Cities & Towns · Yamagata
Obanazawa Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Obanazawa, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Obanazawa saw its most serious recent incident in Kitago, Obanazawa City, on November 20, 2025, when a 77 year old woman was attacked beneath a persimmon tree near a house and suffered bites and scratches to her face, arm, and leg. That same area stayed active with another bear report in Kitago on November 19, 2025, showing how close these encounters have been getting to homes and fields.
Across Obanazawa, the busiest ground has been around Kitago, Nokurosawa, Nakajima, Terauchi, and the Nobesawa and Rokusawa areas, with reports clustering along settled edges and farm country rather than deep mountain trails. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 69 incidents, followed by November 2025 with 23, and the city has recorded 333 black bear sightings overall.
Obanazawa 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 Obanazawa
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Obanazawa?
Obanazawa has 333 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 Obanazawa?
The most recent bear sighting in Obanazawa was on December 17, 2025 in Obanazawa Nokurosawa, Yamagata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Obanazawa?
Recent bear sightings in Obanazawa have been concentrated in Obanazawa Nakajima (11), Obanazawa Rokusawa (9), Obanazawa Ashizawa (9). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Obanazawa?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Obanazawa?
Obanazawa 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.