This 819 km route runs from Minami Ward, Niigata to Chubu Centrair International Airport, passing through Niigata, Nagano, Fukui, Shiga, Aichi, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Mie, and Toyama. In the past 30 days, 105 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 31 of them. The latest sighting was reported 23 hours ago near Fukui Kazamakicho, Fukui.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
24 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Niigata, Nagano, Fukui, Shiga, Aichi, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Mie, Toyama.
One bear about 100 centimeters in body length was sighted 400 meters west of the Shimoaono Community Hall in the Ao-no area.
Joetsu, Niigata
At around 11:20 on May 19, a single bear approximately 100 cm long was sighted about 400 m west of Shimo-Aono Kaikan in Aono, Joetsu City, and a report was made to the city hall. Joetsu Police and the city are urging local residents to be cautious.
Joetsu, Niigata
Size: Adult
Iizuna Kawakami, Nagano
Several marathon runners who were participating in the ongoing event were sighted
Kashiwazaki, Niigata
On May 17, 2026, one bear was sighted around 10:00 AM on the course along Prefectural Route 73 Kujiranami-Miyakawa Line in Okouchi Nitta, Kashiwazaki City, and the organizers suspended the 26th Kashiwazaki Shiokaze Marathon at 12:15 PM. No injuries were reported.
Kashiwazaki, Niigata
On May 17, multiple runners reported seeing a bear at a water station set up in a mountainous part of the Kashiwazaki Sea Breeze Marathon, and the race organizers halted the event at noon for safety. The city and the hunters' association searched the area but found no bear or traces; the footprints at the scene were judged likely to be from a wild boar.
Kashiwazaki, Niigata
This morning at around 10:00, a report was received that one bear was sighted along Prefectural Route 73 (Kujiranami-Miyagawa Line) in the Okochi Shinden area. ※As an aside, because of this the marathon (Shiokaze Marathon) was canceled. https://www.city.kashiwazaki.lg.jp/cgi-bin/smart_alert.php/1/detail/1193943 (The input screen overlaps with the keyboard, so I can’t paste the link there.)
Kashiwazaki 大字大河内新田, Niigata
A bear was spotted on the course of the Kashiwazaki Seaside Marathon, and the race was halted on May 17, 2026. Runners located before the sighting point were boarded onto buses and evacuated.
Kashiwazaki, Niigata
At around 06:40 on May 16, a report was received of one bear about 100 cm long sighted near the Route 18 Fujisawa Snow Removal Station in Fujisawa, Nakago Ward, Joetsu City. The Nakago Ward office received the report and warned local residents to be cautious.
Joetsu, Niigata
While driving on National Route 18, one bear was sighted. It moved across the west-facing slope.
Joetsu, Niigata
Nagaoka City installed drum-can style capture traps at dozens of locations in the city from May through June, placing honey inside as bait. Previously traps were set near reported sightings, but this year they will also be placed in mountain areas without sighting reports to prevent bears from entering inhabited areas.
Nagaoka, Niigata
Size: adult with cub(s)
Nagano Ageya, Nagano
Size: adult and cub
Iizuna Kawakami, Nagano
A black bear (Tsukinowaguma) approached a camera in the mountain area of Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, with a beehive reported nearby. An adult bear was also confirmed on the Iwate University campus (Morioka City decided not to carry out emergency shooting and the university canceled all classes), and another individual appeared in a residential area in New Jersey, USA.
Joetsu, Niigata
Size: Adult
Iizuna Kurai, Nagano
Size: Adult
Nagano Tanaka, Nagano
Size: Adult
Iizuna Kawakami, Nagano
Size: adult
Shinano Kumasaka, Nagano
One bear-like animal was sighted near the summit area of the Kanayama Park lift in the Oaza Onuki area.
Joetsu, Niigata
Size: juvenile
Nagano Ageya, Nagano
At around 07:00 on May 4, 2026, one bear was sighted near a blueberry farm in Kanemata, Myoko City. The bear's length was unknown; the sighting occurred close to houses and police warned nearby residents to be cautious.
