Saves as a new trip plan. The original stays as-is.
This 441 km route runs from Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center to Kotodai Park, passing through Aomori, Akita, Miyagi, and Iwate. In the past 30 days, 500 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 130 of them. The latest sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Akita Tegata-Yamanakamachi, Akita.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
11 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Aomori, Akita, Miyagi, Iwate.
A bear about the size of a cub was seen walking.
Akita Tegata-Yamanakamachi, Akita
A bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted around 6:00 PM beside the guardrail on National Route 7 in Tsurugasaka, Aomori City.
Aomori Tsurugasaka, Aomori
Ran from the road to the back of the house and headed into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
A bear was sighted in Tsurugasaka, Aomori City.
Aomori Tsurugasaka, Aomori
A 1.0‑m bear was sighted on the roadway. It then moved away into the woods to the west. It was 400 m from the nearest building.
Akita, Akita
While mowing, I spotted one bear about 1.0 m in body length. It moved northwest.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawatsukinoki, Akita
One bear approximately 1.0 m in length sighted; moving south.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawafunabashi, Akita
One bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was sighted. It was reported to have moved north.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawatsukinoki, Akita
Two bears approximately 0.8 m and 0.5 m in length were sighted on a farm road near Kusaochi Shrine.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawatsukinoki, Akita
Around 12:35 on 2026-05-25, a bear was seen moving in Showa Toyokawa Tsukinoki Omiya, Katagami City, Akita Prefecture.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawafunabashi, Akita
On the morning of 2026-05-25, a bear was sighted in Showa Toyokawa Tsukinokizawa, Katagami, Akita.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawatsukinoki, Akita
[Report] While driving on National Route 285 toward Kamikoani, I almost ran over a bear near the center line but was able to avoid it.
Gojome 富津内富田, Akita
[Report] Observed two individual bears remaining on the roadway at the rear of a line of vehicles stopped at a traffic signal.
Katagami Showa-Midarebashi, Akita
Driver sighted one bear crossing the road (body length 50 cm) / direction of travel: west
Odate, Akita
[Post] The moment the carcass of a wild boar that had been floating in the pond washed up on the shore, a bear emerged from the undergrowth and was devouring it.
Akita, Akita
One bear sighted on the west side grounds of Meio High School. Body length 1.0 m. Departed into the southern thicket. Distance from school building: 30 m.
Akita, Akita
A passerby sighted one bear, approximately 70 cm. It was 10 m from Nissan Motor Company. The bear departed toward the Terauchi direction.
Akita Yabase-Miwacho, Akita
(Posted) Appears to be a cub; ran off toward the New National Highway direction.
Akita Yabase-Shinkawamukai, Akita
While traveling from Toraike Katagami toward Prefectural Route Oga-Shōwa Iidagawa, one bear about 0.7 m in body length was observed. It moved in the direction of the western woodland.
Katagami Iitagawa-Shimoabukawa, Akita
Observed while driving. Spotted one bear approximately 50 cm in body length crossing a T-intersection from north to south. It left heading into the woods to the south. Nearest building: 300 meters away.
Akita, Akita
While driving on the Akita Road, three bears — a mother and two cubs — were walking in the rice fields near the Isedotai archaeological site.
Kitaakita, Akita
Around 8:00 PM on 2026-05-22, a man walking on the Akita Tenno Line (Shin-kokudo) in Yabase, Akita City, spotted a bear about 70 cm long. The bear went north.
Akita Yabase-Dojonumamachi, Akita
Around 18:40 on May 21, a woman in her 60s at home spotted a bear about 1 meter long in a field in Takasaki, Gojome-machi, Akita Prefecture (Takasaki aza Suzumedate Shimokawara). According to the Gojome police, the bear was about 10 meters from a nearby house, and the police have warned residents to be cautious.
Gojome 字上町, Akita
A bear was sighted in Takasaki Tanaka, Gojome Town.
Gojome 字上町, Akita
[Post]
Gojome 字上町, Akita
[Post] In Itazawa area, mountain side of Hiketsuki River
Odate Itazawa, Akita
On May 21 at around 12:30, a report was made of a parent-and-child bear in an apple orchard south of Taketate Elementary School in Hirakawa City. City staff patrolling the area sighted a bear-like animal at about 13:30; police and the hunting association conducted searches with drones but could not confirm the bear. The city halted school activities and will set a box trap at 09:00 on May 22.
Hirakawa Okidate, Aomori
I witnessed a single bear about 1 meter in length moving from the municipal road toward Yonaizawa Shrine. It came to within about 5 meters of a nearby house.
Kitaakita Yonaizawa, Akita
At around 11:40 a.m. on May 21, 2026, a man passing by spotted a bear about 1 meter long in roadside grass in Kurozawa, Yonaizawa, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture. According to the Kitaakita Police, the nearest house is about 20 meters away, and the police have warned residents to be careful.
Kitaakita Yonaizawa, Akita
A 1-meter-long bear was sighted on a city road, about 20 meters from a house.
Kitaakita Yonaizawa, Akita
It was crossing the road from under the elevated highway and eating grass in the woods.
Ikawa 坂本, Akita
A bear was sighted in Okidate Miyazaki, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hirakawa Okidate, Aomori
A bear about 1 meter tall was walking on the road. Startled by a car, it ran off toward the railroad tracks.
Katagami Showa-Okubo, Akita
[Post]
Kitaakita Komori, Akita
While driving on the expressway, I encountered a bear cub on the road about 200 meters before Kosaka Parking Area. I slowed down and honked, and it ran into the bushes on the left. The mother bear was not seen. I reported it to the police car that was ahead.
Kosaka, Akita
[Report] Adult bear. Went in the direction of Hoshitsuji Shrine.
Akita Hodono-Torimachi, Akita
[Post] Wandering around the house while passing by in a car
Kitaakita Missato, Akita
Report: While I was walking, there was a bear about 140 cm tall in the forest underbrush.
Akita Senshu-meitokumachi, Akita
[Post] In the bushes beside the cafe
Akita Omachi, Akita
Moved through the back of the residential property toward Izu Shrine, then relocated to the forested hills to the north.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawakamiabukawa, Akita
[Post]
Akita Izumi, Akita
[Report] While commuting from the Sanno direction toward Akita Station, I saw a bear in a parking lot. It was a single cub, about 70 cm long.
Akita Omachi, Akita
A bear was sighted in Oomachi 1-chome, Akita City.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
Report: After getting off at Izumi-Sotokawashi Station and exiting toward the Sotokawashi side, there was a bear in the park on the left. Its eyes were shining in the dark. Body length unknown.
Akita, Akita
[Post] I was running along the riverbank.
Ikawa 葹田, Akita
While running, I suddenly saw a bear about 0.5 m long come out onto the road right in front of me. It left heading toward the north side of Takao High School main gate.
Kitaakita Asahicho, Akita
At around 19:20 on the 19th, a man in his 40s who was running spotted a single bear about 50 cm long on a sidewalk in Isecho, Kitaakita City. The nearest house was about 5 meters away; Akita Hokutaka High School and the Kitaakita City Hall are nearby, and the police have warned residents to be cautious.
Kitaakita Isecho, Akita
Sighted near Mutsumi Landscaping and Civil Engineering
Katagami, Akita
[Post] It was on the road while heading from Sannō toward the station. It was near a daycare center.
Akita Hodono-Torimachi, Akita
[Report] Was running in the direction of travel on the highway, then made a U‑turn and started running off again.
Gojome 浦横町, Akita
It was a cub about 5–60 cm. It was walking along, but when I rang the bear bell I had, it ran off toward the station.
Akita, Akita
[Post] A limping bear climbed up the hill behind the houses.
Akita Izumikamanomachi, Akita
[Post] Spotted walking on the expressway
Gojome 大川西野, Akita
[Post] A young bear about 50 cm crossed the road.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
One bear (1.5 m) sighted near the highway interchange
Hachirogata Kawasaki, Akita
I saw a black object larger than a dog. It went into the trees near a house. Its movements were fairly slow, and it appeared to have a problem with its right leg.
Akita, Akita
[Report] A young bear was in the rental parking lot next to the 7-Eleven.
Akita Hodono-Torimachi, Akita
Sighted behind a shop on Torimachi Street.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
Sighted a bear crossing the road from south to north. Body length approximately 1 m. 150 m from the nearest building.
Akita, Akita
A cub was on the riverbank's edge.
Akita Omachi, Akita
[Post] There was something like a bear in the company's grove. I was too scared to look properly, but it was not a dog. Bigger than a dog, about just under 1 meter.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
[Post] I went to clean the trash area and saw something like a bear in the park at the back, got scared and ran away. It climbed over the fence toward the Leopalace side and disappeared. It had an injured leg.
Akita, Akita
[Report] During pick-up/drop-off, it was at the corner of the house. It looked like a bear with bad legs. Body length about 1 m.
Akita, Akita
A single juvenile bear was in the shrine grounds. About 70–90 cm tall. Not as tall as 1 m. It was in the shrubbery at the edge of the wooded area, then walked eastward.
Akita Omachi, Akita
[Post] While riding on the bicycle path I saw a black object at the roadside. It was limping on its right leg. A bear from the day before yesterday?
Akita, Akita
[Report] A bear cub was walking along the river. It walked in the direction of Chiaki (Senkyu) Park.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
[Post] On the way back from fishing I found something like a bear in the grass. I think its body length was about 70 cm. When I honked the horn it ran away.
