Cities & Towns · Yamagata
Nishikawa Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Nishikawa, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Nishikawa's most recent black bear report came from March 21, 2026 at 17:00 in Nishikawa 大字吉川, where an adult bear was seen at the farmland edge. The latest winter run also included a bear in Nishikawa 大字原 on December 10, 2025 at 17:15, showing that sightings were still coming in close to settlements and fields.
The busiest ground has been around 大字吉川, 大字原, and 大字綱取, with repeated reports also coming from Yoshikawa, Mazawa, Numayama, Iwanezawa, and Kaimi. Activity peaked in May 2025 with 26 incidents and again in October 2025 with 24, while November 2025 still saw 12 and December 2025 saw 4; across 168 total black bear sightings, the pattern here is steady presence around village and farmland edges.
Nishikawa Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Comments (1)
吉川に12月だけで3件も集中してるのか、同じ個体が何度も出てるのかな。
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Nishikawa
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Nishikawa?
Nishikawa has 168 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 Nishikawa?
The most recent bear sighting in Nishikawa was on March 21, 2026 in Nishikawa 大字吉川, Yamagata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Nishikawa?
Recent bear sightings in Nishikawa have been concentrated in Nishikawa 大字沼山 (27), Nishikawa 大字吉川 (24), Nishikawa 大字原 (24). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Nishikawa?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Nishikawa?
Nishikawa 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.