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Tōshōdai-ji Temple Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Tōshōdai-ji Temple, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Tōshōdai-ji Temple has been seeing black bear activity close by, 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 it ran off after the witness shouted. That kind of close approach shows how near these animals have been getting to everyday routes around the temple area.
Across this part of the region, the busiest pockets have been around Kizugawa City and nearby Nara neighborhoods, with repeated sightings in places such as Yamashiro cho, Kamo cho, Ninnikusencho, and Nara Besshiyocho. Activity peaked in November 2025 with 61 reports, stayed high in October 2025 with 37 and June 2025 with 37, and the area has recorded 230 black bear sightings overall.
Tōshōdai-ji Temple Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Tōshōdai-ji Temple
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Tōshōdai-ji Temple?
Tōshōdai-ji Temple has 230 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 Tōshōdai-ji Temple?
The most recent bear sighting in Tōshōdai-ji Temple 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 Tōshōdai-ji Temple?
Recent bear sightings in Tōshōdai-ji Temple 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 Tōshōdai-ji Temple?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Tōshōdai-ji Temple?
Tōshōdai-ji Temple 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.