Akita Omachi, Akita
On the way back from the Kawabata area, I saw one young bear. Its body length was about 70–80 centimeters. It was alone in an open space that looked like a parking lot.
Akita Omachi, Akita
In the early morning of May 19, 2026, a roughly 70-cm bear was sighted in front of Neburi Nagashi-kan in Omachi, Akita City at about 02:30. At 09:50 a similarly sized bear-like animal was seen near a nearby parking lot. Subsequent sightings were reported along the river, at a shrine, and near a supermarket, and authorities say the bear may still be in the area.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
On 2026-05-19 a bear was sighted on the Akita Expressway near Gojome Town; when a driver slowed down the bear, startled, ran alongside the car. The driver said that if it had been dark they might have collided, and prefectural police report there have been three vehicle collisions with bears this year.
Gojome Noda, Akita
One bear about 1.5 m long was seen crossing the prefectural road from south to north.
Kitaakita Shimosugi, Akita
A member of the public traveling on a city road sighted one bear (body length unknown) in the bushes / direction of movement unknown / 250 m west of Hokuyo Junior High School.
Odate, Akita
[Post] While walking from Izumi-Sotoasahikawa Station I saw a black moving object. Larger than a dog, about 1.2 m. It looked like its front leg was injured.
Akita, Akita
Around 04:20 on May 18, a black bear about 1.2 meters long was sighted near JR Izumigaoka-Akihikawa Station in Sotoasahikawa, Akita City; it appeared to have an injured front paw. On May 17 in the same area, a bear believed to have an injured front paw entered a private property, and police responded by setting off firecrackers.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed leaving the road heading north while in motion. Body length 1 m. 10–20 m to buildings.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While walking, I saw a bear moving from the mountain toward the Seria area. It appeared to be dragging one of its legs as if injured. It might be the same individual as the one seen around 5 p.m.
Akita, Akita
At around 17:45 on May 17, one bear was sighted on the grounds of a private home in Gaikasugawa, Sango-dena, Akita City. The Akita Rinko Police Station has not confirmed whether the bear left and is continuing to monitor the area, saying the bear may still be on the property.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Passing through Sotoasahikawa Anpasu. Came out in front of a car, went through the irrigation channel behind Maruhan Sotoasahikawa, crossed from Akigin Sotoasahikawa branch toward the dentist opposite, entered the grounds of the house behind the dentist, and is believed to still be on that property. Appears to have an injured right front leg and was limping while running. Body length about 1.2 m.
Akita, Akita
Crossed the road toward the north side (the wholesale market side). Body length about 1.2 meters.
Akita, Akita
Posted: Walked along what looked like a waterway/irrigation canal next to the currency exchange
Akita, Akita
Post: About 80 cm. Right front paw injured.
Akita, Akita
Crossed from the southwest to the northeast side of the intersection. Body length 1 m. 10 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
It was limping, about 1 meter.
Akita, Akita
[Post] A bear crossed the new national road near Kusautsugawa.
Akita, Akita
A police officer driving by witnessed it running across the road from west to east. Body length 1 m. 5 meters from a private house.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
[Report] Passed across the garden embankment from west to east. Body length about 1 meter from snout to tail. Caution needed as this was in a residential area.
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
Witnessed by visitors at Gokoku Shrine. Left toward the east side of the shrine. Body length 1.5 m. Distance from buildings unknown.
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
At around 13:15 on the 17th, a man visiting the prefectural Gokoku Shrine in Terauchi Ohata, Akita City, saw a bear approximately 1.5 meters long. The bear moved eastward, was about 20 meters from the nearest building, and the Akita Rinko Police are patrolling the area by patrol car and warning residents.
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
[Post]
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
[Post]
Akita Terauchi-Yakeyama, Akita
[Report] While walking on the nature observation park’s boardwalk, I saw a bear in the brush at the forest edge about 50 meters away. It noticed me and went into the woods.
Gojome 富津内下山内, Akita
A single bear is believed to be holed up inside the Cross Tower A-Bay building in Aomori City. Police and members of a hunters' association are surrounding the site and conducting capture operations, and a box trap has been brought in.
Aomori Uramachi, Aomori
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel: southwest / approximately 20 m to the nearest facility
Odate Ikenai, Akita
I saw a 60 cm-long bear dash across a farm road and enter the brush at the edge of the mountain.
Gojome 馬場目, 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
At least one cub (young bear) entered inside.
Aomori Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori
Around 15:30 on the 15th, a juvenile bear was sighted entering a mixed commercial facility (including a hotel) in Nagashima, Aomori City, and is believed to be holed up inside. Police, city officials and members of the hunters' association have gathered at the scene.
Aomori Ono, Aomori
At around 15:30 on May 15, 2026, a bear entered the first floor of a building in Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori City, prompting people inside to evacuate to upper floors. Police and government hunters carried out an emergency shooting and culled one adult male bear about 1 meter long.
Aomori Ono, 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
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 sighting report was posted to Aomori Prefecture's bear log.
Aomori Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori
A bear holed up in the Cross Tower A-Bay in central Aomori City, people stranded on upper floors According to Aomori City and the police, at around 3:30 p.m. today a single bear was sighted in Nagashima, Aomori City. The scene is the Cross Tower A-Bay, and at least one cub is said to have entered the building. The bear is still believed to be holed up inside.
Aomori Nagashima 1-chome, 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
[Post]
Kitaakita Kamisugi, 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
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
On May 15 between about 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., multiple sightings of an Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) were reported near the Aomori Prefectural Office in Aomori City. The city has warned residents via social media and is maintaining vigilance while considering emergency shooting operations.
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
At around 19:50 on May 14, 2026, a single cub was sighted on the grounds of a convenience store in Satomi, Aomori City. No damage was reported, and the city urged nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Namidate, Aomori
Around 19:00 on May 14, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Gobommatsu Hirano, Namioka, Aomori City, crossing Prefectural Road No. 27 (Aomori-Namioka Line) from south to north. No damage was reported.
Aomori, Aomori
Before 8:00 a.m. today, one Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) was sighted near the prefectural art museum and the Sannai-Maruyama ruins in Aomori City. City staff and the hunters' association inspected the site but found no tracks or other traces; the Sannai-Maruyama ruins have posted notices to inform visitors of the sighting and warn them to be cautious.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
At 7:30 AM on May 14, 2026, one bear was sighted near the Prefectural Art Museum in Yasuda, Aomori City, the city reported. No other reports of damage were mentioned.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
At 7:30 AM on May 14, 2026, the city announced that one bear was sighted near the Aomori Prefectural Museum in Yasuda, Aomori City.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
Around 7:30 a.m. on May 14, 2026, one Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted between the Prefectural Art Museum and the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site in Yasuda, Aomori City. No injuries or damage were reported.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
On the morning of the 14th, one bear was sighted on a road near the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site in Aomori City, and police conducted patrols. The center that manages the site has urged visitors to be cautious of bears.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
At around 04:14 on May 14, 2026, a single Asiatic black bear (about 1 meter long) was sighted on a farm road in Yamamoto, Takehana, Kuroishi City; the location is roughly 200 meters northeast of the Tohoku Expressway Takadate PA (upbound), and the bear fled toward the highway. No damage was reported.
Kuroishi 大字竹鼻, Aomori
At Kenmin Seikyo Ayamekan in Sannai, Aomori City, the automatic entrance doors were switched to manual on May 14, 2026, following bear sightings. The store plans to install doorknobs and has placed bear-prevention goods inside to prepare for possible incidents.
Aomori Namidate, Aomori
A driver traveling on National Route 7 observed one bear (body length 1 m) in a rice field / direction of travel unknown / 100 m from the nearest residence
Odate Nagasaka, Akita
A cub was discovered in the woods at the back (rear of the property).
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
On May 13, 2026, between 06:55 and 07:50, four bears were sighted in Aomori City's Namioka area. Sightings occurred near the Michi-no-Eki Namioka Apple Hill (on a national road), a road in Namioaka Sugisawa Kamifukuda, behind The Big Namioka store, and a path beside a residential garden in Inoue; several bears were about 1 meter long and no damage was reported.
Aomori, Aomori
[Post] While returning home, I was running toward the park.
Akita, Akita
Attempted to cross the Yokoyama-Kanaashi line, but there were many cars, and it kept coming in and out of the bushes.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Footprints crossing the road from the east
Kosaka, Akita
A passerby sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) crossing the road from east to west and leaving the area.
Odate Yachimachi-ushiro, Akita
On May 12 in Higashinozoe, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, one Asiatic black bear was captured in a box trap. The captured bear was a female about 1 meter long and weighing about 60 kg, estimated to be 3–4 years old with no history of giving birth. This was the first capture in the city this year.
Kuroishi 大字東野添, Aomori
It was sprinting through the field.
Akita, Akita
[Post] I heard a noise outside, and when I looked I saw two bears.
Akita, Akita
Around 18:00 on May 11, one Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted beside a guardrail along Route 7 in Tsurugasaka, Aomori City. No damage was reported, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Tsurugasaka, Aomori
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
A passerby sighted one bear (body length approx. 1.0 m) / direction of travel: north / about 300 m south of Shimokawa River Middle School
Odate, Akita
[Report] While walking my dog, it crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Ran from the residential area toward the rice field
Odate Negeto, Akita
At around 13:45 on May 10, the city reported that a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in an apple orchard east of Yoshinoda Shintameike in the Yoshinoda Nikogesawa area of Namioka, Aomori City.
