This 46.4 km route from Akita to Yurihonjo crosses Akita. Over the past 30 days, 129 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 32 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 18 hours ago near Yurihonjō, Akita; the location sits about 46.1 km from the start of the route and 163 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Akita, Akita, sitting about 6.2 km from the start and 0 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
Distance to the house: 200 m Body length: about 1 m Moved toward the sea
Yurihonjō, Akita
A parent and child were playing on a large tree.
Akita, Akita
Crossed the road from the Akita Country grounds toward the Komachi Stadium side. Body length 1.5 m. 100 m from Komachi Stadium.
Akita, Akita
Around 04:40 on May 16, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted by a man driving through the Komachi Stadium parking lot in Niya-machi, Akita City. The bear moved north, about 1 km from the nearest house; the witness said the bear appeared to have an injured front paw, and the Akita Central Police contacted relevant agencies and are monitoring the area.
Akita, Akita
[Report] At 4:33 AM on April 16, after being discovered on company premises, it moved around the premises and was sighted again on company property (about 200 m from the earlier location). It ran off toward the northeast canal side and its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. It was dragging its right leg.
Akita Terauchi, Akita
[Post] One juvenile bear
Akita Terauchi, Akita
[Post] Witnessed it entering the bushes from the road near Komachi Stadium. Body length about 1 m.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Body length about 1 meter. It went from the road into the brush.
Akita, Akita
Sighted while driving. Left into the brush on the west side. Body length 1 m. 100 m east of Komachi Stadium.
Akita, Akita
[Post] It ran across the yard and headed toward Kappei.
Akita Arayamatsumigaoka-higashicho, Akita
Sighted bears crossing the prefectural road from south to north. Body lengths: 1.0 m and 70 cm. Distance from the building: 5 m.
Akita Arayakatsuhiramachi, Akita
One bear was sighted crossing the municipal road from south to north toward the Omagari River. Body length 1.2 m. Distance from the building: 80 m.
Akita, Akita
It was night so I couldn't see clearly, but a large dark mass ran off toward the mountains.
Yurihonjō Ishiwaki, Akita
[Post] Walking inside the municipal housing complex grounds
Akita, Akita
A 1.5 m long bear was sighted in the municipal housing park. It left heading southeast into the shrubbery. Distance from the building: 15 m.
Akita, Akita
Around 17:35 on the 14th, a man in his 40s at home sighted a bear about 1.5 meters long in a park in Niya-Hinaicho, Akita City. According to the Akita Central Police, the nearest house was about 15 meters away; patrol cars are monitoring the area and residents have been warned.
Akita Arayahinaimachi, Akita
[Report] Entered the No. 2 park within the municipal housing area from the Omoriyama Zoo direction and tried to enter the entrances of buildings 7 and 8 of the municipal housing, but the doors were closed so it could not get in. It saw its reflection in the door, appeared to be startled, stood up, made a U-turn, and headed toward the national highway.
Akita, Akita
It went through the municipal housing grounds and went down to the national highway.
Akita, Akita
Ran off toward the Omoriyama area.
Akita, Akita
On the morning of May 14, 2026, multiple bear sightings were reported around the Nice Arena area in Ishiwaki, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture. Sightings were also reported on the 13th; a bear was seen swimming in the Koyoshi River, and the prefectural police have warned residents to be cautious.
Yurihonjō 北裏地, Akita
Body length: about 1 m Distance to houses: about 30 m
Yurihonjō 片町, Akita
Body length: approximately 1 m Distance to houses: approximately 100 m
Yurihonjō 観音町, Akita
[Post] Sighted from a distance while on a walk
Yurihonjō 北裏地, Akita
Distance to houses: 50 m; Body length: about 1 m
Yurihonjō 北裏地, Akita
[Report] Inside Shoto Park: an adult bear about 1 m (in size)
Yurihonjō 北裏地, Akita
At around 05:15 on May 14, 2026, a man in his 30s walking in a park at Ishiwaki Aza Ishinohana, Yurihonjo City, spotted a bear about 1 meter long. There were also sighting reports in the same area on the 13th, and the prefectural police have warned residents to be cautious.
