Cities & Towns · Niigata
Minamiuonuma Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Minamiuonuma, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Minamiuonuma’s most recent bear report came on April 9, 2026 in Urasa, where 1 juvenile black bear about 0.5 m long was seen entering the mountains. Just before that, on April 5, 2026, 2 black bears about 1 m long were spotted walking eastward near houses and along a farm road in Ichinoe, close enough that a witness called 110.
The busiest areas in these reports have been Ichinoe, Edayoshi, Nagasaki, Urasa, Takiya, and Daiue, where bears have been seen near homes, roads, rice paddies, and the mountain edge. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 566 incidents, stayed heavy through November 2025 with 289 and December 2025 with 79, then dropped to 6 in January 2026 and 5 in March 2026. Minamiuonuma has logged 2,124 black bear sightings overall.
Minamiuonuma Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Comments (1)
12月中旬から1月中旬にかけて報告が集中してるけど、この時期にこんなに活発なのか。
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Minamiuonuma
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Minamiuonuma?
Minamiuonuma has recorded 2,124 bear incidents in total, with 5 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 Minamiuonuma?
The most recent bear sighting in Minamiuonuma was on April 9, 2026 in Minamiuonuma Urasa, Niigata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Minamiuonuma?
Recent bear sightings in Minamiuonuma have been concentrated in Minamiuonuma Ubashima-shinden (10), Minamiuonuma Ichinoe (7), Minamiuonuma Terao (6). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Minamiuonuma?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 5 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Minamiuonuma?
Minamiuonuma 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.