This 342 km route from Annaka to Yamagata crosses Gunma, Gifu, and Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 28 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Kiso, Nagano; the location sits about 178.0 km from the start of the route and 512 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 6 days ago at Tsumagoi Ozasa, Gunma, sitting about 66.6 km from the start and 2 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
7 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Gunma, Gifu, Nagano.
It was watching us from a distance along the Apt Trail.
Annaka, Gunma
Karuizawa Town in Kitasaku District has temporarily shifted its policy from releasing captured bears after 'learning' to euthanizing them for a limited period. The change responds to repeated human injuries and appearances of bears in residential areas across the prefecture and concerns that bears' wide-ranging movements could cause harm to neighboring municipalities.
Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano
Size: Adult
Karuizawa, Nagano
Near Megane Bridge, walking on the slope along the national highway. Estimated size about 150–170 cm. A clean black body; I could even hear the sound of it crunching fallen leaves.
Annaka, Gunma
Size: Unknown
Kiso, Nagano
Size: Juvenile
Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano
Four chickens kept at a residence in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, were found dead and are believed to have been attacked by a bear. Around the Nagara River in the city, a resident filmed one bear on May 1, and the city has stepped up warnings.
Seki 西本郷, Gifu
Tsumagoi, Gunma
Size: Adult
Shiojiri, Nagano
Tsumagoi Ozasa, Gunma
Tsumagoi Ozasa, Gunma
On May 1 in Seki City, of six chickens kept at a residence four were found dead in the yard and two were missing. The carcasses were gone the next day, bear tracks were found nearby, and since bear sightings increased from April 28 to May 2 the city has set traps and posted signs to warn residents.
Seki 西本郷, Gifu
Around 15:00 on April 30, a single adult Asian black bear of about 1 meter in length was sighted near the Nagara River right bank by the Kose Ukai fishing ground in Seki City Ikejiri. On May 1, four of six chickens kept at a nearby house were found dead with bite marks, and bear tracks were discovered in woodland about 200 meters from the house.
Seki, Gifu
Tsumagoi, Gunma
Tsumagoi, Gunma
In Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, multiple bear sightings have occurred since the end of last month, and damage to chickens has been confirmed. The city set up box traps together with the local hunters' association and is urging residents to be cautious.
Seki 西本郷, Gifu
Tsumagoi Omae, Gunma
Tsumagoi, Gunma
Tsumagoi, Gunma
Tsumagoi, Gunma
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Seba, Nagano
A bear was sighted near Gifu Family Park. Gifu Family Park will be temporarily closed for a while.
Gifu 出屋敷, Gifu
At around 07:00 on April 23, 2026, one bear was sighted near Gifu Family Park in Kitano-kita, Gifu City. The city and police have been patrolling the area, and the park was closed temporarily until safety can be confirmed.
Gifu 北野北, Gifu
Size: juvenile
Kiso, Nagano
On April 23 a resident in Kitano-kita, Gifu City, reported sighting a single bear-like animal, and the city temporarily closed Gifu Family Park. The park reopened on April 29, but some playground equipment and mountain walking trails remain closed.
Gifu 北野北, Gifu
At around 11:40 on April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted in Shiikura, Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture. The city urged witnesses not to approach the bear and to report sightings to the city office or Yamagata Police Station.
Yamagata 椎倉, Gifu
Around 10:00 on April 21, 2026, a bear approximately 80–100 cm long was sighted near Sakurao Elementary School in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture. Students were escorted to school by guardians, police cars patrolled the area, and the hunters' association set box traps as a countermeasure.
Yamagata 伊佐美, Gifu
On April 21, 2026, a bear about 80 cm long was spotted near an elementary school in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture; parents accompanied students to school and vigilance increased. The sighting was reported around 7:30 a.m.
Yamagata 高木, Gifu
A bear was sighted near Gifu Family Park. Gifu Family Park will be temporarily closed for a while.
Gifu 出屋敷, Gifu
At around 07:00 on April 23, 2026, one bear was sighted near Gifu Family Park in Kitano-kita, Gifu City. The city and police have been patrolling the area, and the park was closed temporarily until safety can be confirmed.
Gifu 北野北, Gifu
On April 23 a resident in Kitano-kita, Gifu City, reported sighting a single bear-like animal, and the city temporarily closed Gifu Family Park. The park reopened on April 29, but some playground equipment and mountain walking trails remain closed.
Gifu 北野北, Gifu
At around 11:40 on April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted in Shiikura, Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture. The city urged witnesses not to approach the bear and to report sightings to the city office or Yamagata Police Station.
Yamagata 椎倉, Gifu
Around 10:00 on April 21, 2026, a bear approximately 80–100 cm long was sighted near Sakurao Elementary School in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture. Students were escorted to school by guardians, police cars patrolled the area, and the hunters' association set box traps as a countermeasure.
Yamagata 伊佐美, Gifu
On April 21, 2026, a bear about 80 cm long was spotted near an elementary school in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture; parents accompanied students to school and vigilance increased. The sighting was reported around 7:30 a.m.
Yamagata 高木, Gifu
A bear was sighted near Gifu Family Park. Gifu Family Park will be temporarily closed for a while.
Gifu 出屋敷, Gifu
At around 07:00 on April 23, 2026, one bear was sighted near Gifu Family Park in Kitano-kita, Gifu City. The city and police have been patrolling the area, and the park was closed temporarily until safety can be confirmed.
Gifu 北野北, Gifu
On April 23 a resident in Kitano-kita, Gifu City, reported sighting a single bear-like animal, and the city temporarily closed Gifu Family Park. The park reopened on April 29, but some playground equipment and mountain walking trails remain closed.
Gifu 北野北, Gifu
At around 11:40 on April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted in Shiikura, Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture. The city urged witnesses not to approach the bear and to report sightings to the city office or Yamagata Police Station.
Yamagata 椎倉, Gifu
Around 10:00 on April 21, 2026, a bear approximately 80–100 cm long was sighted near Sakurao Elementary School in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture. Students were escorted to school by guardians, police cars patrolled the area, and the hunters' association set box traps as a countermeasure.
Yamagata 伊佐美, Gifu
On April 21, 2026, a bear about 80 cm long was spotted near an elementary school in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture; parents accompanied students to school and vigilance increased. The sighting was reported around 7:30 a.m.
Yamagata 高木, Gifu
Peak activity at 7:00 with 4 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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Over the past 30 days, 28 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Kiso, Nagano; the location sits about 178.0 km from the start of the route and 512 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 7:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 342 km route from Annaka to Yamagata crosses Gunma, Gifu, and Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 28 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Kiso, Nagano; the location sits about 178.0 km from the start of the route and 512 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 6 days ago at Tsumagoi Ozasa, Gunma, sitting about 66.6 km from the start and 2 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
