Tourism Spots · Nara
Enshō-ji Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Enshō-ji, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Enshō-ji has been seeing black bear activity close to people again, and the most striking recent report came on April 10, 2026 in Heguri Midorigaoka 6-chome, where a bear came down from the hill beside the pond and was only about 5 meters away before being driven off by shouting. That is the kind of close encounter that reminds hikers this is active bear country.
The busiest stretches have been around Kizugawa City and nearby Nara areas, including Kamo-cho, Yamashiro-cho, Ninnikusencho, and Besshiyocho, with repeated sightings along roads, sidewalks, and drainage ditches. Activity has been heaviest in November 2025 with 57 reports and October 2025 with 45, then it stayed active through December 2025 with 16, before easing into January 2026 with 2, February 2026 with 1, and March 2026 with 10; this area has now recorded 253 black bear sightings in total.
Enshō-ji Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (0)
No comments yet.
Hiking in bear country
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Enshō-ji
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Enshō-ji?
Enshō-ji has recorded 253 bear incidents in total, with 1 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 Enshō-ji?
The most recent bear sighting in Enshō-ji was on March 19, 2026 in Nara Besshiyocho, Nara, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Enshō-ji?
Recent bear sightings in Enshō-ji have been concentrated in Kizugawa Umemidai 3-chome (12), Kizugawa Umedani (9), Kizugawa Kamocho-Hokkejino (8). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Enshō-ji?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 1 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Enshō-ji?
Enshō-ji 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.