Minami Ward, Niigata~중부국제공항 센트레어 드라이브 루트

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

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

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