Yurihonjō 北裏地, Akita
One bear, about 1.0 m. Distance to residences: approximately 200 m. Sighted in Ishiwaki Park ground.
Yurihonjō 巣組, Akita
Bear body length: 1.0 m. Fled from west to east.
Yurihonjō 日役町, Akita
1 bear, approximately 1.0 m
Yurihonjō Ishiwaki, Akita
At around 15:20 on May 13, 2026, a man in his 30s resting in his car sighted a bear about 1 meter long in Yurihonjo City, Ishiwaki, Shimo-Chōronuma. The nearest house was about 20 meters away; the Yurihonjo police patrolled the area by cruiser and warned residents.
Yurihonjō 日役町, Akita
Spotted a bear about 0.5 m in size on the grounds north of the elementary school. Direction of travel unknown. 50 m from the building.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
Around 15:45 on May 11, 2026, a male elementary school student spotted a bear approximately 50 cm long in a grassland in Shōgunno Minami 1-chome, Akita City. The location is about 50 meters from Takashimizu Elementary School, and the local police station has advised residents to be cautious.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
Ran through from the Ushi-no-sawa area toward the Sugi-sawa area.
Akita Koyoaoyagicho, Akita
Distance to houses: 50 m. Body length: about 1 m.
Yurihonjō 荒町, Akita
Distance to the nearest house: 100 m Body length: approximately 1 m
Yurihonjō 荒町, Akita
Distance to the house: 5 m. Body length: approximately 1 m. Went toward the mountain.
Yurihonjō 古川端, Akita
On May 9, 2026 at around 07:30, an woman in her 80s in Tsuchiya, Yurihonjo City, saw a bear approximately 1 meter long on private property; a woman in her 30s driving by reported a similar sighting at the same time. At about 08:30, a man in his 60s spotted a roughly 1-meter bear in a rice field in Sanjo, Yurihonjo City. Police have warned residents to be cautious.
Yurihonjō 古川端, Akita
Distance to houses: 30 m Body length: approximately 1 m
Yurihonjō 古川端, Akita
[Report] Probably a cub. It left the park and ran south.
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
Bear body length: 1.0 m. Fled into the southern forest.
Yurihonjō 二十六木, Akita
A man in his 40s was attacked and injured by a bear in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture. According to reports, this is the first human injury caused by a bear in the prefecture this year.
Yurihonjō 中竪町, Akita
On 2026-05-06, one bear was captured at a supermarket in Akita City.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Around 20:50 on the 5th, a man in his teens resting in a nearby park spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road in Akita City's Niida Kiriage. According to the Akita Central Police Station, the bear was about 10 meters from a house and about 400 meters from Niida Elementary School; the station has warned residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
Sighted a bear on the road. Body length 1 m. Departed toward the rice fields to the east. 10 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
On the morning of May 5, 2026, a man in his 40s performing rice-field patrols in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, was attacked by a bear and injured. Prefectural and city authorities issued a bear-sighting warning and urged residents to be cautious.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
Shortly before 08:30 on the 5th, a man in his 40s who was patrolling rice fields in Higashi-Yuri, Yurihonjo City, was attacked by a bear about 1 m long. He suffered injuries to his face and right arm and was taken to a hospital in Akita City; he was reported conscious during transport.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
In Yurihonjo City (Higashiyuri), a man in his 40s inspecting rice fields was attacked by a bear around 08:20 and sustained injuries to his face and right arm; he was airlifted to a hospital by doctor helicopter. He was conscious and able to speak, and is believed to have run into a nearby house.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
At around 08:15 this morning in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, a 48-year-old man inspecting rice fields was attacked by a bear approximately 1 meter long, suffering injuries to his right face and right arm. He was conscious and able to speak when transported.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
On May 5 in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, a 48-year-old man was attacked by a bear about 1 meter long while in a rice field; he suffered injuries to his face and arm and was taken to hospital. Authorities are patrolling the area, marking this the first human injury in the prefecture this year.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
Was swimming
Akita, Akita
(Post) Was swimming in the river
Akita Kawashiri-Wakabamachi, Akita
Posted: Encountered during a walk. The bear seemed curious and approached the flashy traffic cone to look at it. Afterwards, it ran off into the depths (of the area).
