Tourism Spots · Gunma
Tone River Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Tone River, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Tone River saw a young black bear at a private residence in Minamiuonuma Osaki on January 4, 2026 at 17:00, and residents later found bear tracks there on January 5, 2026 at 02:00. That is the kind of edge of town activity that has been showing up in this area, especially around Minamiuonuma neighborhoods.
Most of the recent reports have come from Minamiuonuma locations such as Mizuo, Myoonji, Yamaguchi, and Yamaya, with tracks, single bears, and mother and cub signs appearing in fields, homes, and near persimmon trees. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 247 reports and stayed high in November 2025 with 103, while the full record for Tone River now stands at 926 black bear sightings overall.
Tone River 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 Tone River
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Tone River?
Tone River has 926 recorded bear incidents in total, but no activity has been reported in the last 30 days. Bear activity varies seasonally, so always check the latest status before hiking or spending time outdoors.
When and where was the latest bear incident in Tone River?
The most recent bear sighting in Tone River was on January 4, 2026 in Minamiuonuma Osaki, Niigata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Tone River?
Recent bear sightings in Tone River have been concentrated in Minamiuonuma Tsukuno-shimoshinden (12), Minamiuonuma Yamaya (8), Minamiuonuma Nakagawa-shinden (8). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Tone River?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Tone River?
Tone River 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.