Myoko, Niigata
Around 06:02 on May 3, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the Teramachi interchange on National Route 18 in Yanaiida-machi, Myoko City, and a passerby reported it. Police and the city warned nearby residents and carried out alerting activities.
Myoko, Niigata
Around 06:00 on the 3rd, a bear was reported sighted in the parking lot of Arai Shopping Center in Kurihara 4, Myoko City. According to the Myoko Police, the bear was about 1 meter long, then appeared to move toward the urban area and was also reported near municipal housing in Nakagawa before 07:00, prompting the police to urge caution.
Myoko, Niigata
A passerby in the vicinity spotted one bear heading south.
Myoko, Niigata
Size: adult
Iizuna Hiraide, Nagano
In Myoko City (Shi) on April 27 at around 10:30 a.m., a passerby spotted a bear about 1 meter long walking through rice fields from the Yashiro River toward the settlement and reported it to the police. The sighting was about 100 meters from houses, and the police and Myoko City are patrolling the area and issuing warnings.
Myoko, Niigata
At about 10:30 a.m. on April 27, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted near the Yashiro Community Sports Center area in Myoko City (Shi). The bear was seen walking through rice fields and crossing a road toward residential houses; police and the city warned residents and carried out patrols, but the bear later disappeared from view.
Myoko, Niigata
Size: Adult
Nagano Nakazone, Nagano
Size: adult
Nagano Kitago, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shinano Kashiwabara, Nagano
(The bear) wandered for a while between the expressway and the national highway, then moved west.
Myoko 大字上八幡新田, Niigata
Around 15:00 on April 22, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted at Michi-no-Eki Arai in Inoyama, Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture. Police have warned the public and are conducting surveillance.
Myoko, Niigata
On 2026-04-22, one bear was sighted at Michi-no-Eki Arai in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture. A witness said, "The door opened and a large black thing came in."
Myoko, Niigata
One bear sighted near Inari Pond within the Oaza Shimobaba area.
Joetsu 大字下馬場, Niigata
Fukui Kazamakicho, Fukui
At around 07:10 on the 19th, one adult bear was sighted in Kumasaka, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Employees of chain manufacturer Daido Kogyo spotted the bear, which was heading north from the factory; no injuries were reported. Kaga City is patrolling the area and urging caution.
Kaga Kumasakamachi, Ishikawa
From the early hours into the morning on the 19th, three bear sightings were reported in Kaga City. At about 03:15 a roughly 1-meter bear was seen beside National Route 305 in Daishoji Chihomachi, at 07:10 another bear was seen in a vacant lot between Route 8 and IR Daishoji Station in Kumasaka-machi, and at 11:50 a cub was seen on the prefectural road in Chokkashita-machi; the Daishoji police and the city are patrolling and warning residents by email.
Kaga Daishoji-Imademachi, Ishikawa
Sighted an approximately 1-meter juvenile bear-like animal crossing the road from north to south.
Toyama, Toyama
Size: Adult
Iizuna Kawakami, Nagano
Fukui Koshikidanicho, Fukui
One adult bear sighted on a trail running course in the Yoko-o area of Asahi Town (in the forested area).
Asahi, Toyama
One adult bear sighted on a trail-running course in the forested mountain area.
Toyama, Toyama
At around 06:40 on May 16, a report was received of one bear about 100 cm long sighted near the Route 18 Fujisawa Snow Removal Station in Fujisawa, Nakago Ward, Joetsu City. The Nakago Ward office received the report and warned local residents to be cautious.
Joetsu, Niigata
While driving on National Route 18, one bear was sighted. It moved across the west-facing slope.
Joetsu, Niigata
Observed one animal believed to be a bear.
Tateyama, Toyama
Size: adult with cub(s)
Nagano Ageya, Nagano
Size: adult and cub
Iizuna Kawakami, Nagano
Sighted one animal believed to be a bear.
