This 69.8 km route from Aomori to Oirase crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 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 33 m from the start of the route and 4.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Towada Nishi-jurokubancho, Aomori, sitting about 52.9 km from the start and 226 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
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
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
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 17:00 on 2026-05-05, a parent-and-cub bear appeared in the precincts (cemetery) of Ganjoji temple in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture; people visiting the graves sighted the bears. Three people sheltered in a nearby hall, police arrived about ten minutes after the report, and the temple posted warnings asking visitors to take offerings home.
Hachinohe Ichikawamachi, Aomori
At around 08:00 on May 4, 2026, one bear was sighted near the Yonezawa Community Center in Shimoyoshida Yonezawa, Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Rokunohe Shimoyoshita, Aomori
There was one in an open area a short distance down a forestry road. It was sniffing around the ground, so maybe it was hungry?
Towada, Aomori
Around 07:00 on April 24, 2026, the town announced that a single juvenile bear was sighted on the road west of Tatenodai housing complex in Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. No injuries were reported.
Rokunohe Inuotose, Aomori
On April 24, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The article did not provide a detailed location or time of the sighting.
Towada Nishi-nibancho, Aomori
On April 20, 2026, a single bear approximately 1.0 m long was sighted around 05:40 in Aisaka Shirakami, Towada City. Around 13:30 the same day, a bear about 80 cm long was also observed in the same area (city announcement).
Towada Nishi-jurokubancho, Aomori
Witnessed by several people. It appears to be a cub.
Gonohe, Aomori
A bear was sighted in Towada City, Sanbongi Shimokawahara on April 19, 2026 at about 10:45 AM. Then on April 20 at around 1:30 PM a single adult bear about 80 cm long was confirmed in Towada City, Aisaka Shirakami.
Towada, Aomori
At around 13:00 on April 18, 2026, the town reported a single bear approximately 1.20–1.45 meters long was sighted near the Narita rice mill in the Kodaira district of Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Rokunohe Kodaira, Aomori
Peak activity at 5:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 3 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 33 m from the start of the route and 4.5 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 5:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 69.8 km route from Aomori to Oirase crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 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 33 m from the start of the route and 4.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Towada Nishi-jurokubancho, Aomori, sitting about 52.9 km from the start and 226 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
