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Karuizawa to Lake Shōji Drive

Driving · Moderate Risk · 140 km · 2h 33m · 2 stops · 9 sightings · Saved May 24, 2026 · Last updated 2 hours ago
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Incidents in last 7 days
9
Incidents in last 30 days
1 week ago
Latest

Safety Summary

This 140 km route runs from Karuizawa to Lake Shōji, passing through Nagano and Yamanashi. In the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days. The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Karuizawa 大字長倉, Nagano.

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 (2)

2 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Nagano, Yamanashi.

Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art
Low Risk

Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art

Yamanashi

244 incidents

Lake Shōji
Low Risk

Lake Shōji

Yamanashi

486 incidents

Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art
Low Risk

Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art

Yamanashi

244 incidents

Lake Shōji
Low Risk

Lake Shōji

Yamanashi

486 incidents

Route Timeline

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Karuizawa, Nagano
Moderate Risk 140 km 2h 33m 9 sightings within 5 km

Size: juvenile

Karuizawa 大字長倉, Nagano

Official ·1 week ago

Size: adult

Karuizawa 軽井沢, Nagano

Official ·1 week ago
Karuizawa 大字追分, Nagano

Size: Adult

Karuizawa 大字追分, Nagano

Official ·1 week ago
Show 6 more

Size: Unknown

Koumi, Nagano

Official ·1 week ago
Kōfu Nakabatakecho, Yamanashi

At around 01:35 on May 8, 2026, a truck driver traveling on National Route 358 in Nakabata-cho, Nakado district, Kofu City, spotted a bear-like animal about 1 m long on the road. The man reported it to the police, and the city conducted patrols and issued warnings to residents via disaster prevention radio.

Kōfu Nakabatakecho, Yamanashi

News ·2 weeks ago
Kōfu Wakamatsucho, Yamanashi

In the early morning of the 8th, a suspected bear about 1 m long was spotted on a national road in Kofu City, the city reported. The city is urging people to be cautious.

Kōfu Wakamatsucho, Yamanashi

News ·2 weeks ago
Kōfu Nakabatakecho, Yamanashi

A suspected bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a major bend of a national road near "右左口の里" in Kofu City. The man who saw it reported to the police, and the city conducted patrols and warned residents via disaster radio.

Kōfu Nakabatakecho, Yamanashi

News ·2 weeks ago

鍵掛峠から下りしながら鍵掛峠登山口の近くで熊みたいな動物を目にした。確認できない。

Fujikawaguchiko Saikonishi, Yamanashi

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 ·3 weeks ago
G
Lake Shōji, Yamanashi
Total Distance: 140 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 1:00 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

In the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days.

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

The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Karuizawa 大字長倉, Nagano.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 1:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 140 km route runs from Karuizawa to Lake Shōji, passing through Nagano and Yamanashi. In the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days. The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Karuizawa 大字長倉, Nagano. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.

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