This 272 km route from Mishima to Itoigawa crosses Fukushima and Niigata. Over the past 30 days, 24 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 5 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Itoigawa, Niigata; the location sits about 263.2 km from the start of the route and 100 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Itoigawa, Niigata, sitting about 263.2 km from the start and 13 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
2 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Fukushima, Niigata.
Sighted one bear
Itoigawa, Niigata
Discovered footprints on the sand dune believed to be from a bear.
Agano, Niigata
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
Observed two bear cubs on municipal road Kusamizuto-Beda Line.
Agano, Niigata
While traveling by vehicle toward Tani-sawa, a bear (one) was spotted trotting across the road. The bear ran off into the mountains to the east.
Aga 黒岩, 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
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
A supposed bear sighting before 22:30 on May 4 at a convenience-store parking lot in Kamo City (Ogocho 2) was found, after review of CCTV by the Kamo police and city, to be a leashed dog at the entrance.
Kamo, Niigata
Spotted one bear in front of the convenience store entrance. It ran off toward the northeast.
Kamo, Niigata
Kamo City reported that at around 22:25 on May 4 a roughly 1-meter bear was sighted in front of the Seven-Eleven entrance in Daigocho, Kamo, but security camera footage later showed the animal was actually a leashed dog; the city apologized on the morning of May 5 for the false report. The city continues to urge caution against bear encounters.
Kamo, Niigata
One bear spotted heading toward the back/eastern mountain
Itoigawa, Niigata
One bear was sighted. Its subsequent movement route is unknown.
Niigata, Niigata
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
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
I saw a bear while walking. (morning)
Aga 向鹿瀬, Niigata
While driving a car, I spotted one bear.
Joetsu 名立区大菅, Niigata
Observed one bear heading toward Omi near Osawa Bridge on the Osawa-Morimoto municipal road
Itoigawa 大字大沢, Niigata
At around 14:00 on April 17, a single bear approximately 1.2 m long was sighted by the roadside in Gōdo Maruyama Kō, Yanaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
Yanaizu Godo, Fukushima
Around 13:00 on April 17, a single bear about 1.2 m long was sighted at the roadside in Maruyama Ko (郷戸字丸山甲), Gōdo, Yanaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
Yanaizu 石神, Fukushima
On April 17, 2026, a bear about 1.2 meters long was sighted in Godo, Yanaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima TV is providing ongoing updates.
Yanaizu 古屋敷, Fukushima
Around 18:21 on April 16, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a road in Agano-minami, Agamachi, Niigata Prefecture. Tsugawa Police Station has warned local residents to be cautious.
Aga 黒岩, Niigata
A bear (one) was sighted on the general prefectural road Mikawa Interchange Line near Mikawa Shin-aien.
Aga あが野南, Niigata
Peak activity at 17:00 with 3 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.
Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.
No comments yet.
Over the past 30 days, 24 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 5 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Itoigawa, Niigata; the location sits about 263.2 km from the start of the route and 100 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 17:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 272 km route from Mishima to Itoigawa crosses Fukushima and Niigata. Over the past 30 days, 24 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 5 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Itoigawa, Niigata; the location sits about 263.2 km from the start of the route and 100 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Itoigawa, Niigata, sitting about 263.2 km from the start and 13 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
