Cities & Towns · Yamagata
Sagae Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Sagae, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Sagae saw its most striking recent report on December 1, 2025 in Mogami River Furusato General Park, where a black bear was sighted near the community plaza around 11:00 p.m. and access to the plaza was restricted. That same night, another bear was reported in Sagae City Shima around 11:15 p.m., showing that bears were still moving through settled parts of the city after dark.
The busiest parts of Sagae have been Nakago, Shiraiwa, Takamatsu, Minowa, and the Jionji Temple area, with recent sightings also clustering near the Mogami River and around residential edges. Activity has been strongest in October with 17 incidents and September with 15, then remained active in November with 10 and December with 3, bringing the total to 87 black bear sightings in Sagae.
Sagae Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Comments (1)
November 3rd alone had three separate sightings across different neighborhoods, and now December 1st is matching that in a single day.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Sagae
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Sagae?
Sagae has 87 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 Sagae?
The most recent bear sighting in Sagae was on December 1, 2025 in Sagae 大字島, Yamagata, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Sagae?
Recent bear sightings in Sagae have been concentrated in Sagae 大字高松 (12), Sagae 大字清助新田 (12), Sagae 大字日和田 (9). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Sagae?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Sagae?
Sagae 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.