Cities & Towns · Nagano
Shinano Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Shinano, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Shinano’s most recent serious report came from Furuma on April 14, 2026 around 12:30 PM, when a black bear rammed the entrance window of a house and tore the screen before town staff and police checked the scene. Earlier in the same stretch of activity, bears were also reported in Kashiwabara on April 24, 2026 and April 20, 2026, showing that the pressure is still very much on the town edge.
Across Shinano, the busiest places in the recent record have been Kashiwabara, Nojiri, Honami, and Furuma, with repeated reports in those districts and another winter report from 土橋 on December 9, 2025. Activity has climbed hard in July 2025 with 22 incidents, stayed high in June 2025 with 20, and remained active in October 2025 with 18, while Shinano has logged 143 black bear sightings overall.
Shinano Bear Incident Map
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Comments (1)
136 incidents total for one municipality. That's a lot.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Shinano
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Shinano?
Shinano has recorded 143 bear incidents in total, with 7 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 Shinano?
The most recent bear sighting in Shinano was on April 23, 2026 in Shinano Kashiwabara, Nagano, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Shinano?
Recent bear sightings in Shinano have been concentrated in Shinano 小古間 (16), Shinano Furuma (14), Shinano 御料 (8). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Shinano?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 7 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Shinano?
Shinano 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.