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Bear attacks and sightings in Japan 2026

About this map and how to read the numbers

This map shows, one by one from news reports, incidents in which people were injured or killed by bears and in which bears entered houses, shops and other buildings. The colour of each prefecture is the number of sightings compiled by the Ministry of the Environment (preliminary figures). In FY2025 sightings exceeded 50,000 and attacks on people reached a record high. In FY2026 there have again been attacks from Tohoku to the Kinki and Chugoku regions.

Bear sightings are life-and-death information. This map is made so that you can see the situation across Japan at a glance and check exact locations on each prefecture's page.

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List (newest first, 335 in total)

2026-11-01 · Fukushima

Bear seen in woodland in Hikarigaoka, Fukushima

Woodland in Hikarigaoka
2026-11-01 · Aizuwakamatsu

Bear seen crossing Route 118 in Odo-machi, Aizuwakamatsu

National Route 118, Yunotaira, Kotani, Odo-machi
2026-10-31 · Hadano

Bear captured and culled near Koboyama Park, Hadano, after returning from release

Around Koboyama Park
2026-10-30 · Katagami

Bear seen in woodland in Tenno Kitano, Katagami

Woodland in Tenno Kitano
2026-10-29 · Towada

Bear sighted in Sashikubo, Takizawa, Towada

Sashikubo, Takizawa (under a plum tree)
2026-10-29 · Towada

Bear crosses prefectural road in Zarubata, Yoneda, Towada

Towada-Sannohe prefectural road in Zarubata, Yoneda
2026-10-29 · Rumoi

Brown bear sighted near a national road in Owada, Rumoi

Owada (near a national road about 800 m northeast of Rumoi-Owada IC on the Fukagawa-Rumoi Expressway)
2026-10-27 · Obama

Bear near a residential area in Obama killed by emergency shooting

Riverside near a residential area
2026-10-27 · Uda

Two bears, thought to be mother and cub, caught in a trap in Uda and shot

Woodland in the city
2026-10-27 · Aibetsu

Brown bear sighted near a bridge on a national highway in Kanatomi, Aibetsu

Near Kanatomi Bridge along a national highway, Kanatomi district
2026-10-27 · Rokunohe

Adult bear sighted on a town road in Inuotose Gongenzawa, Rokunohe

Town road in Inuotose Gongenzawa (about 200 m northeast of the former Shichihyaku Junior High School)
2026-10-27 · Sapporo

Bear seen on a residential street in Fukuzumi, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo

Street near Fukuzumi 3-jo 12-chome, Toyohira Ward
2026-10-26 · Esashi

Brown bear sighted on school grounds in Esashi

School grounds in the town
2026-10-26 · Hachinohe

Bear sighted near Okubo Nagasawa, Hachinohe

Near Okubo Nagasawa (about 400 m south of the Eastern District School Lunch Center)
2026-10-25 · Ichikawamisato

Person injured on the face and right leg by a bear in Ichikawamisato

Within Ichikawamisato
2026-10-25 · Noboribetsu

Bear sighted on a sandbar of the Iburi-Horobetsu River in Sakuragi-cho, Noboribetsu

Sandbar of the Iburi-Horobetsu River in Sakuragi-cho 3-chome (near Sakura-shinbashi Bridge)
2026-10-23 · Hadano

Released bear seen again near Koboyama Park, Hadano

Near Koboyama Park
2026-10-22 · Fukaura

Bear sighted on National Route 101 near JR Hiroto Station, Fukaura

National Route 101 near JR Hiroto Station, Hiroto area
2026-10-22 · Hakodate

Brown bear about 1.5 m long sighted on a road near a baseball field in Asahioka, Hakodate

Road near a baseball field, Asahioka-cho
2026-10-21 · Yakumo

Brown bear about 1.5 m long sighted on a prefectural road in Sakurano, Yakumo

Prefectural road 573, Sakurano
2026-10-20 · Nikko

Worker attacked by bear in mountains of Yokokawa, Nikko

In the mountains, Yokokawa
2026-10-20 · Otaru

Bear on a road in a residential area of Wakatake, Otaru

Road in a residential area of Wakatake-machi
2026-10-20 · Yakumo

Brown bear footprints in a dent corn field in Hamamatsu, Yakumo

Dent corn field, Hamamatsu
2026-10-20 · Hachinohe

Bear sighted opposite the Niida River waterside school area in Nango Shimamori, Hachinohe

Near the opposite bank from the Niida River "Mizube no Gakko", Nango Shimamori
2026-10-19 · Hachinohe

Bear cub sighted on a road near Kushibiki Toriageishi, Hachinohe

Near Kushibiki Toriageishi (road about 300 m southeast of the Hachinohe Cleaning Plant)
2026-10-18 · Chichibu

Person scratched by bear during deer culling work

In the mountains, Tochimoto district, Otaki
2026-10-18 · Kiyosato

Brown bear apparently rummaged inside a car in Satsuru, Kiyosato

Residential grounds in Satsuru-cho
2026-10-17 · Daisen

Person attacked in a field, head injured

Field in Minekichikawa, Kyowa
2026-10-17 · Shimokitayama

Person bitten on face and arms, Shimokitayama

In the mountains of the village
2026-10-17 · Toyoura

Bear seen crossing road in front of elementary school, Ogishi, Toyoura

Ogishi (town road in front of Ogishi Elementary School)
How each prefecture is shown, with links to prefectural bear pages

What this map shows

This map shows, one at a time, incidents in which bears injured or killed people, bears entered buildings, and bears were seen in towns, based on news reports and announcements by local governments and the police.

The colour and number for each prefecture are the Ministry of the Environment's provisional sighting counts. Tap a point or an item in the list to see its date, place and source.

Questions and answers

What are the points on the map based on?

News articles and announcements by public bodies such as local governments and the police. Each item links to its source.

Where do the sighting counts by prefecture come from?

They are the Ministry of the Environment's provisional figures from its bear information page. Hokkaido does not publish a sighting count, so it has no number.

How often is the map updated?

Every morning, new reports and announcements are checked and added. The Ministry's provisional figures are reflected after the Ministry updates them.

When do bears hibernate in Japan?

According to the Ministry of the Environment, generally from December to February, with activity from March to November. Warm winters and regional differences can shift the timing.

Can bears appear in November, December or winter?

Yes. In fiscal 2025 Gunma Prefecture recorded 289 sightings in November, 57 in December and 13 in January. The prefecture says not every bear hibernates.

What should I do if I meet a bear?

The Ministry of the Environment says: do not approach it, stay calm and back away slowly while keeping the bear in sight, and do not shout, throw things, or turn your back and run.

Can I take bear spray on a plane?

No. Bear spray cannot be carried on or checked into aircraft, so find a place to buy or rent it after you land (National Parks of Japan / Ministry of the Environment).

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