Takahashi Area Hiking Route

On the 14th in Miyagi Prefecture, three bears about 1 meter long were sighted: in Ishinomaki City Hirobuchi (around 19:10), Osaki City Furukawa Fukunuma 2-chome (around 21:50), and Sendai City Aoba-ku Futabagaoka 2-chome (around 22:40). No injuries have been reported at any of the locations, and police have stepped up patrols and warned residents to be cautious.

Ishinomaki 広渕, Miyagi

Around 15:50 on April 14, 2026, a resident sighted what appeared to be a bear cub in the Shimotata forest area of Osawano, Toyama City (about 150 m east of National Route 41). There are a housing complex and a certified childcare center nearby; police and the hunters' association patrolled but could not find the bear and are considering setting a box trap.

Toyama Sakuragicho, Toyama

Spotted one cub while passing through the area.

Tainai 下館, Niigata

Tsuyama 長徳寺, Okayama

Shortly after 14:30 on April 12, 2026, a bear about 0.7 m long was sighted in the mountains beside a road in Shimodate, Tainai City. The sighting was reported to be about 300 meters from a house (Shibata Police).

Tainai 下館, Niigata

While passing through the area, observed one bear cub.

Tainai 下館, Niigata

On April 12, 2026, shortly after 14:00, a resident in Shimo-date, Tainai City, Niigata Prefecture reported seeing a bear. Responding police officers also sighted one bear about 70 cm long on a mountainside beside the road. Police have urged nearby residents to exercise caution.

Tainai 下館, Niigata

Around 13:00 on April 9, 2026, a woman driving a car spotted a bear about 1 meter long in Sogodai Higashi, Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, and reported it to the police. Police patrolled the area but did not find the bear and no damage has been reported; the elementary school plans for staff to monitor the school route the next morning.

Natori, Miyagi

There were claw marks on the tree, and tracks were seen nearby.

Uozu 大字六郎丸村, Toyama

Takahama Yamanaka, Fukui

According to the Hyogo Prefectural Police, at around 16:30 on April 7 a bear appeared and was sighted in Daiwa, Yachiyo-ku, Taka Town.

Taka Yachiyoku-Yamato, Hyogo

It had moved from the Sugaya Community Center parking lot toward the hills to the west.

Shibata 菅谷, Niigata

Awara Yamamuro, Fukui

Around 17:00 on the 2nd, staff at a special nursing home (Kobushi-so) near Kawahibi, Nanyō City, Yamagata Prefecture, spotted two bears believed to be a mother and cub (about 1.2 m and 80 cm long). When staff made noise the bears ran into the mountains to the north. The city has issued a warning to residents.

Nanyo 元中山, Yamagata

At around 16:55 on April 2, 2026, two bears believed to be a parent and cub were sighted on a mountainside near the Kobushiso nursing home in Kawahori, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. The adult was about 1.2 meters long and the cub about 80 cm; the city has urged nearby residents to be cautious.

Nanyo 若狭郷屋, Yamagata

At about 16:55 on April 2, 2026, two bears believed to be a parent and its offspring were sighted in Kawatari, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. The sighting occurred on a hillside near the Kobushi-so special nursing home; the adult was about 1.2 m long and the cub about 80 cm, and the city has urged nearby residents to be cautious.

Nanyo 元中山, Yamagata

According to Sendai City, at around 7:00 AM on April 1 a bear was sighted in Nishikigaoka 2-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Nishikigaoka 2-chome, Miyagi

Mimasaka Ouchidani, Okayama

According to the Kyoto Prefectural Police, at around 16:50 on March 29, 2026, a bear appeared and was sighted in Tokura Shimomachi, Ayabe City. The Sakai bus stop is located near the scene.

Tokura Shimomachi, Ayabe City, Kyoto

One bear sighted behind a private residence approximately 100 m southeast of Tagai bus stop.

Shibata 本間新田, Niigata

Ayabe Hashikamicho, Kyoto

According to Yamagata City, at around 20:15 on March 28 a bear appeared and was sighted in Zao Ueno, Yamagata City. The site is reported to be about 700 meters west of the Horita community center.

Zao Ueno (about 700 meters west of Horita community center), Yamagata

March 23, 2026

Ishinomaki Minaminakasato 3-chome, Miyagi

Around 19:30 on March 23, an animal believed to be a bear was sighted in Haguro-cho 2-chome, Ishinomaki City. The location is about 150 meters north of the Ishinomaki City General Gymnasium.

Haguro-cho 2-chome (about 150 m north of Ishinomaki City General Gymnasium), Miyagi