Sakado Castle~Hakuba 드라이브 루트

Size: Unknown

Sakae Toyosakae, Nagano

Size: Juvenile

Hakuba, Nagano

At around 06:45 on May 21, 2026, a bear was sighted in the Mizusawa No.3 area of Tokamachi City near Echigo-Mizusawa Station; it crossed National Route 117 and headed toward the Shinano River. A warning was issued advising people to avoid forests and thick grass nearby.

Tokamachi, Niigata

Crossed National Route 117 near Echigo-Mizusawa Station and moved toward the Shinano River.

Tokamachi, Niigata

At around 09:50 on May 20, footprints of a bear were found in a field near the Takasu Ground in the Obara settlement, Tokamachi City. The city is urging nearby residents and agricultural workers to exercise caution.

Tokamachi, Niigata

Bear tracks sighted; trail indicates movement toward the southeast.

Tokamachi, Niigata

Size: adult (fully grown)

Iiyama Minamimachi, Nagano

Size: juvenile

Hakuba Hokujo, Nagano

Size: Adult

Nagano Matsushiromachi-Higashijo, Nagano

A staff member discovered bear tracks in a rice paddy.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Size: Adult

Suzaka, Nagano

Size: juvenile

Takayama, Nagano

Size: Adult

Takayama, Nagano

Size: adult (fully grown)

Takayama Takai, Nagano

Size: Unknown

Nozawaonsen Maezaka, Nagano

Size: Unknown

Kijimadaira Ogo, Nagano

I sighted one bear about 1 meter in body length near the 7th–8th station area of the Sakadoyama Castle Saka Course.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Size: Adult

Iizuna Kurai, Nagano

Walking up to the Aketaki trail in the coniferous part of the forest, i heard the rustling noises of something moving away from me but saw nothing. This was about 3pm. On the way down in the same location I heard the same noises. I looked up and saw 2 dark outlines of animals, both sat on their hind legs looking at me, about 50m higher up. I backed away and continued walking and they didn't follow. I'm 90% sure it was 2 bears, a mother and a cub, but I didn't wait around to take photos!

Nozawaonsen Toyosato, Nagano

Size: Unknown

Nozawaonsen Maezaka, Nagano

Size: adult (fully grown)

Iiyama Toyoda, Nagano

Size: unknown

Sakae Toyosakae, Nagano

A resident discovered bear tracks in a field.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

One adult bear, probably a male

Nozawaonsen Toyosato, Nagano

Size: Adult

Iiyama Tokisato, Nagano

Size: Unknown

Nozawaonsen Toyosato, Nagano

Size: Adult

Iiyama Hachisu, Nagano

A resident sighted one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

A resident spotted one bear about 1.0 m in body length near a reservoir.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

On the morning of the 3rd, a single bear about 1 m long was sighted in Izumimyoji, Minamiuonuma City; a report said the bear was walking north around a pond in the fields at about 10:00 AM. The sighting location was about 150 m from houses, and the police are coordinating with the city to issue notices and conduct patrols.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

I sighted an animal believed to be a bear about 1.5 meters long.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Size: adult

Iiyama, Nagano

Size: juvenile

Sakae Toyosakae, Nagano

Size: juvenile

Hakuba Kamishiro, Nagano

I sighted one bear about 1 m in body length entering/moving into the mountain.

Minamiuonuma, Niigata

Size: Adult

Iiyama Asahi, Nagano

Size: juvenile

Hakuba, Nagano

Size: juvenile

Hakuba, Nagano

At around 00:40 on April 29, a single bear approximately 1.5 meters long was spotted on the road in Higashiterao, Matsushiro, Nagano City; a passing car honked its horn and the bear ran away, according to a report. Police searched the area but did not find the animal and have urged local residents to be cautious.

Nagano Matsushiromachi-Higashiterao, Nagano

Size: adult (fully grown)

Iiyama Hachisu, Nagano

Size: adult

Nagano Matsushiromachi-Johoku, Nagano

While passing nearby, the team leader spotted one cub about 50 cm tall.

Tokamachi, Niigata

At around 06:00 on April 28, a juvenile bear about 50 cm long was sighted in farmland along Prefectural Route 528 in Takashima No.2 area of Tokamachi City, Niigata. At about 07:40 the same day, another bear was reported near Yoshida Junior High School in Koizumi, and the Tokamachi Police are warning residents and investigating whether the sightings are related.

Tokamachi, Niigata