Aomori, Aomori
On the afternoon of May 9, 2026, a bear was repeatedly sighted in rice fields near Hirakawa City's Osaki-Kidoguchi area and near Hiraga Higashi Elementary School. The municipality authorized an emergency gun hunt, and at around 18:30 hunters killed one adult male Asian black bear (about 1.5 m long, approximately 80 kg). No injuries were reported.
Hirakawa Osaki, Aomori
There were two on the tree and one under the tree.
Katagami, Akita
Ran through from the Ushi-no-sawa area toward the Sugi-sawa area.
Akita Koyoaoyagicho, Akita
A bear about 120 cm long walked from the athletic area, came up to look around, walked a little, then went back. It was about 20 meters away.
Akita, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length about 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 300 m west of Odate Police Station
Odate, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
[Post] While driving by, it was attempting to climb the school fence
Akita Iijima-Bunkyocho, Akita
[Report] Probably a cub. It left the park and ran south.
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
【Post】
Odate Katayama, Akita
Seen by nearby residents / Direction of movement unknown / About 250 m south of Katsura Sakura High School
Odate, Akita
Odate, Akita
Crossed the road and went toward Katsura/Sakura High School
Odate, Akita
Odate, Akita
I went outside to take a walk and saw a bear about 100 meters away, so I immediately went back inside. It walked toward the direction of Iijima Minami Elementary School.
Akita, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (about 1.0 m in body length) / direction of travel: south / approximately 50 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
At around 08:40 on May 8, a man in his 60s working in a field in Nukazawa Nakatani-chi, Tsuzureko, Kitaakita City, spotted a bear about 1.2 meters long. The nearest building was about 10 meters away; the Kitaakita Police patrolled by patrol car and warned residents.
Kitaakita Tsuzureko, Akita
Witnessed one bear about 1 meter long in the grassy area near a railroad crossing. Approximately 60 meters from nearby houses.
Kitaakita, Akita
[Post] A moving black shape on a private property
Akita Iijima-Naganohoncho, Akita
[Report] While driving, I witnessed one cub (about 50 cm in length) sprinting up the west-side stairs of Iijima Elementary School grounds. I could not confirm any adult bear, but it may have been with the cub.
Akita Iijima-Matsunehigashicho, Akita
Walking from the dentist toward the bakery.
Akita, Akita
[Post] While passing by in a car, I saw two bears walking on the sidewalk.
Akita, Akita
[Post] There was a black animal in the forest, and when I went to see it, it was a mother bear and her cubs. When I went closer, they ran away.
Katagami, Akita
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
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted near Nagasaka River around 14:00 on May 7 in Kamitokawa Tomokawa No.4 (and boundary with No.5) in Kuroishi City. The city is considering installing a box trap; a bear was also seen around 07:10 on May 6 at nearly the same spot, and sightings were reported nearby on May 3 and May 5.
Kuroishi, Aomori
[Post]
Odate Kohakama, Akita
Saw it in the grass
Odate Negeto, Akita
During farm work, one bear was sighted. Body length approximately 1.2 m. It departed heading north toward Sugawara Shrine.
Akita, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / moving south / approximately 150 m from the nearest elementary school
Odate Negeto, Akita
[Post]
Odate Negeto, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / moving north / approximately 30 m from the nearest house
Odate Ikenai-michiue, Akita
Walked through the premises
Odate Ikenai-michiue, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.5 m) moving west; approximately 10 m from Ken-ei Hagino-dai housing complex.
Odate Ikenai-michiue, Akita
[Report] Crossed national highway — over 1 meter
Odate, Akita
Local resident sighted one bear (body length 1.5 m) / moving west / approximately 80 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Posted: Moving west along the irrigation channel beside the rice fields. Witnessed while driving, so subsequent actions are unknown.
Odate, Akita
Sighted near 60-1, Kitano, Tenno, Katagami City. Moving west.
Katagami, Akita
On a municipal road in Ikeuchi, Odate City, a woman in her 40s driving a car spotted a bear.
Odate Ikenai, Akita
[Report] An individual approximately 1.5 m in size is on the facility grounds. It crossed the road in front of the facility and entered the brush to the east.
Ikawa 寺沢, Akita
At around 07:10 on May 6, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the Nagasaka Riverbed at the boundary between Tomeoka No.4 and No.5 in Kamitogawa, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture. After the sighting, the bear moved toward the Aoyama/Takeda-cho area.
Kuroishi 竹田町, Aomori
A small bear-like animal crossed the road. It went north.
Ikawa 今戸, 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
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
Posted: Witnessed a small bear cub running into the woods from a car. 39.8113147, 140.0421385
Katagami, Akita
(Posted) Went toward Iijima Minami Elementary School
Akita, Akita
It swam across the Matomigawa River and ran off toward the mountains. It was a large bear.
Akita, Akita
I thought it was a black lump, but it was a bear crossing the river. It was large.
Akita, Akita
At about 15:40 on the 5th, a bear about 1 meter long was seen crossing a road in Miyata, Kanaashi Horinai, Akita City by a woman in her 40s driving. The nearest house was about 100 meters away, and the Akita Rinko Police Station has warned residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
Observed a bear at the foot of the bridge. Body length approximately 1 m. It left heading east. Nearest houses about 100 m away.
Akita, Akita
(Posted) It was on the road; when I shouted loudly it ran off toward Deto Elementary School.
Katagami, Akita
[Post] A large individual about 1.5 m in length.
Gojome 内川浅見内, Akita
I went to the prefectural museum.
Akita Kanaashi-Koizumi, Akita
Posted: Crossed while driving on the highway
Hachirogata Koike, Akita
On May 5, 2026 at around 01:20, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted near a field in the Hakkō area of Kuroishi City. At around 04:20, another bear of unknown size was sighted near a different field in the same area a few hundred meters away.
Kuroishi 八甲, Aomori
A 1.0 m bear was sighted on a municipal road near Tennō Minami Junior High School. It was reported to have moved off eastward.
Katagami, Akita
Around 16:40 on the 4th, a woman in her 40s from Katagami City saw a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road in Tennō Oiwake-nishi. The bear was about 5 meters from a private house; multiple sightings were reported in the area and the Gojōme police station has urged residents to be cautious.
Katagami, Akita
At around 16:50, there was a sighting of a 1.0 m bear on a city road near Tennō Minami Junior High School. It was reported to have left heading east.
Katagami, Akita
Around 16:40 near Tenno Aza Oiwake Nishi, a 1.0 m bear was sighted. It briefly climbed a tree and then left. Direction it departed is unknown.
Katagami, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
Was swimming
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
I can't be sure it was a bear, but a dark-colored animal (about 50–60 cm) was on the gravel road. It walked east.
Ikawa 今戸, Akita
The bear headed from the national highway into the forest.
Odate, Akita
Spotted a bear in a bamboo grove. Body length about 50 cm. It left heading south. About 100 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
Sighted a bear in the brush about 200 m north of the bridge. About 50 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
Sighted one Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) behind the Isedotai Jomon Museum. It appeared to be eating something in the grass.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
(Post) Was swimming in the river
Akita Kawashiri-Wakabamachi, Akita
Witnessed a bear crossing the road from east to west. Body length approximately 1 m. 100 m from nearby buildings.
Akita Iijima, Akita
One 1.5 m bear. Moving from the FamilyMart toward Detohama.
Katagami, Akita
At approximately 09:40, a 1.5 m bear was sighted on the prefectural road in Tenno, Shimohamayama. Direction of departure unknown.
Katagami, 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
While traveling from Oiwake toward Oga, it entered the roadside brush on the right and went into the bushes on the left side of the road.
Katagami, Akita
I saw it from my car. It's clearly recorded on the dashcam.
Mitane Amasegawa, Akita
Reported: Body approximately 1 meter. Walking in a mountain very close to the road.
Odate, Akita
While working in the fields, a bear was sighted in the rice paddy. One bear, about 1 m. Approximately 80 m from the nearest house. The bear then left heading north.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed one bear entering the premises of Akita Kairiku Co., Ltd. Size over 1 m. Wandering around the site.
Akita Iijima, Akita
When I got into my car on my property, a single bear about 1.2 m tall was right beside me (0.5 m away). When I shouted loudly, it left toward the north (Koizumigata Park direction). Distance from the house: 5 m.
Akita, 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
One bear sighted inside Akita Port International Container Terminal. Body length 1.0 m. Direction of departure unknown.
Akita Iijima, 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
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
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
Spotted one bear about 1.2 m in length in the grassy area near the facility. It then moved south. Approximately 30 m from the nearby facility.
Kitaakita Isecho, Akita
Witnessed one brown/black bear about 1 m tall entering the brush toward Prefectural Route 56 near the Chiyoda Kogyo factory.
Akita Iijima, Akita
Spotted one bear of unknown body length in a grassy area. Approximately 10 meters from a house. Subsequent direction of departure unknown.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
A single bear walked south between the houses. About 5 meters from a residence.
Kitaakita Miyamaecho, Akita
At around 11:20 on April 28, 2026, a bear about 80 cm long was sighted in the grounds of a vacant house in Akagawadai, Wakigami, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture by a woman in her 60s living next door. The Kitaakita police said the nearest house was about 20 meters away and urged residents to be cautious.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
[Post] Spotted a bear cub alone on the highway
Kosaka, Akita
While driving on the prefectural road from Akita toward Katagami, I saw one bear crossing the road from east to west. It continued westward and left. Body length 1.0 m. 450 m from Akita Smelting Plant.
