This 46.0 km route from Itoigawa to Itoigawa crosses Niigata and Toyama. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 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 Itoigawa, Niigata; the location sits about 23.9 km from the start of the route and 100 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Itoigawa, Niigata, sitting about 24.0 km from the start and 13 m off the route line.
With activity this close, ride with a partner, fit a bike bell, and avoid forested passes at dawn and dusk.
1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Niigata, Toyama.
Sighted one bear
Itoigawa, Niigata
Before 06:00 on the 7th, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted in the mountains of Aomi Miyahanamachi, Itoigawa City, about 100 meters from a residence (Itoigawa police).
Itoigawa, Niigata
Sighted one bear
Itoigawa, Niigata
On May 7, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture. The article does not give specific details on the exact location, time, or number of bears.
Itoigawa 中央, Niigata
One bear spotted heading toward the back/eastern mountain
Itoigawa, Niigata
Around 17:00 on April 24, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Sotoba, Itoigawa City, and was observed very close to a residence (Itoigawa Police).
Itoigawa 大字外波, Niigata
Sighted one bear
Itoigawa 大字外波, Niigata
On April 24, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Itoigawa City. The article provides no specific location, time, or number of bears.
Itoigawa 中央, Niigata
Observed one bear heading toward Omi near Osawa Bridge on the Osawa-Morimoto municipal road
Itoigawa 大字大沢, Niigata
Peak activity at 17:00 with 2 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.
Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.
No comments yet.
Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 1 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 Itoigawa, Niigata; the location sits about 23.9 km from the start of the route and 100 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 17:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 46.0 km route from Itoigawa to Itoigawa crosses Niigata and Toyama. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 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 Itoigawa, Niigata; the location sits about 23.9 km from the start of the route and 100 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Itoigawa, Niigata, sitting about 24.0 km from the start and 13 m off the route line. With activity this close, ride with a partner, fit a bike bell, and avoid forested passes at dawn and dusk.
