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This 324 km route runs from Kota Shrine to Nikaho, passing through Niigata, Akita, and Yamagata. In the past 30 days, 93 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 11 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Murakami, Niigata.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Niigata, Akita, Yamagata.
Around 6:00 on July 25, a bear was spotted moving in Sangawa, Murakami City.
Murakami, Niigata
Environment: Near houses / Size: Adult
Sakata 坂野辺新田, Yamagata
A bear was sighted in Joritsukamurahigashi-yama, Sakata City.
Sakata 十里塚, Yamagata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult
Sakata 十里塚, Yamagata
Environment: Near residential area / Size: Adult
Sakata 十里塚, Yamagata
Around 09:15 on 2026-07-22, one bear was sighted in Jūrizuka, Sakata City, Yamagata, and moved to a forest on the west side.
Sakata 十里塚, Yamagata
One bear about 100 centimeters long was sighted near National Route 8 in front of the former Daily Yamazaki.
Joetsu, Niigata
One bear about 100 centimeters long was sighted 100 meters west of Mushou bus stop.
Joetsu, Niigata
One bear about 100 cm in body length was sighted on a side road 100 meters east of the former Daily Yamazaki.
Joetsu, Niigata
Environment: Near houses / Size: Adult
Shōnai 跡, Yamagata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult
Sakata 坂野辺新田, Yamagata
Takada / Environment: Forest / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 金沢, Yamagata
A single cub (size unknown) was sighted near Dainichizaka Tunnel. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. / Environment: forest / Size: juvenile
Tsuruoka 田川, Yamagata
There were multiple reports believed to be of the same individual / Environment: farmland / Size: adult
Sakata 十里塚, Yamagata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Unknown
Sakata 十里塚, Yamagata
One adult bear was sighted in Honcho 4-chome, Sakata City.
Sakata 新町, Yamagata
Environment: Near residential area / Size: Adult
Sakata 新町, Yamagata
Environment: Near residences / Size: Adult
Sakata 宮野浦, Yamagata
There have been multiple other sightings in the vicinity, believed to be the same individual. / Environment: Near houses / Size: Adult
Sakata 宮野浦, Yamagata
A single bear (body length unknown) was sighted within the Yama-Iso River area near the Atsumi government office. / Environment: Within a shrine precinct / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 山五十川, Yamagata
At around 6:00 on 2026-07-16, one bear was sighted in a shrine precinct in Yamakogawa, Tsuruoka City.
Tsuruoka 山五十川, Yamagata
Discovered signs/traces of footprints
Nagaoka, Niigata
There were bear tracks (footprints) in a rice field about 200 meters toward the mountain from the Sawashimojo district office.
Nagaoka, Niigata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult
Sakata 坂野辺新田, Yamagata
Around 6:10 PM on 2026-07-13, one bear was sighted in Sakanoheniida Chizuguyama, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Sakata 坂野辺新田, Yamagata
Environment: Near homes / Size: Unknown
Sakata 浜中, Yamagata
One bear about 100 centimeters in body length was sighted approximately 200 meters east of Joetsu Gochi Nursing Home.
Joetsu, Niigata
A nearby resident sighted one bear. It entered the grassy area to the west.
Joetsu, Niigata
One bear about 1 meter long was sighted in a residential lot in Gochi 6-chome, Joetsu City, Niigata, and left heading west.
Joetsu, Niigata
Around 4:30 a.m. on July 11, a bear about 1 meter long was spotted on the premises of a private residence in Gochi 6, Joetsu City.
Joetsu, Niigata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Juvenile
Yuza 菅里, Yamagata
Around 13:15 on 2026-07-10, a bear was sighted in Oshikiri Shinden, Mikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture.
Mikawa 大字押切新田, Yamagata
While heading north on former Route 7, I spotted an animal that appeared to be a bear cub on the riverbed. (Around 13:30) / Environment: riverbed / Size: juvenile
Mikawa 大字押切新田, Yamagata
Environment: Near homes / Size: Unknown
Sakata 新町, Yamagata
One bear was sighted in Oshikiri-shinden, Mikawa Town, as it tried to go up from the riverbed to the embankment.
Mikawa 大字押切新田, Yamagata
Attempted to climb up the levee from the riverbed, was startled by a car and returned to the riverbed. (Sighted around 16:32) / Environment: Roadway / Size: Unknown
Mikawa 大字押切新田, Yamagata
There were footprints in the rice field. Sightings were also reported nearby on 7/7 and 7/8. The estimated date and time are unknown.
