Iwate Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Iwate, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Iwate’s latest bear trouble came on April 30, 2026 in Kuji City, where 1 black bear was reported in Kawasakicho. The same stretch of late April also brought a bear running on the sidewalk in Takizawa on April 29, 2026 at 17:37, which is the kind of close roadside encounter that keeps people looking over their shoulders here.
The busiest ground is around Morioka, Takizawa, Kuji, and Ichinoseki, with fresh reports also coming from Tsunagi, Otobe, and Daitocho in April 2026. Activity has peaked hard in November 2025 with 619 incidents and October 2025 with 504, after that falling to 70 in December 2025 and then 67 in March 2026; across Iwate, the record stands at 1,977 black bear sightings overall.
Iwate Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
Iwate Monthly Bear Activity Trend
Incidents per month over the past year
Places in Iwate
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Iwate
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Iwate?
Iwate has recorded 1,977 bear incidents in total, with 86 reported in the last 30 days and 23 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 Iwate?
The most recent bear sighting in Iwate was on April 29, 2026 in Kuji Kawasakicho, Iwate, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Iwate?
Recent bear sightings in Iwate have been concentrated in Kuji (8), Morioka Mitsuwari 2-chome (8), Shiwa 日詰 (6). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Iwate?
Activity has slowed. 23 incidents in the last 7 days, 86 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Iwate?
Iwate 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.