Akita Iijima, Akita
[Post]
Akita Iijima, Akita
One bear about 1.5 meters. It moved south through the intersection and entered the brush.
Katagami, Akita
[Post]
Gojome 川崎, Akita
[Sighting] Crossing Prefectural Route 56 from the seaside toward the inland
Katagami, Akita
While a vehicle was in motion, one bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) was sighted / Direction of travel: east / Approximately 50 m to the nearest residence
Odate, Akita
At around 16:50 on April 27, 2026, a man in his 30s driving in Odate City, Karasawa Inariyama-shimo, spotted one bear about 1 meter long on the road. The nearest house is about 50 meters away and there is a hospital in the area; the police are patrolling the vicinity and urging residents to be cautious.
Odate Karasawa, Akita
Observed one bear about 1–2 m (shoulder height) moving south near the main gate of Tohoku Electric Power Akita Thermal Power Station. It was 10 m from the main gate.
Akita Iijima, Akita
[Report] Spotted walking along the fence inside the premises of Akita Thermal Power Plant. Believed to be a large adult, approximately over 1 meter in body length.
Akita Iijima, Akita
A staff member at a nearby facility sighted one bear (body length unknown) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 150 meters from the nearest facility
Odate Shakanai, Akita
In the forest at Odate City, Shakainai, at around 10:20 a.m. on the 27th, school staff spotted one bear about 50 cm in length. The nearest house is about 30 meters away and Shakainai Elementary School about 10 meters; the police notified related agencies, are patrolling the area with patrol cars, and have warned residents to be cautious.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
A single bear (body length 1.0 m) was sighted by nearby residents / moving east / approximately 100 m from the nearest house
Odate Niida, Akita
[Report] Spotted a bear crossing the river on my commute
Akita Kawashiri-Shinkawamachi, Akita
A bear about the size of a cub was seen walking.
Akita Tegata-Yamanakamachi, Akita
While driving on Prefectural Route Akita-Kitanoda, I saw one bear about 50 cm crossing from east to west. It was 30 m from the nearest building.
Akita, Akita
A single bear was sighted on Route 31 in Yahata 5-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai, and it moved northward into the forest.
Sendai 八幡, Miyagi
There's a big bear outside the house.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Road between Refresh Garden and Goshono Gakuin. A 50–60 cm Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma).
Akita, Akita
[Post] I think it was a female bear with cubs. It ran in front of the car for a short distance, then left the road and went into the grass.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Moon-ringed bear droppings. Two round pieces.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While walking in the park, I saw a skinny adult bear and one cub. At first the adult looked like a large black dog. The adult was about 1 m and the cub about 0.5 m in size. After that the bears went into the brush on the Yayoi-kko Village side.
Akita, Akita
Posted: Three bears (a parent and two cubs) were on the road; when a car approached they escaped into the bushes.
Daisen Uchiotomo, Akita
On a private road, one bear about 60 cm was sighted. It left toward the mountains to the east, 20 m from a house.
Akita, Akita
At around 3:55 PM on May 25, a bear was sighted in Yasumoto Shimogoshono, Yokote City.
Yokote 安本, Akita
A bear was sighted in the parking lot of Astimo Co., Ltd. Body length unknown.
Yokote 安本, Akita
I witnessed an adult bear about 1 meter long crossing the front of my house through the former orchard and entering the snowbreak (windbreak) trees alongside the JR East railway tracks.
Yokote 安本, Akita
A bear was sighted moving in Yasumoto Minaminihe, Yokote City.
Yokote 安本, Akita
Post: One newborn bear emerges from the bushes but soon returns
Akita, Akita
[Correction] One bear approximately 1 m in body length was sighted moving eastward in the order of Shimosaichūmura, Tarogoya, and Hyūga. *Multiple sightings reported. Incorrect: westward Correct: eastward
Yokote 下境, Akita
Around 11:40 on May 25, one bear was sighted moving in Shimokagari-Hinata, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture.
Yokote 下境, Akita
Observed a bear crossing Prefectural Route Nozaki-Jumonji and entering the grove of Yotsuya Rural Park. Body length approximately 1 m.
Yokote, Akita
Witnessed one bear entering the woods from near a cemetery. Body length unknown because the sighting was from a distance.
Yokote, Akita
Two bears about 1 m long (not a parent and child; possibly two juvenile bears) ran from the east-side mountain down to the Osawa River, then returned to the mountain. On the morning of April 23 another bear was also seen in the same way, so there may be a settled population in the area.
Daisen Osawagotera, Akita
A bear about 1.5 meters long was running. It went into the forested mountain area.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Witnessed it leaving from a nearby farm road and going into the cemetery.
Yokote, Akita
While traveling on the prefectural road, a single bear approximately 1.5 m in length was observed in the parking lot of Taiyū Nursery School. It then departed to the west. The distance to the nearest residence was about 10 m.
Yokote, Akita
On the night of 2026-05-25, one bear was sighted on a city road in Narita 8-chome, Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture.
Tomiya 明石, Miyagi
A bear was sighted in Taiyū Shinmachi, Yokote City.
Yokote, Akita
Around 7:00 on May 25, one bear was seen moving in Yuwa-Tsubakikawa Chibarayama, Akita City.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long crossed the road in front of the Oasis Hall in Kurokawa heading south and ran off toward the rice fields.
Yokote 黒川, Akita
A bear was sighted in Kamiyagari 2-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai City.
Sendai Izumichuo-minami, Miyagi
At around 16:47 on May 24, a bear was seen moving in Kanehanyu, Kawabe Toneyoshi, Akita City.
Akita, Akita
[Post] A bear was walking on the sidewalk while a car was driving.
Akita, Akita
Post: An adult (over 1 m) crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long crossed the Akita Expressway northbound.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Attempting to cross a highway
Akita, Akita
A bear was sighted in Yatsumatazawa, Tsukidate Shimomiyano, Kurihara City.
Kurihara 築館, Miyagi
A bear was sighted moving around 12:40 in Yuwa-Tsubakikawa Karuizawa, Akita City.
Akita, Akita
[Posted]
Akita, Akita
[Report] One bear about 1 meter. It crossed the river and entered the mountain across the way.
Akita Yuwa-Tsubakikawa, Akita
Crossed the roadway and entered the bushes.
Akita, Akita
A bear (1 m) crossed the road in front of Wannam Pier and departed to the southeast. It was 10 m from nearby buildings.
Akita, Akita
A bear (1 m) crossed the road in front of WanNyapia and left heading southeast. It was 10 m from the nearby building.
Akita, Akita
Report: One bear sighted. Size and direction of departure unknown.
Akita, Akita
One bear sighted on the west side grounds of Meio High School. Body length 1.0 m. Departed into the southern thicket. Distance from school building: 30 m.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear (1 m) while walking. The bear then left toward the north into the brush. 30 m to the nearest house.
Akita, Akita
[Post] While in a car, I witnessed it crossing from the rice field into the yard of a residence (toward a shed).
Daisen Osawagosyuku, Akita
[Report] One approximately 1-meter bear sighted. Direction of departure unknown.
Akita, Akita
Around 6:30 AM on 2026-05-23, a bear was sighted in Goryo Kuzuoka, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
Sendai Goroku, Miyagi
A bear was sighted in Kaminotegofuruno Fukadazawa, Akita City.
Akita, Akita
A bear was sighted in Furukawa Osaki Nyo Kodate, Ōsaki City.
Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi
A passerby sighted one bear, approximately 70 cm. It was 10 m from Nissan Motor Company. The bear departed toward the Terauchi direction.
Akita Yabase-Miwacho, Akita
(Posted) Appears to be a cub; ran off toward the New National Highway direction.
Akita Yabase-Shinkawamukai, Akita
Around 6:40 PM on May 22, one bear was sighted in Kamiaiko Hida, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.
Sendai Kami-Ayashi, Miyagi
A bear was sighted in Yokomukaiyama, Irozawa, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.
Sendai Imozawa, Miyagi
While eating, believed to be a parent and child.
Akita, Akita
Around 8:00 PM on 2026-05-22, a man walking on the Akita Tenno Line (Shin-kokudo) in Yabase, Akita City, spotted a bear about 70 cm long. The bear went north.
Akita Yabase-Dojonumamachi, Akita
[Post] Running along the rice paddy ridge
Akita Yotsugoya-Koaji, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
Observed a large bear in a field. One bear. Direction of departure unknown. Distance from building: 50 m.
Akita, Akita
Around 11:40 on May 21, a bear was sighted at Furukawa Shimizu Narita Omotemae in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.
Osaki 古川清水, Miyagi
A facility user sighted a bear on the perimeter road. Body length 60 cm. Appeared small. Left heading south. Distance from the building 50 m.
Akita, Akita
Officer on patrol sighted it. Body length about 1.0 m. One individual. Departed toward the northwest.
Akita, Akita
A police officer on patrol sighted a bear. Approximately 1.0 m in body length. One individual. It left heading west.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Ran along a path and entered a private home's yard.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear walking from my property to the neighboring lot. Body length 1.0 m. One bear. Moved east and left. Distance from the building: 5 m.
Akita, Akita
One bear sighted on the premises. Body length 1.0 m. Left heading east. Distance from buildings: 2 m.
