Cities & Towns · Yamagata
Tozawa Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Tozawa, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Tozawa saw a black bear on January 16, 2026 at 10:00 in Tozawa Matsuzaka, and the animal was a juvenile. Just before that, on January 8, 2026, a cub was seen behind a shrine in Tozawa around inhabited areas, which shows bears are still moving close to people in the village.
The busiest stretch has been around August 2025 with 19 reports, then October 2025 with 14, and November 2025 with 6, so the main activity has clustered in late summer and autumn. Tozawa has logged 53 black bear sightings overall, with repeated reports in Matsuzaka, Tsunokawa, Kuraoka, Furukuchi, and around inhabited areas.
Tozawa Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Places in Yamagata
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古口地区に集中してるのが目立つけど、角川でも立て続けに出てるから、この村全体で秋から冬にかけて活動が活発なのかな。
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Tozawa
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Tozawa?
Tozawa has 53 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 Tozawa?
The most recent bear sighting in Tozawa was on January 16, 2026 in Tozawa Matsuzaka, Yamagata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Tozawa?
Recent bear sightings in Tozawa have been concentrated in Tozawa Furukuchi (16), Tozawa Tsunokawa (8), Tozawa Matsuzaka (6). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Tozawa?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Tozawa?
Tozawa 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.