Mountains & Hiking · Niigata
Yoneyama Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Yoneyama, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Yoneyama’s most recent alarm came on April 17, 2026, when a single black bear about 1.5 meters long was seen in Higashidera, Yoshikawa Ward, Joetsu City, only about 10 meters from a house, and another report the same day placed one bear on the Ichirenbo municipal road during farm work. That kind of close approach is what stands out here, because the bears are not staying deep in the hills; they are showing up along roads and right at the edge of homes.
The busiest ground has been around Joetsu City, especially Kakizaki Ward and Yoshikawa Ward, with more reports also coming from Kashiwazaki. Activity peaked in December 2025 with 14 sightings, after November 2025 with 5 and October 2025 with 2, and the area has logged 129 black bear sightings overall.
Yoneyama Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
Four sightings in Kakizaki Ward just between December 2nd and 9th, most of them in rice fields. Is this normal for that area in early winter, or is this spike unusual?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Yoneyama
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Yoneyama?
Yoneyama has recorded 129 bear incidents in total, with 3 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 Yoneyama?
The most recent bear sighting in Yoneyama was on April 17, 2026 in Joetsu 吉川区東寺, Niigata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Yoneyama?
Recent bear sightings in Yoneyama have been concentrated in Kashiwazaki 大字青海川 (6), Joetsu 柿崎区法音寺 (5), Kashiwazaki 大字大平 (5). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Yoneyama?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 3 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Yoneyama?
Yoneyama 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.