Tourism Spots · Iwate
Shōun-ji Temple Black Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Shōun-ji Temple, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Shōun-ji Temple area saw a juvenile black bear in the pasture at Ōshū 衣川噌味 on March 20, 2026 at 11:00, the most recent report in this area. Earlier in March, another juvenile was seen crossing the road at Ōshū 衣川小林山 and moving into the forest to the south, showing that bears are still moving through the local edges of open ground and woods.
The strongest concentration of activity has been around Ōshū, especially 衣川上野, 衣川小林山, 衣川徳沢, and 衣川噌味, with nearby reports also coming from Ichinoseki and Kurihara. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 131 incidents and November 2025 with 94, then eased through winter and into March 2026 with 4 reports; this area has recorded 520 black bear sightings overall.
Shōun-ji Temple Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Shōun-ji Temple
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Shōun-ji Temple?
Shōun-ji Temple has 520 recorded bear incidents in total, but no activity has been reported in the last 30 days. Bear activity varies seasonally, so always check the latest status before hiking or spending time outdoors.
When and where was the latest bear incident in Shōun-ji Temple?
The most recent bear sighting in Shōun-ji Temple was on March 16, 2026 in Ichinoseki, Miyagi, where 1 Black Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Shōun-ji Temple?
Recent bear sightings in Shōun-ji Temple have been concentrated in Ōshū (11), Ōshū 衣川上河内 (9), Ōshū 前沢生母 (8). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Shōun-ji Temple?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Shōun-ji Temple?
Shōun-ji Temple 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.