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This 40 km route runs from Yuzawa to Tokamachi within Niigata. In the past 30 days, 23 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 5 of them. The latest sighting was reported 4 days ago near Yuzawa Tsuchidaru, Niigata.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
While driving on Prefectural Route 268, I spotted one bear. It went into the brush to the south.
Yuzawa Tsuchidaru, Niigata
A single cub was sighted near the lift unloading area on the Ipponsugi Ski Resort slope.
Yuzawa, Niigata
While driving on Prefectural Route 351, I sighted one bear. It moved eastward.
Yuzawa Kandatsu, Niigata
While traveling on the town road Sekiba-Matsukawa Line, one bear was sighted. It moved eastward.
Yuzawa Tsuchidaru, Niigata
Discovered bear tracks in the field.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Three sets of bear tracks confirmed in farmland beside the Tokamachi City General Park tennis courts.
Tokamachi, Niigata
On 2026-06-08, tracks like those of a bear were found in Hakka-ko, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture.
Tokamachi, Niigata
One bear was sighted moving from farmland behind the elementary school gymnasium toward the mountains.
Tokamachi, Niigata
I saw one cub entering the woods.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Around 7:30 on 2026-06-07, a bear was sighted near Muica Snow Resort in Kokuriyama, Minamiuonuma City.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
While driving on Prefectural Route 528, I witnessed two bears — a parent and its cub — moving toward the mountains to the south.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Two types of tracks (total of 3 bears) were confirmed in farmland near the former Tokamachi Ski Resort site. 1) Tracks of one adult bear 2) Tracks of one mother and one cub
Tokamachi, Niigata
I discovered bear tracks in the field.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
One bear was sighted on Prefectural Route 49. It crossed the prefectural road from the Shinano River side and moved into the mountain on the west side.
Tokamachi, Niigata
While driving on the Kendo Kandatsu-Yuzawa Line, I spotted one bear. It ran off toward the mountains to the west.
Yuzawa Kandatsu, Niigata
Buckwheat husks stored on farmland had been scattered/rummaged through.
Tokamachi, Niigata
I observed one bear approximately 0.8 m in body length entering the woods.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
While traveling on Prefectural Route (Ojiya–Tōkamachi–Tsunami Line), observed one bear moving toward the Shinano River.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Around 06:00 on May 21, 2026, one bear was sighted moving toward the Shinano River Sports Park area while traveling on the main prefectural road Ojiya–Tokamachi–Tsunan in the Sugata No.1 area of Tokamachi. The city warned residents to avoid forests and thickets and urged measures such as carrying bells or bear spray.
Tokamachi, Niigata
At around 17:15 on May 19, 2026, a bear was sighted near the Yoshida Cross-Country Course in the Koizumi No.2 area of Tokamachi City. Residents were warned to avoid forests and tall grass.
Tokamachi, Niigata
One bear was sighted about 300 meters west of Prefectural Route Tokamachi–Kawanishi.
Tokamachi, Niigata
A staff member discovered bear tracks in a rice paddy.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Was moving from the cliff side toward the mountain side.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Peak activity at 7:00 with 6 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, 23 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 5 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 4 days ago near Yuzawa Tsuchidaru, Niigata.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 7:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 40 km route runs from Yuzawa to Tokamachi within Niigata. In the past 30 days, 23 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 5 of them. The latest sighting was reported 4 days ago near Yuzawa Tsuchidaru, Niigata. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
