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.
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).
Bears in Saitama (FY2026)
This map shows 6 incidents and posts in Saitama (1 injury, 5 sightings), each with its date, place and source. The Ministry of the Environment's provisional count for Saitama (Apr–Aug) is 82 sightings, the 26th highest of the prefectures that publish one.
Sources: Ministry of the Environment (Japanese), and the news or official report for each item in the list.
Pages by prefecture
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