Akita, Akita
While driving, I sighted one bear. Body length 1.0 m. It departed to the south. Distance from the building: 5 m.
Akita, Akita
Left south along the city road adjacent to Gosho-no Third District Park. Body length 1.0 m. One individual. Distance from the building: 10 m.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear while driving. Body length 1.0 m. It departed to the west. 10 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
After running along the road, it went into the yard of a private residence.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear while driving. Body length 1.0 m. One bear. Moved away to the west. 10 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
While on duty, one bear was sighted on a municipal road. It was wandering around the area. Body length approximately 1.0 m. Direction in which it left unknown. Distance from buildings: 5 m.
Akita, Akita
At around 10:50 on the 21st, a man in his 50s working nearby spotted a single bear about 1 meter long in Goshono Jizoida 2-chome, Akita City. The Akita East Police warned residents and patrolled the area by patrol car, noting that a junior high school and high school are approximately 300 meters away.
Akita, Akita
Around 14:57 on 2026-05-20, a bear was sighted in Goshono Jizoden 3-chome, Akita City.
Akita, Akita
About 1 meter. In the Refresh Garden parking lot.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Adult bear. Went in the direction of Hoshitsuji Shrine.
Akita Hodono-Torimachi, Akita
A bear was sighted in Furukawa Osaki Odachi, Ōsaki City, Miyagi, around 14:20 on May 20, 2026.
Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi
[Post]
Akita, Akita
[Post] Bear.
Akita, Akita
Sighted inside Akita Refresh Garden. Size approximately 1.0 m. The bear then moved east.
Akita, Akita
Around 14:00 on May 20, 2026, a man playing golf spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on the course of Akita Refresh Garden in Gosyono Jizoden 3-chome, Akita City. The area is a residential district with nearby junior high and high schools and a shopping mall; the police have contacted related agencies, are patrolling the site with patrol cars, and are warning residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
On 2026-05-20 afternoon, one bear was seen moving in Goshono Jizoden 4-chome, Akita City.
Akita, Akita
Around 14:00 on the 20th, a man playing golf spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on the course of Akita City Refresh Garden in Goshono Jizohta 3-chome, Akita City. The Akita East Police Station said the nearest junior and senior high schools are about 200 m away and houses about 100 m, and patrol cars are broadcasting warnings to alert people.
Akita, Akita
Near the brush above the forest park, it was crossing the gravel path.
Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi
Observed one bear crossing National Route 341 from north to south. It went into the woods. Body length about 50 cm.
Daisen Kyowa-Kamiyodokawa, Akita
Report: While I was walking, there was a bear about 140 cm tall in the forest underbrush.
Akita Senshu-meitokumachi, Akita
A bear was sighted in Yotsugoya Suetomatsumoto Sakanoue, Akita City.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving on the road, a bear about 1 meter long was walking in a rice field beside the road.
Akita, Akita
At around 10:25 on May 20, 2026, a woman in her 70s encountered a bear about 1 meter long in a bamboo grove behind her home in Furukawa Shinhori, Osaki City, Miyagi. She waved a saw she was carrying and drove the bear off but fell and suffered a fractured bone in her lower back; the bear fled west.
Osaki 古川新堀, Miyagi
On May 20 in Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture, Tatsurou Nakajima (85), who had gone out to pick warabi, was found dead near the bank of the Sawairi River with scratch-like wounds; it is believed he was likely attacked by a nearby bear. His family found him and hunters who arrived on the scene drove the bear away.
Nishiwaga Owatari, Iwate
On May 20 an 85-year-old man who had gone to pick wild plants was found dead in a stream near his home. The body had injuries to the head and torso, and firefighters spotted one bear at the scene and on the home's grounds, so police believe he was likely attacked by a bear and are investigating.
Nishiwaga Kawashiri, Iwate
An elderly man believed to be an 85-year-old who had gone out to gather wild vegetables was found dead in a stream in Kotonasezawa (Kotsunagisawa), Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture on the morning of May 20. The body showed severe injuries, including scratches and torn clothing on the head and upper body, and a single bear was spotted near the scene, so police suspect a bear attack and are investigating.
Nishiwaga Kotsunagizawa, Iwate
[Post] In the bushes beside the cafe
Akita Omachi, Akita
[Post]
Daisen Kitanome, Akita
[Post]
Akita Izumi, Akita
[Report] While commuting from the Sanno direction toward Akita Station, I saw a bear in a parking lot. It was a single cub, about 70 cm long.
Akita Omachi, Akita
Was trying to cross the road. When a car came, it went back into the bushes.
Akita, Akita
One bear was sighted on company premises. Body length: 1.0 m. It departed southward. Distance from the building: 10 m.
Akita, Akita
On May 20, 2026 at around 05:50, a woman walking in Taihaku Forest Park in Aoba Ward, Sendai, reported seeing a bear walking south to north. There were no injuries; Sendai North Police said a single bear about 1 meter long was seen near the rock garden by the HOKUSHU Science Museum. Officers patrolled but could not confirm it. A bear had also been sighted about 1.5 km south on the 14th, and police cannot tell if it is the same individual.
Sendai Kitane-Kuromatsu, Miyagi
At around 05:50 on the 20th, one adult bear was sighted walking from south to north near the science museum in Taihaku Forest Park, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.
Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi
On May 20, a severely damaged male body was found in a mountain stream in Kosengisawa, Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture. Fire officials said a bear was spotted nearby and the person may have been attacked.
Nishiwaga Kotsunagizawa, Iwate
A bear was sighted in Oomachi 1-chome, Akita City.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
On May 20, 2026, Sendai City reported a bear sighting in Taihara Forest Park in Aoba Ward and has temporarily banned passage on most of the park, including paths without street lighting.
Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi
A bear appeared in Furukawa, Ōsaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the city carried out its first emergency shooting to cull the animal.
Osaki 古川, Miyagi
On 2026-05-20 around 12:30, a bear was sighted in Kyowa Kamiyodokawa, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, and was seen moving.
Daisen Kyowa-Kamiyodokawa, Akita
A body was found in a mountain forest in Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture, and it has been reported that the person may have been attacked by a bear.
Nishiwaga Kawashiri, Iwate
Report: After getting off at Izumi-Sotokawashi Station and exiting toward the Sotokawashi side, there was a bear in the park on the left. Its eyes were shining in the dark. Body length unknown.
Akita, Akita
Sighted on the premises from inside the residence. Walked off to the west. Body length about 1 m. Approximately 10 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
[Post] It was on the road while heading from Sannō toward the station. It was near a daycare center.
Akita Hodono-Torimachi, Akita
It was a cub about 5–60 cm. It was walking along, but when I rang the bear bell I had, it ran off toward the station.
Akita, Akita
[Post] A limping bear climbed up the hill behind the houses.
Akita Izumikamanomachi, Akita
[Post] A young bear about 50 cm crossed the road.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
I saw a black object larger than a dog. It went into the trees near a house. Its movements were fairly slow, and it appeared to have a problem with its right leg.
Akita, Akita
[Report] A young bear was in the rental parking lot next to the 7-Eleven.
Akita Hodono-Torimachi, Akita
Sighted behind a shop on Torimachi Street.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
Sighted a bear crossing the road from south to north. Body length approximately 1 m. 150 m from the nearest building.
Akita, Akita
A cub was on the riverbank's edge.
Akita Omachi, Akita
[Post] There was something like a bear in the company's grove. I was too scared to look properly, but it was not a dog. Bigger than a dog, about just under 1 meter.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
[Post] I went to clean the trash area and saw something like a bear in the park at the back, got scared and ran away. It climbed over the fence toward the Leopalace side and disappeared. It had an injured leg.
Akita, Akita
[Report] During pick-up/drop-off, it was at the corner of the house. It looked like a bear with bad legs. Body length about 1 m.
Akita, Akita
A single juvenile bear was in the shrine grounds. About 70–90 cm tall. Not as tall as 1 m. It was in the shrubbery at the edge of the wooded area, then walked eastward.
Akita Omachi, Akita
[Post] While riding on the bicycle path I saw a black object at the roadside. It was limping on its right leg. A bear from the day before yesterday?
Akita, Akita
On the morning of May 19, 2026, one male bear was spotted in a grove near Furukawa Shinden, Osaki City. The city authorized emergency gun hunting for public safety and the bear was killed around 11:00 a.m. The bear was about 1.1 m long, weighed approximately 45 kg, was estimated to be four years old, and is believed to have wandered in via a nearby river.
Osaki 古川新田, Miyagi
[Report] A bear cub was walking along the river. It walked in the direction of Chiaki (Senkyu) Park.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
Posting: Eating something in the same spot. I’ve seen it every time I go for the past two or three days.
Akita, Akita
[Post] On the way back from fishing I found something like a bear in the grass. I think its body length was about 70 cm. When I honked the horn it ran away.
Akita Omachi, Akita
One bear was sighted in a rice paddy 50 m south of Takara (Tamakawa?) Community Center. Direction of departure unknown.
Akita, Akita
On the way back from the Kawabata area, I saw one young bear. Its body length was about 70–80 centimeters. It was alone in an open space that looked like a parking lot.
Akita Omachi, Akita
In the early morning of May 19, 2026, a roughly 70-cm bear was sighted in front of Neburi Nagashi-kan in Omachi, Akita City at about 02:30. At 09:50 a similarly sized bear-like animal was seen near a nearby parking lot. Subsequent sightings were reported along the river, at a shrine, and near a supermarket, and authorities say the bear may still be in the area.
