Cities & Towns · Nagano
Nagano Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Nagano, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Nagano’s most compelling recent report came from Higashiterao in Matsushiro in the early hours of April 29, 2026, when a single black bear about 1.5 meters long was seen on the road and fled after a passing car honked. Another bear was also reported in Matsushiro on the same date, which shows the area is still seeing fresh activity right at the edge of roads and neighborhoods.
The busiest stretches of reports have been around Nagano City areas such as Matsushiro, Johoku, Nakajo Sumeragi, Nakazone, Kitago, Kadosawa, Toyonomachi Toyono, Wakaho Hoshina, and Togakushi, where sightings have kept coming through spring. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 88 incidents and stayed high in November 2025 with 44, then eased through winter before picking up again in March 2026 with 4. Across Nagano, there have been 279 black bear sightings overall.
Nagano Bear Incident Map
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Five reports in just the last three weeks of February and January combined, after the pace picked up heavily through December.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Nagano
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Nagano?
Nagano has recorded 279 bear incidents in total, with 11 reported in the last 30 days and 5 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 Nagano?
The most recent bear sighting in Nagano was on April 28, 2026 in Nagano Matsushiromachi-Higashiterao, Nagano, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Nagano?
Recent bear sightings in Nagano have been concentrated in Nagano Togakushi (5), Nagano 山内 (5), Nagano 本村 (4). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Nagano?
Activity is elevated. 5 of the 11 monthly incidents occurred in the last 7 days.
What type of bears are in Nagano?
Nagano 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.