking · Nagano
Utsukushigahara Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Utsukushigahara, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Utsukushigahara has had 10 reported black bear sightings so far, including a recent juvenile seen on 2025-12-30 in Ueda Hirai. Sightings have been fairly active this month and last, with two in 2025-12 and one in 2025-11, and the latest incident was a single juvenile in Ueda Hirai at 09:00.
The action has clustered around Ueda and Matsumoto, where several sightings occurred this year including multiple June and September reports. Overall counts show 2 in 2025-12, 1 in 2025-11, and 3 in 2025-06, reflecting recent local activity rather than a long term trend.
Utsukushigahara Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
pretty active through December
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Utsukushigahara
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Utsukushigahara?
Utsukushigahara has 10 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 Utsukushigahara?
The most recent bear sighting in Utsukushigahara was on December 30, 2025 in Ueda Hirai, Nagano, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Utsukushigahara?
Recent bear sightings in Utsukushigahara have been concentrated in Matsumoto (4), Ueda (2), Ueda Hirai (1). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Utsukushigahara?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Utsukushigahara?
Utsukushigahara 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.