Kumamap Kumamap Kumamap
Map Areas Trip Planner Sponsor Alerts Report
English 日本語 한국어 简体中文 繁體中文 ไทย
Sign in
Sign in
Map Areas Trip Planner Sponsor Alerts Report
English 日本語 한국어 简体中文 繁體中文 ไทย
  1. Home
  2. Trip Planner
  3. Trip Reports
  4. Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa Drive

Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa Drive

Driving · Moderate Risk · 213 km · 3h 15m · 2 stops · 9 sightings · Saved May 18, 2026 · Last updated 1 hour ago
0 views
6
Incidents in last 7 days
9
Incidents in last 30 days
1 day ago
Latest

Safety Summary

This 213 km route from Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa crosses Chiba, Nagano, Gunma, Saitama, and Tokyo. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Tomioka 妙義町諸戸, Gunma; the location sits about 180.6 km from the start of the route and 2.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano, sitting about 211.8 km from the start and 51 m off the route line.

With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.

Your Route

Route Profile

Highlights Along Your Route (12)

12 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Chiba, Nagano, Gunma, Saitama, Tokyo.

Chiba City Museum of Art
Low Risk

Chiba City Museum of Art

Chiba

No incidents

Mama River
Low Risk

Mama River

Chiba

No incidents

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo shuku
Low Risk

Matsudo shuku

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo Shrine
Low Risk

Matsudo Shrine

Chiba

No incidents

Misato Park
Low Risk

Misato Park

Saitama

No incidents

Kawaguchi Green Center
Low Risk

Kawaguchi Green Center

Saitama

No incidents

Chiba City Museum of Art
Low Risk

Chiba City Museum of Art

Chiba

No incidents

Mama River
Low Risk

Mama River

Chiba

No incidents

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo shuku
Low Risk

Matsudo shuku

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo Shrine
Low Risk

Matsudo Shrine

Chiba

No incidents

Misato Park
Low Risk

Misato Park

Saitama

No incidents

Kawaguchi Green Center
Low Risk

Kawaguchi Green Center

Saitama

No incidents

Route Timeline

|
S
Chiba City Museum of Art, Chiba
Moderate Risk 213 km 3h 15m 9 sightings within 5 km
Tomioka 妙義町諸戸, Gunma

Tomioka 妙義町諸戸, Gunma

Official ·1 day ago

Size: adult

Karuizawa 軽井沢, Nagano

Official ·1 day ago

Size: juvenile

Karuizawa 大字長倉, Nagano

Official ·1 day ago
Show 6 more
Karuizawa, Nagano

A black bear was standing on all four paws at the roadside.

Karuizawa, Nagano

2 days ago

Size: Adult

Karuizawa, Nagano

Official ·4 days ago
Annaka, Gunma

It was a cub about 1 meter long. It immediately went off to the left and disappeared from view. I turned back.

Annaka, Gunma

6 days ago

It was watching us from a distance along the Apt Trail.

Annaka, Gunma

1 week ago
Annaka 松井田町五料, Gunma

Annaka 松井田町五料, Gunma

Official ·2 weeks ago
Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano

Karuizawa Town in Kitasaku District has temporarily shifted its policy from releasing captured bears after 'learning' to euthanizing them for a limited period. The change responds to repeated human injuries and appearances of bears in residential areas across the prefecture and concerns that bears' wide-ranging movements could cause harm to neighboring municipalities.

Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano

News ·2 weeks ago
G
Karuizawa, Nagano
Total Distance: 213 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 10:00 with 1 incidents

Asian black bears on your route

Asian Black Bear

Asian Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus japonicus

Range
Honshu, Shikoku
Size
80–120 kg
Active
Dawn & dusk

Sharing space safely

  • ·Make noise as you walk; carry bear spray
  • ·If charged, stand firm and use the spray
  • ·If contact happens, resist firmly. They retreat when met with resistance
  • ·Don't climb. They climb better than you

Safety Checklist

Hiking in bear country

Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.

Emergency Contacts

110
Police
119
Fire/Ambulance

For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.

Trip Report - Lake Biwa
Bear risk analysis map showing route with safety levels
Very High Risk
High Risk
Moderate Risk
Low Risk

Like what you see? Plan your own.

Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.

  • Same incident database powering this report
  • Risk forecast tuned to your exact route
  • Free, instant, no sign-up
Plan my route Browse more trips

Comments (0)

0/2000

No comments yet.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).

When and where was the most recent bear sighting near this route?

The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Tomioka 妙義町諸戸, Gunma; the location sits about 180.6 km from the start of the route and 2.6 km off the route line.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 10:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 213 km route from Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa crosses Chiba, Nagano, Gunma, Saitama, and Tokyo. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Tomioka 妙義町諸戸, Gunma; the location sits about 180.6 km from the start of the route and 2.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano, sitting about 211.8 km from the start and 51 m off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.

Back to Trip Reports
Kumamap Kumamap

Track bear incidents across Japan. Stay safe outdoors.

Explore

Map Account Areas Predictions Near Me Trip Planner Trip Reports Community Alerts Gear

Learn

Bear Safety Guides Blog News Data FAQ

Mobile

iOS App Android App LINE WhatsApp

Company

About Contact Report Sponsor

Legal

Privacy Terms Commercial Disclosure
© 2026 Kumamap