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This 307 km route runs from Fukiware Falls to Nikko, passing through Gunma, Fukushima, Tochigi, and Niigata. In the past 30 days, 34 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them. The latest sighting was reported 19 hours ago near Uonuma, Niigata.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
4 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Gunma, Fukushima, Tochigi, Niigata.
Bear tracks discovered in the field
Uonuma, Niigata
One bear was sighted within an industrial park.
Uonuma, Niigata
Bear droppings discovered
Uonuma, Niigata
Around 09:00 on May 19, in a rice field in Goka, Minamiuonuma City, a man in his 70s doing farm work was struck by a bear about 1 meter long and suffered scrapes to his face; he was taken to hospital and his life is not in danger.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
On May 19, 2026 at around 09:00, a man in his 70s working in a rice field in Gokka, Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, was rammed by a single bear about 1 meter long and sustained scratches and bleeding to his face; he was taken to a local hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening, and the prefecture issued a bear-sighting warning following the season's first human injury.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
At around 08:55 on the 19th, a man in his 70s working in a rice field in Goka, Minamiuonuma City, was struck from the right side by a bear and sustained facial injuries. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital but was able to walk on his own.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
A resident was injured when they collided with a bear about 1.0 m in length while working in the fields.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
It was hiding in the bushes on the riverbed of the Uono River.
Uonuma, Niigata
Bear tracks discovered in farmland
Uonuma, Niigata
A staff member discovered bear tracks in a rice paddy.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
One bear (body length unknown) was sighted swimming across the Uono River from along the riverside of Fukuyama Snow Shed, moving to the opposite bank (toward Tokamachi, Uonuma City).
Uonuma, Niigata
There were two bears, a parent and its offspring.
Minakami, Gunma
Spotted one bear in the brush alongside National Route 17.
Yuzawa Mitsumata, Niigata
One bear crossed Prefectural Route Machiya-Echigohorinouchi Station Line heading east.
Uonuma, Niigata
Around 13:00 on May 13, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted near Tsukioka Park in Horinochi, Uonuma City, approximately 30 meters from a house (Koide Police Station).
Uonuma, Niigata
Spotted one young bear near the top of a mountain trail in the Aoshima area
Uonuma, Niigata
One bear was sighted in a rice paddy beside Town Road Tozawa No. 1. It fled toward the mountain to the west.
Yuzawa Kandatsu, Niigata
I sighted one bear about 1 meter in body length near the 7th–8th station area of the Sakadoyama Castle Saka Course.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Observed one bear approximately 1.5 meters in body length.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Observed one bear while driving on the municipal road Chuo Line. It moved off toward the west.
Yuzawa Kandatsu, Niigata
Two bears, a mother and a cub, were sighted between Yuzawa Toei Hotel and Takizawa Park. Their subsequent movement route is unknown.
Yuzawa, Niigata
Shortly after 17:00 on May 11, 2026, two bears about 1 meter long were sighted beside a town road in Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town. The sighting was reported about 100 meters from Takizawa Park and very close to residences, according to the Minamiuonuma police.
Yuzawa, Niigata
A single cub was sighted between Yagisawa Bus Stop and Shibahara Tunnel. Its subsequent movement route is unknown.
Yuzawa Mitsumata, Niigata
A bear sighting was reported in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture on May 11. The article does not provide details such as the number of bears or the time of the sighting.
Yuzawa, Niigata
A resident discovered bear tracks in a field.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
A resident sighted one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
A resident spotted one bear about 1.0 m in body length near a reservoir.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
On the morning of the 3rd, a single bear about 1 m long was sighted in Izumimyoji, Minamiuonuma City; a report said the bear was walking north around a pond in the fields at about 10:00 AM. The sighting location was about 150 m from houses, and the police are coordinating with the city to issue notices and conduct patrols.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
I sighted an animal believed to be a bear about 1.5 meters long.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
I sighted one bear about 1 m in body length entering/moving into the mountain.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Found scat on the trail heading to Fujigongen-yama
Uonuma, Niigata
While driving on National Route 17 near the Tohoku Electric Kandatsu Substation, one bear (body length unknown) was sighted. Its subsequent travel route is unknown.
Yuzawa Kandatsu, Niigata
Peak activity at 8:00 with 5 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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In the past 30 days, 34 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 19 hours ago near Uonuma, Niigata.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 8:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 307 km route runs from Fukiware Falls to Nikko, passing through Gunma, Fukushima, Tochigi, and Niigata. In the past 30 days, 34 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them. The latest sighting was reported 19 hours ago near Uonuma, Niigata. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