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
[Post]
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
[Post] While driving, a creature that appeared to be a bear crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
Around 10:00 on April 29, 2026, a roughly 1-meter black bear was sighted at a seaside breakwater in Akita City; footage showed it walking while sniffing the ground. A fishing event with many anglers was taking place nearby.
Akita Koyosaiwaicho, Akita
A bear appeared near a breakwater in Akita City, causing alarm among anglers and participants at a nearby fishing event. Sightings were reported repeatedly in the area, raising local concern.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Sighted one bear on the road in front of the entrance. It left toward the south. Body length 1.0 m. Distance from the residence: 5 m.
Akita Arayawariyamamachi, Akita
It tried to cross the Akita South Bypass, attempted to climb over the fence between the two directions of traffic, but gave up and returned toward the sea.
Akita, Akita
While driving from the Honjo direction, it emerged from the brush on the west side and then returned. Body length 1 m. 200 m to the nearest house.
Akita Arayashitakawaramachi, Akita
At around 13:50 on April 28, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the south entrance of the Katsuhira Hamanasu Tunnel on the Akita South Bypass in Arai-machi, Akita City, by a man in his 70s driving by. The sighting location is about 200 meters from Akita Commercial High School and about 300 meters from the nearest house; the Akita Central Police are coordinating with relevant agencies, patrolling the area, and warning residents.
Akita, Akita
[Post] On my way home I heard a cry, and when I turned around I saw a lone bear cub walking by itself.
Akita, Akita
One bear was sighted about 50 meters north of the Momosada Frog statue. Body length 1.5 m. Departed to the southeast. 800 meters to the nearest residence.
Akita, Akita
Entered the grounds of the house at the back
Akita, Akita
One bear was sighted on the municipal road in front of a house. Body length 1.0 m. When approached by a car it departed toward the north. 5 m from a residence.
Akita, Akita
While working in the field, I spotted one bear on the mountainside. Its body length was about 1.5 m. It walked off toward the north.
Akita, Akita
Left the city road north of the shrine, heading from south to north. Body length 1.0 m. 400 m from residences.
Akita, Akita
Body length: 0.8 m Distance to residence: 100 m
Yurihonjō 薬師堂, Akita
[Report] Spotted a bear crossing the river on my commute
Akita Kawashiri-Shinkawamachi, Akita
While walking the dog, I observed one bear approximately 1 m tall in a fallow rice field. It left heading northwest. It was 30 m from a building.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
Around 18:50 on April 26, 2026, a man in his 40s walking in a rice field in Osumiminami 1-chome, Akita City, saw a bear about 1 meter long walking. The sighting was reported to the Akita Central Police Station.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
[Report] Came up from the old rice field in front of the house onto the road, then returned to the old rice field.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
While I was eating in the car, I saw a dark, low shadow/shape.
Akita Arayatorikimachi, Akita
[Report] From the meadow in the area that used to be a cemetery (seaside side), it crossed the road, passed through houses, and headed into the mountains (mountainous area on the bypass road side). A nearby resident witnessed this.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear on the beach. It moved off to the east. Body length: 1 m. Distance from houses: approximately 100 m.
Akita, Akita
At around 10:05 a.m. on April 26, 2026, a man in his 30s on a walk spotted a bear about 1 meter long walking on the coast at Takinoshita, Hamada, Akita City. The nearest house was about 50 meters away; Akita Central Police notified relevant agencies and are patrolling the area by patrol car, warning residents.
Akita, Akita
Shortly after 10:00 on April 26, 2026, one bear was seen walking on the coast at Hamada Takinoshita in Akita City. The sighting was about 50 meters from nearby houses; police are on alert and have urged residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
【Post】
Akita, Akita
I saw it inside the tunnel.
