This 4.4 km route from Aomori to Aomori crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 5 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 9 hours ago near Aomori Uramachi, Aomori; the location sits about 53 m from the start of the route and 3.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Aomori Kobata, Aomori, sitting about 3.3 km from the start and 1.3 km off the route line.
With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
On the afternoon of May 15, 2026, a bear entered the Cross Tower A-Bay commercial complex (Nagasima 1-chome) in central Aomori City and remained inside for several hours. Police cordoned off the area and set box traps; around 18:10 local hunters fired and killed one bear. Multiple sightings were reported across the city that day, and a bear was also seen about 300 meters away in a parking lot, possibly a different individual.
Aomori Uramachi, Aomori
A bear is believed to be occupying the first floor of a mixed-use commercial building in central Aomori City, leaving more than 10 people (patrons of a pharmacy and a hotel) trapped. A bear was also sighted at a parking lot about 300 meters away around the same time, possibly a different individual, and Aomori City is considering emergency shooting to eliminate the very high risk of human injury.
Aomori Nishitaki, Aomori
Shortly after 11:00 AM on May 15, 2026, one bear was sighted northeast of Ōno Elementary School in Aoba 1-chome, Aomori City.
Aomori Ono, Aomori
Around 05:00 on May 15, a single bear of unknown length was sighted in Nagashima, Aomori City, moving west from near Nagashima Elementary School and running along the national road from Hirota Shrine toward the Yanagi-cho intersection. No damage has been reported, and city staff and police are patrolling the area to maintain vigilance.
Aomori Ono, Aomori
Before 21:00 on May 14, 2026, a roughly 1-meter-long bear was seen entering a residential property in Aomori City's Nami-dachi Maeda area. Sightings also occurred at a convenience store parking lot, in the Nami-dachi area, and in the Nagashima area near the prefectural office; the city has set up a response headquarters and is considering switching to emergency shooting.
Aomori Namidate, Aomori
Around 16:00 on May 7, bear-like footprints were found in Saihatake (幸畑), Aomori City. No damage has been confirmed; the site is southeast of the Hakkoda Mountain Snow March Disaster Museum, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Kobata, Aomori
Around 12:15 PM on April 22, a motorist spotted one juvenile bear near the Aomori Expressway in Suwasawa, Aomori City. No injuries or damage were reported.
Aomori Suwanosawa, Aomori
Peak activity at 15:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 5 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 9 hours ago near Aomori Uramachi, Aomori; the location sits about 53 m from the start of the route and 3.0 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 15:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 4.4 km route from Aomori to Aomori crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 5 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 9 hours ago near Aomori Uramachi, Aomori; the location sits about 53 m from the start of the route and 3.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Aomori Kobata, Aomori, sitting about 3.3 km from the start and 1.3 km off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