Toyama, Toyama
Sighted one bear
Itoigawa, Niigata
In Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture, near the scene where an 86-year-old man was attacked by a bear and injured, a woman in her 60s also sustained injuries believed to have been caused by a bear. The woman went on her own to a hospital in the prefecture.
Tateyama, Toyama
According to Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture, near the scene where an 86-year-old man was attacked by a bear, a woman in her 60s also suffered injuries believed to have been caused by a bear. The woman went to a hospital in the prefecture on her own.
Tateyama, Toyama
A bear was reportedly sighted in a residential area of Toyama City, and the city and the hunters' association are searching for where it appeared.
Toyama, Toyama
A black bear (Tsukinowaguma) approached a camera in the mountain area of Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, with a beehive reported nearby. An adult bear was also confirmed on the Iwate University campus (Morioka City decided not to carry out emergency shooting and the university canceled all classes), and another individual appeared in a residential area in New Jersey, USA.
Joetsu, Niigata
Size: Adult
Iizuna Kurai, Nagano
Size: Adult
Nagano Tanaka, Nagano
Awara 山十楽, Fukui
Size: Adult
Iizuna Kawakami, Nagano
Awara 山十楽, Fukui
Spotted a mother bear and cub near rice paddies about 300 meters south of Takano Elementary School's sports ground.
Toyama, Toyama
Spotted a mother bear and cub near rice fields about 300 meters south of Takano Elementary School's playground.
Tateyama, Toyama
Size: adult
Shinano Kumasaka, Nagano
One bear-like animal was sighted near the summit area of the Kanayama Park lift in the Oaza Onuki area.
Joetsu, 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
Size: juvenile
Nagano Ageya, Nagano
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
Fukui Tsubotanicho, Fukui
At around 07:00 on May 4, 2026, one bear was sighted near a blueberry farm in Kanemata, Myoko City. The bear's length was unknown; the sighting occurred close to houses and police warned nearby residents to be cautious.
Myoko, Niigata
Fukui Sakashitacho, Fukui
Around 06:02 on May 3, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the Teramachi interchange on National Route 18 in Yanaiida-machi, Myoko City, and a passerby reported it. Police and the city warned nearby residents and carried out alerting activities.
Myoko, Niigata
Around 06:00 on the 3rd, a bear was reported sighted in the parking lot of Arai Shopping Center in Kurihara 4, Myoko City. According to the Myoko Police, the bear was about 1 meter long, then appeared to move toward the urban area and was also reported near municipal housing in Nakagawa before 07:00, prompting the police to urge caution.
Myoko, Niigata
A passerby in the vicinity spotted one bear heading south.
Myoko, Niigata
One bear sighted
Toyama, Toyama
Awara 笹岡, Fukui
One bear spotted heading toward the back/eastern mountain
Itoigawa, Niigata
Around 06:00 on May 1, 2026, a single bear was sighted near the Kamiichi River in Uonomi, Namerikawa (Toyama). The city and police patrolled but did not find the bear. Tanaka Elementary closed temporarily, Namerikawa Junior High canceled club activities and adjusted student dismissal, and Namerikawa High School postponed an event; authorities urged caution.
Namerikawa, Toyama
Near the left bank by the mouth of the Kamichigawa River, someone witnessed what appeared to be a bear poke its head out of the bushes.
Namerikawa, Toyama
Around 06:00 on May 1, 2026, one bear was sighted near the riverbank about 200 meters upstream from the mouth of the Kamiichi River in Namerikawa City, Toyama Prefecture. Police searched the area but found no trace or footprints; nearby Tanaka Elementary School closed temporarily and surrounding schools and residents were affected.
Namerikawa, Toyama
A resident discovered signs that a bear had eaten bamboo shoots in the mountain forest.
