Mountains & Hiking · Aomori
Mount Iwaki Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Mount Iwaki, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Mount Iwaki is seeing black bear activity again in Hirosaki, where on April 26, 2026, a bear was sighted in Miwa in the morning, and another one was reported the same day at 07:50 in farmland near Sunazawa reservoir in Sanwa. A further report came from Sotoyama in Sakuraba on April 22, 2026, near Taga Shrine, where a sound like a bear was heard and a black hairy object was seen.
The busiest parts of this area have been around Hirosaki City locations such as Sakuraba, Kuniyoshi, Togoshinai, and Miwa, with reports building through late summer and fall. Activity peaked in August with 35 incidents and stayed high in July with 34, September with 22, October with 19, and November with 18, while the full record for Mount Iwaki now stands at 553 black bear sightings.
Mount Iwaki Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Nearby Areas
Comments (1)
Four sightings in just four days around Hirosaki in late December is a lot for that time of year.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Mount Iwaki
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Mount Iwaki?
Mount Iwaki has recorded 553 bear incidents in total, with 3 reported in the last 30 days and 2 in the last 7 days. These reports are compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions, and can be viewed on the incident map.
When and where was the latest bear incident in Mount Iwaki?
The most recent bear sighting in Mount Iwaki was on April 26, 2026 in Hirosaki, Aomori, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Mount Iwaki?
Recent bear sightings in Mount Iwaki have been concentrated in Hirosaki (23), Nishimeya Tashiro (12), Hirosaki 大字十面沢 (8). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Mount Iwaki?
Activity is elevated. 2 of the 3 monthly incidents occurred in the last 7 days.
What type of bears are in Mount Iwaki?
Mount Iwaki is home to Asian black bears, which weigh up to 120kg and inhabit the mountains of Honshu and Shikoku. They are generally shy but can be dangerous when surprised or protecting cubs. Carry bear bells while hiking.