Niigata Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Niigata, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Niigata’s most recent sharp alarm came on April 30, 2026 in Uonuma, where a black bear about 1 meter long was seen on National Route 252 at 17:30, then moved toward the Kitajima direction. Earlier that same afternoon in Uonuma, another bear of about 1 meter was sighted in Oshirakawa only about 400 meters from a residence, which shows how close these animals are getting to homes and roads.
The most active places in this stretch have been Uonuma, Tokamachi, and the corridor around Kashiwazaki and Yuzawa, with recent reports also coming from Gosen, Mitsuke, and Itoigawa. The pace was heaviest in October 2025 with 2,268 incidents and November 2025 with 1,937, then it eased through winter into December 2025 with 428, January 2026 with 86, February 2026 with 37, and March 2026 with 43. Across Niigata, black bears have been recorded 15,876 times overall.
Niigata Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Niigata Monthly Bear Activity Trend
Incidents per month over the past year
Places in Niigata
Comments (1)
Multiple sightings in Uonuma on the 11th alone, and now they're spreading into Shibata the same day as each other.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Niigata
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Niigata?
Niigata has recorded 15,876 bear incidents in total, with 101 reported in the last 30 days and 23 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 Niigata?
The most recent bear sighting in Niigata 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 Niigata?
Recent bear sightings in Niigata have been concentrated in Nagaoka 巻渕四丁目 (9), Tokamachi (6), Myoko (5). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Niigata?
Activity has slowed. 23 incidents in the last 7 days, 101 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Niigata?
Niigata 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.