Murakami, Niigata
One bear (body length 1.0 m) was sighted near the old Aburato Tunnel (seaside exit). Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 油戸, Yamagata
At around 10:50 on July 9, one bear was seen moving in Hakoa, Shibata City, Niigata.
Shibata, Niigata
While driving on Prefectural Road 73 toward Yasuda, the witness spotted one bear in the bushes on the right-hand side. The bear immediately retreated back into the brush and fled.
Kashiwazaki, Niigata
Atsumi government office: One bear (body length unknown) was sighted in the Nezugaseki area. / Environment: Around residences / Size: Unknown
Tsuruoka, Yamagata
Atsumi government office area: One juvenile bear (approximately 0.7 m in body length) was sighted along the river near the Nezugaseki River Bridge. / Environment: Around residential area / Size: Juvenile
Tsuruoka, Yamagata
Around 6 a.m., one cub about 70 cm long was sighted in Nezugaseki, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Tsuruoka 鼠ケ関, Yamagata
Moved from the settlement to the forested mountains (south side).
Murakami, Niigata
One bear (body length unknown) was sighted about 300 m east of Abura-to Community Center, near Nakata Bridge. Subsequent whereabouts unknown. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 油戸, Yamagata
Around 08:50 on 2026-07-08, an animal believed to be a bear was sighted in Komabayashi, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture.
Joetsu, Niigata
One animal believed to be a bear, about 100 centimeters in body length, was sighted 400 meters north of the Ken-Do Joetsu-Yasuzuka-Uragawara Line.
Joetsu, Niigata
Observed moving to the west. / Environment: farmland / Size: unknown
Mikawa 大字神花, Yamagata
On 2026-07-08 around 19:30, one bear was seen moving in Nashioki, Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture.
Murakami, Niigata
Around 8:00 on 2026-07-08, one bear of unknown body length was sighted in a field in Kamihana, Mikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture.
Mikawa 大字神花, Yamagata
There was a black object that appeared to be a bear; after checking a video on a smartphone, the person reported it. / Environment: Near residential area / Size: Unknown
Tsuruoka 日枝, Yamagata
A juvenile bear was sighted about 300 m past the Mitoe/Mitse (Mise) interchange exit. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. / Environment: roadway / Size: juvenile
Tsuruoka 三瀬, Yamagata
Atsumi government office: A single bear (approx. 1 m in body length) was sighted within the Yu-Atsumi area. / Environment: Around residences / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 湯温海, Yamagata
Atsumi government office: One bear (approximately 1 m body length) was sighted within the Yu-Atsumi area. / Environment: Around houses / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 湯温海, Yamagata
One bear approximately 80 centimeters in body length was sighted 200 meters east of the former Marine Fishing Center.
Joetsu, Niigata
A bear about 0.8 meters long was sighted in Mushu Iwato, Joetsu City.
Joetsu, Niigata
A bear about 1 meter long collided with a moving passenger car on a road in Sakuramachi, Murakami City. The female driver was not injured, but part of the vehicle was damaged.
Murakami, Niigata
A vehicle traveling on National Route 113 from the Yamagata direction collided with a bear about 1.0 m in body length, and the bear ran off toward the Green Park Arakawa General Sports Park.
Murakami, Niigata
A single bear about 1.0 m in body length was roaming through the rice field.
Murakami, Niigata
One bear was spotted roaming in a rice paddy in the Sasaki area of Murakami City, Niigata.
Murakami, Niigata
One bear was sighted in Yutōnami, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Tsuruoka 湯温海, Yamagata
One bear was sighted at Koganebarahara Park in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata.
Tsuruoka 日枝, Yamagata
Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Yuza 北目, Yamagata
Environment: riverbed / Size: adult (fully grown)
Yuza 遊佐, Yamagata
Around 4:00 on 2026-07-06, one bear was sighted on the riverbed in Yusa, Yusa Town.