Akita Hodono-Nakacho, Akita
Yokote construction firm Hasshin Kensetsu used a drone equipped with an infrared camera to survey bear habitat and captured footage this spring of three bears believed to be a parent and two cubs. The drone detects heat signatures and is used for locating bears in forests and investigating sites of human-bear incidents.
Yokote Akagawa, Akita
On May 18, 2026 at around 20:00 in Sakuragaoka 6-chome, Aoba-ku, Sendai, a passerby reported a black animal about 1 meter long (uncertain if it was a bear) on private property, but residents could not confirm it. At around 22:15 the same day, a bear was reported moving south on a road in Nakayamadai 1-chome and then left for nearby woods. A bear was also sighted at Sakuragaoka Elementary School on the 14th.
Sendai Nishikatsuyama, Miyagi
There was a bear in a rice paddy. I saw it from a distance from the road; it was relatively large. It seemed to be walking slowly.
Akita, Akita
[Report] An adult bear was at the roadside. It noticed the car and ran into the brush.
Daisen, Akita
It ran from the rice-field ridge, crossed the road, and ran into the rice field on the opposite side.
Akita, Akita
The bear was running and wandering along the sidewalk beside the airport road. It crossed from the Honda side to the Shibano side.
Akita, Akita
[Report] I was driving slowly north along the field ridge that runs parallel to the road between the airport road and two rice paddies.
Akita, Akita
Post: Body length about 1.2 m. In broad daylight on a hill area. From the south-side woods heading toward residential area. Dangerous due to school commute time.
Akita, Akita
At around 06:10 on the 18th, a man driving on a municipal road in Takayashiki, Tomiya City, spotted a bear about 1.5 m long and called the police. The bear ran up the west slope toward the mountain; the previous evening (17th) two other bears (about 1.5 m and 1 m) were reported about 1 km to the west in Yamatocho Morinooka 3-chome.
Tomiya 杜乃橋, Miyagi
At around 06:10 on the 18th, a 1.5-meter bear was seen walking on a slope near the Costco Wholesale Tomiya warehouse in Takayashiki, Tomiya City, by a man in a car; at about 10:00 the same day two more bears were spotted in a rice field about 1 km south of that location. There were no injuries reported, and Miyagi Prefecture announced it will continue the 'bear sighting alert' until June 18 due to the surge in sightings.
Tomiya 杜乃橋, Miyagi
[Post] (Posted May 19, 16:57; no description of situation)
Misato 境田, Akita
[Post] While walking from Izumi-Sotoasahikawa Station I saw a black moving object. Larger than a dog, about 1.2 m. It looked like its front leg was injured.
Akita, Akita
Around 04:20 on May 18, a black bear about 1.2 meters long was sighted near JR Izumigaoka-Akihikawa Station in Sotoasahikawa, Akita City; it appeared to have an injured front paw. On May 17 in the same area, a bear believed to have an injured front paw entered a private property, and police responded by setting off firecrackers.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed leaving the road heading north while in motion. Body length 1 m. 10–20 m to buildings.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While walking, I saw a bear moving from the mountain toward the Seria area. It appeared to be dragging one of its legs as if injured. It might be the same individual as the one seen around 5 p.m.
Akita, Akita
At around 18:20 on May 17, 2026, a resident reported seeing two bears (approximately 1.5 meters and 1 meter long) walking in a rice paddy in Mori-no-oka 3-chome, Taiwa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, and called emergency services.
Taiwa 杜の丘, Miyagi
At around 17:45 on May 17, one bear was sighted on the grounds of a private home in Gaikasugawa, Sango-dena, Akita City. The Akita Rinko Police Station has not confirmed whether the bear left and is continuing to monitor the area, saying the bear may still be on the property.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Passing through Sotoasahikawa Anpasu. Came out in front of a car, went through the irrigation channel behind Maruhan Sotoasahikawa, crossed from Akigin Sotoasahikawa branch toward the dentist opposite, entered the grounds of the house behind the dentist, and is believed to still be on that property. Appears to have an injured right front leg and was limping while running. Body length about 1.2 m.
Akita, Akita
Crossed the road toward the north side (the wholesale market side). Body length about 1.2 meters.
Akita, Akita
Posted: Walked along what looked like a waterway/irrigation canal next to the currency exchange
Akita, Akita
Post: About 80 cm. Right front paw injured.
Akita, Akita
Crossed from the southwest to the northeast side of the intersection. Body length 1 m. 10 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
It was limping, about 1 meter.
Akita, Akita
[Post] A bear crossed the new national road near Kusautsugawa.
Akita, Akita
It came out from the farm road and went down the slope toward the Omono River.
Akita, Akita
A police officer driving by witnessed it running across the road from west to east. Body length 1 m. 5 meters from a private house.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
[Report] Passed across the garden embankment from west to east. Body length about 1 meter from snout to tail. Caution needed as this was in a residential area.
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
Witnessed by visitors at Gokoku Shrine. Left toward the east side of the shrine. Body length 1.5 m. Distance from buildings unknown.
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
At around 13:15 on the 17th, a man visiting the prefectural Gokoku Shrine in Terauchi Ohata, Akita City, saw a bear approximately 1.5 meters long. The bear moved eastward, was about 20 meters from the nearest building, and the Akita Rinko Police are patrolling the area by patrol car and warning residents.
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
[Post]
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
[Post]
Akita Terauchi-Yakeyama, Akita
[Post]
Daisen, Akita
Footprints believed to be from a bear were found in the field.
Daisen Jinguji, Akita
Discovered what appears to be bear tracks in the field.
Daisen Jinguji, Akita
Around 04:30 on May 17, 2026, a female newspaper delivery worker spotted a bear about 50 cm long in shrubbery among houses in Yawata 5-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai. The bear left the scene; police patrolled the area but did not find it. The sighting location is about 300 meters in a straight line from Osaki Hachiman Shrine.
Sendai 八幡, Miyagi
One bear about 1.0 m in length was sighted in the rice field south of Takara River Community Center. It departed heading south from there. It was 150 m from the community center.
Akita, Akita
[Post] While driving toward Akita City, I spotted a bear in the rice field beside the road. It appeared to be a cub. It was running toward Route 13. Body length about 1 meter.
Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita
[Post] A machine-like device (a device that plays dog barks to deter bears) was making a lot of noise. When I went to check, there was a bear wandering around the area.
Akita, Akita
A parent and child were playing on a large tree.
Akita, Akita
Observed during a walk. It went up toward the cemetery park.
Akita, Akita
It crossed the road.
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
Around 20:25 on May 15, an adult bear was sighted on a city road north of Kitakami General Sports Park in Takamaedanchi, Awasaracho, Kitakami City; the bear crossed the road from north to south and ran toward the park. No damage from the bear was reported, and police have urged nearby residents to be cautious.
Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate
[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
Local residents witnessed an adult bear (approximately 1.2 m) entering the mountains from nearby rice fields.
Daisen, Akita
Spotted a bear in the rice field. Body length about 60 cm. It left to the south. Approximately 250 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
While harvesting bamboo shoots, I sighted one bear about 1.2 meters long.
Daisen, Akita
[Post] It ran across the yard and headed toward Kappei.
Akita Arayamatsumigaoka-higashicho, Akita
At around 06:30 on May 15, a woman walking near Kitakayama 1-chome Park in Izumi Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long. According to the Miyagi Prefectural Police Izumi Station, the bear left heading northwest; the area is a residential neighborhood surrounded by woods.
Sendai Sanezawa, Miyagi
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
Around 00:00 on May 15, a man driving on a city road in Masue, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, reported seeing a black mass that turned out to be a bear. The bear was a single animal about 1.5 m long, left toward the forest to the east, and there were no injuries; it may be the same individual seen the previous afternoon at Tohoku High School Komatsushima campus, and the city set box traps but had not captured it.
Sendai Masue, Miyagi
Around 00:00 on May 15, 2026, a man driving in Masue, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, called 110 after approaching a dark mass and discovering it was a bear. According to the Sendai East Police, a single bear about 1.5 meters long left toward woods to the north and east; there were no injuries.
Sendai Masue, Miyagi
One bear approximately 1 m (shoulder height) was sighted on the roadway. It left heading east. About 30 m from nearby buildings.
Akita, Akita
A bear about one meter long came down the mountain slope.
Akita, Akita
A young bear was crossing the road.
Akita, Akita
[Post] [No description of the situation]
Yokote Yanagida, Akita
Around 13:00 on May 14, 2026, a student spotted a bear about 50 meters away in the grove on the grounds of Tohoku High School in Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai. The school ordered a mass dismissal, and police warned that bears had also appeared in the area on May 11.
Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi
Around 13:00 on the 14th, a staff member at Tohoku High School in Komatsushima 4-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai, reported a bear in a grove on the school grounds to emergency services. The city and Sendai North Police are responding, believing the bear remains in the grove, and have urged caution at nearby schools and the university.