Akita Arayaokitamachi, Akita
On April 25 before 9:00, staff and residents at a nursing home in Akita City spotted a large bear eating grass outside a glass door. The facility secured all exterior windows and closed curtains to protect residents; the bear then moved to the rear of the property and climbed a cliff.
Akita Sanno, Akita
One bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was sighted in the facility parking lot. It left heading north. It was 100 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
On April 25 at about 08:45, a woman in her 40s spotted a bear about 1 meter long near Jinngahara, Hamada, Akita City. On April 26 at about 10:05 a man in his 30s saw another approximately 1-meter bear on the coast at Takinoshita, and the police have issued a warning.
Akita, Akita
Shortly after 08:30 on April 25, 2026, a single bear (estimated 1.3–1.5 m long) appeared on the grounds of the Matsujuen nursing home in Hamada, Akita City and was observed eating grass behind a glass door. The facility secured windows and doors, closed curtains, and switched the automatic entrance to manual operation to protect residents.
Akita, Akita
Found while on a walk. It was playing on the swing.
Akita Arayatorikimachi, Akita
On April 25, 2026, a single bear was filmed eating grass inside the grounds of a nursing home in Akita City, seen through a glass door. Employees reported being frightened.
Akita Sanno, Akita
I was walking in the forest near the parking lot fence. Probably a cub.
Akita Arayatorikimachi, Akita
One bear sighted on the road west of Hongyo-ji Temple. Body length 1.5 m. Departed to the north. 10 m from a house.
Akita, Akita
At around 07:40 on the 24th, a man driving a car spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long on a city road in Shimohama Nagahama Arazato-ya, Akita City. According to the Akita Central Police, the nearest house was about 10 meters away, and the police are urging residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
Walked toward the rice fields. Thought to be a cub.
Akita Niida-Konakajima, Akita
[Posted] Near the university
Yurihonjō Kawaguchi, Akita
I was watching the meteor shower when I heard a rustling from the drainage ditch. A large black bear ran by, and what looked like a cub followed. I was startled and called out, and the bear turned and looked back at us. Then it ran off to the south. It appeared to have crossed the road, and it’s possible it’s hiding on someone’s property. Be cautious of your surroundings when going toward the rice fields.
Akita Narayama-Jonanshinmachi, Akita
A bear-like animal was sighted. One bear about 1 m. It moved toward Senshu Park. About 40 m from nearby buildings.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 18:50 on April 22, 2026, a man in his 30s spotted a bear about 1 meter long on a stone wall in Senshu Park in central Akita City. Police arrived but the bear had already disappeared; Meitoku Elementary School was about 40 meters away, and the Akita Central Police urged nearby residents and schools to be cautious.
Akita Senshu-kubotamachi, Akita
On April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted in central Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The bear was reported near Meitoku Elementary School and moved off toward Senshu Park.
Akita, Akita
A bear was sighted on the road on the west side of Akita Technical High School's ground. Body length 1.0 m. It left heading west. 30 m from the school ground.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 14:15 on April 21, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the west side of the Akita Technical High School ground in Hodono Hatcho, Akita City. The witness was a female student (middle-school-aged/teen), the bear then moved toward a residential area, and police have been patrolling the area and issuing warnings.
Akita Izumihigashimachi, Akita
In Akita Prefecture a police officer was reported injured after being attacked by a bear, and a woman's body was found nearby. Sightings of so‑called "spring bears" have surged after hibernation: as of 21 April at 21:00 there were about 200 reports in the prefecture, and experts say bears are waking earlier and many individuals are larger than usual.
Akita Sanno, Akita
[Post] Spotted a bear about 0.8 m tall in the grove in front of the apartment
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
[Post] Found scattered droppings every 5 meters along the village path.
