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This 196 km route runs from Chino to Minakami, passing through Nagano and Gunma. In the past 30 days, 16 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 1 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Fujioka Shimohino, Gunma.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
Around 3:00 PM on 2026-05-25, one bear was sighted in Shimonino, Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture.
Fujioka Shimohino, Gunma
Shibukawa 北橘町分郷八崎, Gunma
At around 20:40 on May 17, 2026, a single bear about 50 cm long was sighted in a residential area about 60 meters south of Kimii-chi Nursery in Nakasu, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Police arrived but the bear had already left; police and city officials patrolled the area the next morning and warned residents, and no damage has been confirmed.
Suwa Nakasu, Nagano
Tomioka 妙義町諸戸, Gunma
Size: adult
Nagawa 大門, Nagano
A black bear was standing on all four paws at the roadside.
Karuizawa, Nagano
Size: Adult
Karuizawa, Nagano
It was a cub about 1 meter long. It immediately went off to the left and disappeared from view. I turned back.
Annaka, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
It was watching us from a distance along the Apt Trail.
Annaka, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Annaka 松井田町五料, Gunma
Size: unknown
Nagawa 和田, Nagano
Observed while driving. Small-sized.
Shibukawa 上白井, Gunma
Peak activity at 14:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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In the past 30 days, 16 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 1 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Fujioka Shimohino, Gunma.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 14:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 196 km route runs from Chino to Minakami, passing through Nagano and Gunma. In the past 30 days, 16 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 1 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Fujioka Shimohino, Gunma. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