Sendai Komatsu-Shintsutsumi, Miyagi
[Post] In a fallow rice field, one adult and two cubs were eating something.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While resting in the car, I spotted a bear heading toward the municipal baseball stadium. [Yokote City Agriculture and Forestry Maintenance Division note] The location information is clearly incorrect, so the point on the map is provisional. It is unknown whether this is the old Yokote Municipal Stadium in Yokote Park or another municipal stadium.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
A city employee on patrol spotted the bear. The bear was wandering on a road in the park and noticed the employee about 60 meters away, but remained standing facing them for a while without moving, so the employee got into a vehicle and approached the bear, at which point it entered the woods in the park. Body length about 1 meter.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
A police officer on patrol spotted a bear near the restrooms in Ōtori Park. The bear went down the slope once but then returned and entered the woods inside Ōtori Park. Its body length is about 1 meter.
Yokote Shinzaka-cho, Akita
Sighted a bear crossing the Ōtorii Bridge near Asakura Elementary School. Body length about 1 m.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
A single bear about 1 m in body length was sighted in the rice field north of the Seven-Eleven Yokote Hachiman store. The distance to the nearest house is about 60 m.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
At around 07:30 on the 14th, an approximately 1-meter-long bear was sighted in a rice field in 横手市八幡字十二柳, Akita Prefecture by an elderly man in his 80s who was walking nearby. According to the Yokote Police, the sighting location is about 100 meters from the nearest house, and the police are urging residents to be cautious.
Yokote Shizuka-machi, Akita
It moved from the river area toward the urban area.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
Observed a bear crossing National Route 13 from east to west. The bear then entered the woods on the west side. Distance to the nearest house was about 10 meters. The bear's body length was 1 to 1.5 meters.
Yokote 杉目, Akita
In the early hours of the 14th, one bear was spotted on the street near Sendai City Sakuragaoka Elementary School in Aoba Ward, Sendai. The school implemented measures such as group dismissal. According to police, the sighting occurred before 3:30 a.m. on the 14th.
Sendai Takimichi, Miyagi
In Sendai's Aoba Ward (Sakuragaoka 8-chome), at around 03:25 on the 14th a female newspaper delivery worker spotted a bear about 1 meter long. At 09:20 a man also saw a similar-sized bear on a promenade in Mizu no Mori Park; nearby schools and a nursery implemented group dismissals or halted outdoor activities, and there were no injuries.
Sendai Takimichi, Miyagi
A bear was in the parking space of a shop. After that, it went up the slope that leads to the park on top of the mountain.
Akita, Akita
[Report] A bear (1 m) crossed the rice field and climbed the mountain to the north along the farm road.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1.2 meters long was occupying the forest road. It did not run away when we shouted loudly; when we rang a bell it fled into the woodland on the north side.
Daisen Engyoji, Akita
[Post] Strolling through a fallow rice field
Akita, Akita
A bear (1 m) was sighted near a residential property. It then left toward the woods to the east. Distance to the house: 5 m.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear about 50 cm long near the Kozawa Mini Rice Center. It climbed up the slope behind and fled into the nearby woods.
Daisen Osawagosyuku, Akita
[Post] Crossing the national highway
Daisen Kyowa-Sakai, Akita
Around 2:00 a.m. on the 13th, two bears were sighted in front of Tohoku University Aobayama Campus in Aramaki Aoba, Aoba Ward, Sendai. A student reported it to the university, which notified the police in the afternoon; there were no injuries.
Sendai Aramaki, Miyagi
Around 02:00 on the 13th, a Tohoku University student in Aramaki Aoba, Aoba Ward, Sendai, called 110 reporting a cub and an adult bear in the bushes; the two bears fled into the bushes. The Sendai Central Police Station has urged caution in the area.
Sendai Aramaki, Miyagi
At around 20:35 on the 12th, a driver spotted one bear crossing a road from east to west near a pond in Taihaku 2-chome, Taihaku Ward, Sendai. The bear left the area; there are childcare facilities and houses nearby, and police are patrolling and standing by.
Sendai Hagigaoka, Miyagi
Attempted to cross the Yokoyama-Kanaashi line, but there were many cars, and it kept coming in and out of the bushes.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving on the prefectural road, I sighted a bear about 1.2 meters long in a rice field beside the road. Before I could point my camera, the bear noticed the vehicle and fled to the woodland to the southeast.
Daisen Takajo, Akita
A single bear about one meter long left the area, moving from near the temple across the rice fields toward the mountains.
Daisen Kushoda, Akita
A young bear was sighted near the field. It then walked away into the woods to the east. It was 5 meters from a house.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed one bear crossing the national road from the rice fields toward the mountains. Body length approximately 1 m. About 100 m from a house.
Daisen Kitanome, 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
Heading to Akita Airport.
Akita, Akita
Around 13:40 on May 11, 2026, a passerby spotted a single bear about 1 meter long walking in the bamboo thicket near Komatsushima Park in Aoba Ward, Sendai, and called emergency services. The Sendai North Police are urging caution near nearby facilities including Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University and Tohoku High School.
Sendai Komatsu-Shintsutsumi, Miyagi
Crossed the national highway and left toward the north. Body length approximately 1.5 m. About 50 m from a house.
Daisen Kyowa-Mineyoshikawa, Akita
Observed one adult bear heading north along the road.
Ōshū 水沢, Iwate
At around 06:40 on May 11 in the riverside area of Hirose River near Kokusai Center Station (under the subway Tozai Line) in Aoba Ward, Sendai, a man walking his dog reported seeing two bears—believed to be a parent and cub—about 1.5 m and 0.8 m long. The bears left the scene; police patrolled for about an hour and no further sightings were reported.
Sendai Aobayama, Miyagi
At around 06:30 on the 11th, two bears believed to be a parent and cub were sighted on the banks of the Hirose River beside Nishi Park in Aoba Ward, Sendai. After 13:30 another bear was seen in a bamboo grove at a park in Komatsushima 4-chome; police and Sendai City are patrolling and have issued warnings to nearby schools and the university. The man who reported the sighting was not injured.
Sendai Sakuragaoka-koen, Miyagi
Around 15:30 on the 10th, a motorist passing on Prefectural Route 55 in Imozawa Ootakehara, Aoba Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 50 cm long and called emergency services. The bear left the road and entered the bushes; police are patrolling the area and advising caution.
Sendai Shimo-Ayashi, Miyagi
At about 08:30 on May 10, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter in length was sighted on a walking trail in Shiki no Mori within the Prefectural Forest in Tomiya City (Akashikami-Origemoto). When the walker increased the volume of a radio they were carrying, the bear left the area; there have been no further sightings and the management office is warning visitors over the park's PA system.
Tomiya, Miyagi
A single bear was observed on private residential property. Body length approximately 1 m, about 20 m from the house. After that it passed through a rice field and headed toward the Showa Concrete direction.
Daisen Kushoda, Akita
[Post] Climbed onto the guardrail
Daisen Takajo, Akita
Ran through from the Ushi-no-sawa area toward the Sugi-sawa area.
Akita Koyoaoyagicho, Akita
While driving near Autoland Akita, observed one bear. It left toward the mountains. Body length about 1.5 m.
Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita
One juvenile bear sighted.
Ōshū 胆沢小山, Iwate
At around 06:10 on the 9th, a person driving on the Sendai North Loop Road in Kamiyagari, Izumi Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road. The bear left toward the southern woods and there were no injuries or damage. Police say the sightings on May 6 and at 11:30 on the 9th may be of the same individual and are urging caution.
Sendai Izumichuo-minami, Miyagi
A single bear was seen crossing a road in Izumi Ward, Sendai. Multiple sightings have been reported nearby, and officials say it may be the same individual.
Sendai 寺岡, Miyagi
[Report] Probably a cub. It left the park and ran south.
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
[Post]
Akita Shimokitate-Samukawa, Akita
[Post] Standing by the guardrail on the downhill side of the expressway. Body length approx. 1.0 m.
Akita, Akita
After receiving a report, the Yokote City Office Forestry and Agricultural Maintenance Division conducted an on-site inspection. They confirmed multiple footprints in the field measuring at least 15 cm in length. From the footprints, the animal is believed to be an adult bear with a body length of 1.0 to 1.5 meters. During a surrounding patrol they found several locations where apples had been discarded, confirming signs that bears had been attracted to the area.
Yokote 安本, Akita
On the morning of May 8 a bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a road in Takano-hara 2-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai. A report came in around 08:30, police monitored the area and spotted one bear around 09:20, which quickly entered the bushes.
Sendai Imozawa, Miyagi
Posted: Found in the park while walking. Based on its size, it appears to be a cub.
Akita, Akita
An adult bear was seen running near the entrance to the Nishitado settlement.
Daisen, Akita
While driving on the highway's outbound lane about 2 km from Kawabe JCT toward Daisen City, two bears were observed from a vehicle (1.0 m and 0.7 m). They ran off toward the left embankment.
Akita, Akita
Around 22:00 on May 6 a person in a car sighted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road at the intersection in front of a shopping mall in Kamiyatagari, Izumi-ku, Sendai. Police patrolled but did not find the bear and there were no injuries. Separately, a bear was sighted on a mountain near Otayachi Elementary School in Ishinomaki on May 2, so an evacuation drill scheduled for May 7 was canceled.
Sendai Izumichuo-minami, Miyagi
Around 22:00 on May 6, 2026, a female driver spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on a prefectural road in Kamitayagari, Izumi Ward, Sendai. The bear crossed a crosswalk at an intersection heading south and disappeared into nearby brush; police patrolled the area but received no further sightings.
