This 156 km route from Echigo Sanzan-Tadami Quasi-National Park to Kitakata crosses Niigata and Fukushima. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Tadami Ishibushi, Fukushima; the location sits about 66.3 km from the start of the route and 3.2 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Uonuma, Niigata, sitting about 41.9 km from the start and 26 m off the route line.
With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
3 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Niigata, Fukushima.
It was a relatively small bear. It was eating grass about 15 meters up the mountain from the trail.
Tadami Ishibushi, Fukushima
Discovered footprints in the field
Uonuma, Niigata
Observed one bear on National Route 252. It moved toward the Kitajima direction.
Uonuma, Niigata
At around 17:25 on April 30, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Oshirakawa, Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. The sighting occurred roughly 400 meters from a residence, and the police are urging nearby residents to be cautious.
Uonuma, Niigata
Found scat on the trail heading to Fujigongen-yama
Uonuma, Niigata
A single bear (about 1 m in body length) was seen moving west.
Uonuma Okura, 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
Peak activity at 9:00 with 2 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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Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 2 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Tadami Ishibushi, Fukushima; the location sits about 66.3 km from the start of the route and 3.2 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 9:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 156 km route from Echigo Sanzan-Tadami Quasi-National Park to Kitakata crosses Niigata and Fukushima. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Tadami Ishibushi, Fukushima; the location sits about 66.3 km from the start of the route and 3.2 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Uonuma, Niigata, sitting about 41.9 km from the start and 26 m off the route line. With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