Asahi, Toyama
Toyama City conducted an emergency cull on the afternoon of April 30 and eliminated one bear at 12:59 PM that had caused a human injury. The culled bear was a male approximately 150 cm long, weighing 110 kg and estimated to be 7 years old; it was found hiding in a thicket about 200 meters north of the attack site.
Toyama, Toyama
In Toyama City, a woman in her 40s walking was attacked, and on the afternoon of April 30 an emergency shooting operation killed a male bear measuring 150 cm and weighing 110 kg (estimated 7 years old). The cull took place in a thicket about 200 meters north of the site where the woman was attacked.
Toyama, Toyama
Bear tracks discovered
Kamiichi, Toyama
Fukui Kaminakacho, Fukui
Size: adult
Iizuna Hiraide, Nagano
In Toyama City, a woman in her 40s was attacked; a single male bear approximately 150 cm long, about 110 kg in weight, and estimated to be 7 years old was found in a thicket about 200 meters north of the scene and was culled.
Toyama, Toyama
In Toyama Prefecture, a woman in her 40s was injured in a bear attack, and footprints near the scene indicate the attacking animal is believed to be the one that was culled. The culled bear weighed about 85 kg and was not emaciated; it is thought to have moved down the Jintsu River into residential areas, prompting the prefecture to issue an Asiatic black bear warning until May 31.
Toyama, Toyama
On the night of April 29, 2026, a woman in her 40s was attacked by a bear in a residential area of Toyama City. A prefectural police helicopter equipped with a thermal scope detected a heat source from above and pinpointed the bear's hiding place; authorities issued an Asiatic black bear sighting warning.
Toyama, Toyama
At around 21:20 on April 29, a bear cub was sighted in Kamo-gawara 2-chome, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture. Authorities urge people not to approach and to report sightings to the city office or police (Fukui Minami Police Station 0776-34-0110).
Fukui Wakasugicho, Fukui
Eiheiji 谷口, Fukui
At around 20:50 on April 29, a single cub was sighted in Taniguchi, Eiheiji Town, Fukui Prefecture. People are urged not to approach and to report sightings to the municipal office or the police (Fukui Police Station 0776-52-0110).
Eiheiji 谷口, Fukui
Eiheiji 松岡小畑, Fukui
Fukui Sakashitacho, Fukui
Around 19:30 on the previous day, a woman in her 40s walking her dog in a residential area of Toyama City was attacked by a bear that emerged from an irrigation canal, suffering scratches to her face and head. She was taken to hospital by nearby residents and is not in life-threatening condition; police and the city, together with a hunters' association, are conducting searches and patrols but the bear has not been found and its size is unknown.
Toyama, Toyama
In a residential area of Toyama City, a woman in her 40s who was walking her dog was attacked by a bear that jumped out of an irrigation canal, suffering injuries to her face and head. The incident occurred on the evening of April 29, 2026.
Toyama, Toyama
Around 13:00, a passerby reported seeing a bear cub to the reception at Fudōji Temple, and the report was forwarded to the Agriculture and Forestry Promotion Division via the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division. Because the witness could not stay to accompany officials, no on-site inspection was carried out; however, the location was inferred based on the details of the report.
Oyabe, Ishikawa
Eiheiji 山, Fukui
In Myoko City (Shi) on April 27 at around 10:30 a.m., a passerby spotted a bear about 1 meter long walking through rice fields from the Yashiro River toward the settlement and reported it to the police. The sighting was about 100 meters from houses, and the police and Myoko City are patrolling the area and issuing warnings.
Myoko, Niigata
At about 10:30 a.m. on April 27, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted near the Yashiro Community Sports Center area in Myoko City (Shi). The bear was seen walking through rice fields and crossing a road toward residential houses; police and the city warned residents and carried out patrols, but the bear later disappeared from view.
Myoko, Niigata
Awara 矢地, Fukui
On the afternoon of April 26, 2026, a security guard spotted a bear near Kurikara Fudoji in Tsubata Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. Town staff and members of the hunters' association patrolled the area, and the bear reportedly fled into the mountain opposite the festival site.