Akita Arayahiyoshimachi, Akita
[Post]
Yurihonjō 山田, Akita
[Post] Footprints Found
Akita Arayayutakamachi, Akita
[Post] There were bear-like footprints in the field
Akita Arayahiyoshimachi, Akita
Witnessed a bear in a vacant lot. Size unknown. It left heading north. About 5 meters from a residence.
Akita Niida-Midoricho, Akita
In a residential area of Ushijima Higashi, Akita City, a security camera recorded a bear running across the road at around 05:42 on April 19; about 15 seconds later a pedestrian appeared, creating a near-collision situation. Sightings have increased across the prefecture in April, but no human injuries have been reported so far.
Akita Narayama-Jonanmachi, Akita
On April 19, 2026 at around 05:40, a security camera at a residence in Ushijima Higashi, Akita City captured footage of a bear about 1 meter long walking through a residential area. The same day, a man walking near JR Ugo-Ushijima Station also spotted the bear, and police have urged caution in the Ushijima Higashi area.
Akita Ushijimahigashi 5-chome, Akita
Sighted a bear approximately 0.5 m in size on the road. It left heading north. 5 m from a residence.
Akita Ushijimahigashi 5-chome, Akita
[Post] Entered the parking area of a residence
Akita Osumi 1-chome, Akita
Sighted a bear approximately 1.0 m in size on the road. It departed southeast. 5 m from a house.
Akita Osumi 1-chome, Akita
[Report] Ran through the intersection heading toward the Akita Bank Oroshimachi branch
Akita Barajima 7-chome, Akita
A bear was sighted on the road. Size approximately 1.0 m. It moved off toward the south. 3 m from a house.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
[Report] Came out from near the apartment parking lot, walked to partway along the sidewalk, then turned back into the bushes.
Akita, Akita
It ran from the riverside toward the residential area.
Akita Barajima 6-chome, Akita
Witnessed a bear moving north from the riverbed area while driving on the road. Size approximately 1.0 m. 30 m from houses.
Akita Barajima 7-chome, Akita
It ran out from the apartment parking lot onto the road, ran in front of my car, and went into the former Jujo Golf Practice Range site.
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
Sighted a bear on the road. Size about 0.8 m. It then walked off to the east. 10 m from a house.
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
Spotted a bear approximately 1.5 m in size on the roadway. It then moved east. 5 meters from a residence.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
Posted: It was captured on the security camera.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
Observed a bear moving from the southwest to the northwest within the residence. Size about 1.5 m. 3 m from a dwelling.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
Post: Police were broadcasting and going around telling people to refrain from going outside because a bear had appeared.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
It came walking from the direction of the FamilyMart and went into the grassy area.
Akita Arayahiyoshimachi, Akita
On the evening of April 18, 2026, a home security camera in Akitashi, Arayamotomachi recorded a bear about 1 meter long walking on the property. Sightings were reported nearby and the filmer submitted the information to the prefectural bear information map (Kuma-das).
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
While driving on the national highway, I observed one bear crossing the road from west to east. Size approximately 1.0 m. 50 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
While driving, a bear about 1 m in total length was spotted walking on the sidewalk. It then walked into the bushes.
Akita, Akita
A 70 cm bear was sighted on the road. It then left heading north. 10 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
A bear approximately 1.0 m in size was sighted on the road. It then left heading north. 10 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
A 1.0-m bear was sighted in the facility parking lot. It moved off toward the brush on the south side. It was 10 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Observed one bear approximately 80 cm in size alongside the road. Direction of departure unknown. 250 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
(Report) About 1 meter long. Crossed the road and entered the brush.
Akita, Akita
While heading toward Route 7, it crossed the road from left to right.
Akita, Akita
Peak activity at 18:00 with 15 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 129 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 32 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 18 hours ago near Yurihonjō, Akita; the location sits about 46.1 km from the start of the route and 163 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 18:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 46.4 km route from Akita to Yurihonjo crosses Akita. Over the past 30 days, 129 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 32 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 18 hours ago near Yurihonjō, Akita; the location sits about 46.1 km from the start of the route and 163 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Akita, Akita, sitting about 6.2 km from the start and 0 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
