This 62.2 km route from Myoko to Itoigawa crosses Niigata and Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 16 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 2 days ago near Shinano Kumasaka, Nagano; the location sits about 16.7 km from the start of the route and 2.1 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Myoko 大字坂口新田, Niigata, sitting about 23.1 km from the start and 19 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
Size: adult
Shinano Kumasaka, 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
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
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
Before 7:00 a.m. on April 22, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted near a bus stop in Nishikamoda, Nadachi Ward, Joetsu City. The sighting occurred close to a private house, the Joetsu police said.
Joetsu 名立区西蒲生田, Niigata
Before 7:00 AM on April 22, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted at a bus stop in Nishi-Gamoda, Nadachi-ku, Joetsu City. The sighting was reported very close to houses and confirmed by the Joetsu police station.
Joetsu 名立区西蒲生田, Niigata
While taking out garbage at the collection site, I spotted one bear. It moved southeast along the prefectural road.
Joetsu 名立区西蒲生田, 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
Moved along the nearby block fence and fled into the nearby woods.
Myoko 大字坂口新田, Niigata
While driving on National Route 18, it attempted to cross the highway from the west but did not cross and moved into the mountains on the west side.
Myoko 大字坂口新田, Niigata
Size: adult
Shinano Kashiwabara, Nagano
Observed one bear heading toward Omi near Osawa Bridge on the Osawa-Morimoto municipal road
Itoigawa 大字大沢, Niigata
One bear was sighted in the Itōigawa area, Kamihayakawa district, within the Dokura vicinity near the Dokura community center. It moved east.
Itoigawa 大字土倉, Niigata
Peak activity at 7:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 16 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 2 days ago near Shinano Kumasaka, Nagano; the location sits about 16.7 km from the start of the route and 2.1 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 7:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 62.2 km route from Myoko to Itoigawa crosses Niigata and Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 16 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 2 days ago near Shinano Kumasaka, Nagano; the location sits about 16.7 km from the start of the route and 2.1 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Myoko 大字坂口新田, Niigata, sitting about 23.1 km from the start and 19 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