Tsubata Kurikara, Ishikawa
At around 13:50, an event security guard at the Yaezakura Festival reported via the Commerce and Tourism Division that a bear cub (about 70 cm in body length) had been sighted. A field inspection was conducted, but no traces or evidence were found.
Oyabe, Ishikawa
Around 13:50 on April 26, a bear about 70 cm long was sighted on a road near Kurikara Fudo-ji in Tsubata Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. A security guard observed the bear, which ran toward the mountain away from the festival site; town staff and the local hunters' association are patrolling the area and urging caution.
Tsubata Kurikara, Ishikawa
Fukui Hananotanicho, Fukui
Size: Adult
Nagano Nakazone, Nagano
Eiheiji 東古市, Fukui
Observed one adult bear near the cowshed
Tateyama 日中上野, Toyama
At around 05:15 on April 25, 2026, an adult bear was sighted in the Yotsuyao area of Tateyama Town (near the terrace). Residents in the vicinity are being advised to exercise caution.
Tateyama, Toyama
One bear sighted in the Kumazaka Town area.
Kaga, Ishikawa
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
Size: adult
Nagano Kitago, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shinano Kashiwabara, Nagano
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
(The bear) wandered for a while between the expressway and the national highway, then moved west.
Myoko 大字上八幡新田, Niigata
Around 15:00 on April 22, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted at Michi-no-Eki Arai in Inoyama, Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture. Police have warned the public and are conducting surveillance.
Myoko, Niigata
On 2026-04-22, one bear was sighted at Michi-no-Eki Arai in Myoko City, Niigata Prefecture. A witness said, "The door opened and a large black thing came in."
Myoko, Niigata
One bear sighted near Inari Pond within the Oaza Shimobaba area.
Joetsu 大字下馬場, Niigata
On the night of April 20, an AI camera in the mountainside of Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture, captured an adult bear. Authorities have urged nearby residents to be cautious.
Tonami 新又, Toyama
One bear was detected by the AI bear camera.
Tonami 塩浅, Toyama
Fukui Kazamakicho, Fukui
erroneous capture
Otsu Ikadachi-Minamishocho, Shiga
Fukui Koshikidanicho, Fukui
Echizen Aono, Fukui
May 16, around 14:30, Ikadachi Minamishō-chō
Otsu Ikadachi-Minamishocho, Shiga
accidental capture
Otsu Ogicho, Shiga
Minami-Echizen 社谷, Fukui
May 10, around 21:30, Ōgimachi
Otsu Ikadachi-Minamishocho, Shiga
About 100 m north of Saga Kusanoné House
Takashima, Shiga
Fukui Tsubotanicho, Fukui
Observed in a thicket while I was eating. Smaller, about 1 meter, but it looked heavier than that.
Otsu, Shiga
About 500 meters southeast of Umenoko Sports Park
Takashima, Shiga
Echizen Obata, Fukui
National Route 477 — moving from east to west
Otsu Ikadachi-Shimozaijicho, Shiga
At around 21:20 on April 29, a bear cub was sighted in Kamo-gawara 2-chome, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture. Authorities urge people not to approach and to report sightings to the city office or police (Fukui Minami Police Station 0776-34-0110).
Fukui Wakasugicho, Fukui
Shinasahi Town, Kumano-moto — near the baseball field
Takashima Shin-Asahicho-Kumanomoto, Shiga
Peak activity at 6:00 with 12 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, 105 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 31 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 23 hours ago near Fukui Kazamakicho, Fukui.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 6:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 819 km route runs from Minami Ward, Niigata to Chubu Centrair International Airport, passing through Niigata, Nagano, Fukui, Shiga, Aichi, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Mie, and Toyama. In the past 30 days, 105 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 31 of them. The latest sighting was reported 23 hours ago near Fukui Kazamakicho, Fukui. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