Yuza 遊佐, Yamagata
Atsumi government office: A vehicle on National Route 7 collided with one bear (body length 0.8 m). The bear subsequently fled into the mountains. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 大岩川, Yamagata
Atsumi Government Office area: One observer sighted a young bear (body length unknown) on the railroad tracks within the Koiwagawa vicinity. / Environment: On the railroad tracks / Size: Juvenile
Tsuruoka 小岩川, Yamagata
Atsumi government office: A person observed one bear (body length unknown) within the Yuu-Atsumi area. / Environment: riverside / Size: unknown
Tsuruoka 湯温海, Yamagata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Unknown
Sakata 関, Yamagata
A single bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) was sighted near the Kogata Purification Center. It moved south from the seaside and was later not found. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 堅苔沢, Yamagata
One bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Konokozawa, Tsuruoka City.
Tsuruoka 堅苔沢, Yamagata
Crossed from the east side to the west side.
Murakami, Niigata
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a highway in Shimoaikawa, Murakami City, Niigata.
Murakami, Niigata
A single bear about 100 centimeters long was sighted at a point approximately 200 meters northeast of the Komabayashi neighborhood hall within the Oaza Komabayashi area.
Joetsu, Niigata
One bear (approx. 1.0 m in body length) was sighted about 300 m east of Abura-do Community Center, near Nakata Bridge. It moved south and was later not found. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 油戸, Yamagata
One cub was sighted in Koiwagawa, Tsuruoka City, coming down from the mountain to National Route 7 and then returning to the mountain when a witness called out.
Tsuruoka 小岩川, Yamagata
Atsumi government office building area: Witnessed one cub (body length unknown) that came down from the mountain onto National Route 7. When the witness called out, the cub returned to the mountain. / Environment: Near houses / Size: Juvenile
Tsuruoka 小岩川, Yamagata
A cub was sighted crossing a railway line from the mountain side to the sea side in Hayata, Tsuruoka City.
Tsuruoka 早田, Yamagata
Ainsai government office area: Observed a cub (about 0.5 m body length) crossing the tracks from the mountainside to the seaside in the Hayata area. / Environment: Around houses / Size: Juvenile
Tsuruoka 早田, Yamagata
A witness observed one cub moving from the seaside toward the mountains. / Environment: Road / Size: Juvenile
Tsuruoka 小岩川, Yamagata
While traveling on Prefectural Route Kamimasuda–Yoshikawa, I sighted one bear. It ran off to the south.
Joetsu, Niigata
Atsumi government office: One bear (body length unknown) sighted in the Yu-Atsumi area. / Environment: Near houses / Size: Unknown
Tsuruoka 温海, Yamagata
Atsumi government office area: One bear (body length unknown) sighted within the Yunokami area. / Environment: Near residences / Size: Unknown
Tsuruoka 温海, Yamagata
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted at the Tsuruoka City Atsumi Forestry Association parking lot in Oiwagawa, Tsuruoka City.
Tsuruoka 大岩川, Yamagata
Atsumi government office: One bear (approximately 1 m in body length) sighted in the parking lot of the Tsuruoka City Atsumi Forest Cooperative. / Environment: business/office parking lot / Size: adult
Tsuruoka 大岩川, Yamagata
A single bear (body length 1.0 m) was sighted at a farming work hut in Nakayama area. It appeared to be eating rice. It moved away from the sighting location afterward. / Environment: Around homes / Size: Adult
Tsuruoka 矢引, Yamagata
A bear entered a farm work shed in Nakayama, Tsuruoka City, and damaged rice stored in paper bags.
Tsuruoka 中山, Yamagata
A bear was sighted at a farm work shed in Nakayama, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata, eating rice stored in the shed.
Tsuruoka 中山, Yamagata
One bear was sighted about 100 meters northwest of the campsite in the Oaza Gochi Kokubu area.
Joetsu, Niigata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult
Sakata 横代, Yamagata
One bear was sighted in Gochikokubu, Joetsu City.
Joetsu, Niigata
One bear (approximately 80 cm) was sighted entering the southwest mountain near the baseball field of Tsuruoka National College of Technology. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. / Environment: forest / Size: juvenile
Tsuruoka 井岡, Yamagata
At around 15:58 on June 26, a bear was sighted in Ioka, Tsuruoka City.
Tsuruoka 井岡, Yamagata
Peak activity at 4:00 with 8 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, 93 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 11 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Murakami, Niigata.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 324 km route runs from Kota Shrine to Nikaho, passing through Niigata, Akita, and Yamagata. In the past 30 days, 93 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 11 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Murakami, Niigata. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