Sendai Chomeigaoka-higashi, Miyagi
Around 22:00 on May 6, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the intersection of the Sendai North Ring Road (Sendai Kita Kanjosen) at Kamiyatagari-Tatewaki, Izumi Ward, Sendai; it left toward the bushes. Police patrolled the area but did not find it afterward, and Izumitakeyama High School notified parents to be cautious by email.
Sendai Chomeigaoka-higashi, Miyagi
[Report] Crossing the road
Daisen, Akita
There was a bear near the rice field. Afterwards, it went into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
Observed one juvenile crossing the road from south to north.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
A bear about 1.2 m long was in the south-side yard of the house and left heading east.
Daisen Iida, Akita
Spotted a bear coming down from the west road toward Iida IC. It left heading south. Body length about 1 m.
Daisen Iida, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long was sitting on the riverbank.
Daisen Fujiki, Akita
Around 21:30 on May 5, a person in a car saw a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road in Moniwa Hitokurada Higashi, Taihaku Ward, Sendai (near the Tohoku Expressway Sendai Minami IC). Later, at about 22:10 the same day, a bear was also seen crossing a road in a residential area in Nihondaira, roughly 600 meters north of the first sighting.
Sendai Nihondaira, Miyagi
On the night of the 5th, a person in a car in Moniwa Hitokurita Higashi, Taihaku Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road at around 21:30. The bear headed toward the Natori River, and at 22:10 another sighting of a bear crossing a road was reported about 600 meters north in the Nihondaira residential area; police have issued a warning.
Sendai Nihondaira, Miyagi
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
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
A single young bear was sighted on the elementary school grounds.
Ōshū 江刺稲瀬, Iwate
Around 17:35 on May 5, a resident spotted a bear about 1 meter long in a green strip in Nishikigaoka 9-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai. At 22:30 a bear, possibly the same individual, was seen sitting in green space opposite the road near the Sendai City Observatory in Nishikigaoka 5-chome; in all cases the bear left and no damage was reported.
Sendai Kami-Ayashi, Miyagi
At around 17:30 on May 5, in a green area of Nishikigaoka 9-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai, a walker sighted a bear about 1 meter long. Police patrolled but did not find it; roughly five hours later a bear of similar size was seen about 600 meters to the south in another green area, after which it fled southwest and was not seen again. Police warned it may be the same individual.
Sendai Kami-Ayashi, Miyagi
One juvenile bear was sighted near the business premises.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
[Post] Footprints found in the field.
Misato 金沢西根, Akita
[Correction] While driving on Prefectural Route 36, a bear approximately 1 m in length was sighted near Ōmori Purification Center. The bear departed heading west. Distance to the nearest house: about 400 m. (Administrator: 10:50 — Regarding the report of a sighting in Oomori-machi Ōnakajima, Yokote City, this corrects an error in the location information.)
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
Sighted at Jufukuji. It ran toward the levee.
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
It was standing by the guardrail beside the highway.
Akita, Akita
[Post] [No description of situation]
Yokote 阿気, Akita
[Post] [No description of the situation]
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
Witnessed one bear approximately 1 m in body length moving through rice paddies. The bear then moved southeast (Ikada-aza Kubo direction). Distance to the nearest house about 100 m.
Yokote 山内筏, Akita
At around 20:10 on May 4, 2026, a teenage woman returning home spotted a single bear about 1 meter long rummaging through a plastic bag on a road near Kitayama Station (JR Senzan Line) in Yamatecho, Aoba-ku, Sendai. Police arrived but the bear had already left; no injuries or damage have been reported.
Sendai Kikutamachi, Miyagi
At around 20:10 on the 4th, a bear rummaging through what looked like a plastic bag on a road in Yamatecho, Aoba Ward, Sendai was reported by a teenage woman. The bear, about 1 meter long, had already left when police arrived; no injuries or damages have been reported, and police are warning residents near Kita-Yama Station on the Senzan Line.
Sendai Yamatemachi, Miyagi
Observed one adult bear passing through rice paddies and residential areas, moving into the brush along the Isawa River.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
Witnessed one adult bear moving through rice paddies and houses, heading into the brush along the Isawa River.
Ōshū 水沢卸町, Iwate
Observed one young bear jumping over the fence along the Tohoku Expressway service road and moving south.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
Witnessed one young bear crossing the national highway from east to west near Mizusawa Interchange.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
Was swimming
Akita, Akita
[Post] (No description of the situation)
Yokote Yokote-machi, Akita
Witnessed a bear about 1.5 m in body length at the guardrail. Direction of departure unknown.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
Sighted a bear crossing the Yuzawa-Yokote Road eastbound near Yokote JCT (about 500 meters southwest of the tollbooth). Body length approximately 1 m.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
Spotted a bear crossing the road. It moved south along the side of Takubo Marsh. Body length about 1.5 m.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
Observed one adult bear staying on the road slope for about 5 minutes.
Ōshū 水沢, Iwate
Spotted a bear about 1 meter long. It ran off to the west.
Yokote Yasuda, Akita
[Post] (No situation described)
Yokote Ekimae-cho, Akita
An animal believed to be a bear about 1.5 m in length was observed moving around along a route through the drugstore, Komyoji Park, and Yurinoki Street.
Yokote Tanaka-machi, Akita
On the morning of May 3 in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, a bear about 1.2 m long was seen crossing a prefectural road at 04:10, and other bears about 1.5 m long were reported at multiple locations later in the morning. The police are patrolling the area and warning residents to be cautious.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
A creature believed to be a bear about 1.2 m in length was sighted near the Minami (South) Government Building of Yokote City Hall. The animal crossed the road heading east.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
On the morning of the 3rd at around 04:10, a single bear was seen crossing a road near the Yokote City Office Jouri South Branch in Jouri, Yokote City, and about 20 minutes later a bear was also seen at an intersection in Kotobuki-cho. Further sightings occurred near JR Yokote Station, and the last sighting before 07:00 was near a marsh by Fukeodai, after which the bear's whereabouts are unknown; police and the city have issued warnings.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
[Report] A juvenile bear, estimated to be about 70–80 cm, was in front of my house. It went from the east side of my house toward the north, into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
One juvenile bear sighted on the road.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
At around 08:40 on May 2, 2026, one bear was sighted in Kozumi, Izumi Ward, Sendai City. The bear left the scene, and no damage to people or property was confirmed, according to the Izumi Police Station of Miyagi Prefectural Police.
Sendai Ogaku, Miyagi
Sighted a bear in the brush about 200 m north of the bridge. About 50 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving on Route 13 from Omagari toward Akita, I saw a bear about 1 m tall under a cherry tree on the left. There were two holes in the embankment on the travel side that appeared to be the bear’s den.
Daisen Kyowa-Sakai, Akita
(Post) Was swimming in the river
Akita Kawashiri-Wakabamachi, Akita
Was wandering around near the embankment of the marsh.
Yokote, Akita
Loitering near the banks of the marsh.
Yokote, Akita
Around 9:20 a bear about 1 m tall was sighted. It crossed the road and went off toward the mountains. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed the bear crossing the road from a residence and moving toward the mountains. Bear size approximately 1 m.
Akita, Akita
Report: Around 9:20, a bear about 1 m in size was sighted. It crossed the road and left toward the mountain. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Two bear cubs came down from the mountain. The cubs then fled toward the mountain to the south.
Daisen Osawagosyuku, Akita
Before 07:00 on May 1, 2026, a roughly 1-meter bear was spotted in a residential area of Kawabe, Akita City, and Kawabe Junior High asked parents to accompany students home. On April 29, a roughly 1-meter bear was also seen on the north breakwater of Akita Port; managers plan to use firecrackers and loudspeakers as countermeasures when the breakwater is opened.
Akita, Akita
Two bear cubs came down from the mountain. The cubs then fled toward the mountain to the south.
Daisen Osawagosyuku, Akita
A bear about 1 m in size was sighted on the residential property. It left to the north. 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
[Post] (No description of situation) *The accuracy of information from 'Kumadas' is unknown, but because this is a high-risk area we are issuing this alert.
Yokote 2-chome, Akita
On 2026-04-30 at about 19:35, a roughly 1‑meter bear was sighted near the north side of Tate Elementary School in Sendai City's Izumi Ward and reported to police. Later that day, bears of about the same size were also reported in Izumi Ward's Misawa area at 20:10 and in Furunai at 20:15; no injuries or property damage were reported and police are patrolling the area.
Sendai 館, Miyagi
[Post] A bear was sitting at the side of the Akita Road. When I passed by, it ran off into the mountain on the left.
Akita, Akita
One bear (body length approx. 1–1.2 m) was sighted outside the fence on the north side of Akita Airport. Firecrackers were used and it fled toward the mountain side (Prefectural Central Park side).
Akita, Akita
One bear sighted.
Ōshū Mizusawa-Miyashitacho, Iwate
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
At about 23:10 on April 29, 2026, a kei car driving south on a municipal road in Minaminakayama 5-chome, Izumi-ku, Sendai collided with a bear that ran out from the left. The bear, about 1.5 meters long, fled into shrubbery on the west side of the road after the collision; the driver, a man in his 50s, was uninjured but the vehicle's left front light was damaged. The bear's whereabouts are currently unknown.
Sendai 西中山, Miyagi
Around 23:10 on the 29th, a single bear about 1.5 meters long collided with a light passenger car in Minamunakayama 5-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai. The car's left front was damaged but the male driver was not injured; the bear ran out from the east side of the road and left toward the woods on the west side.
Sendai 北中山, Miyagi
[Post]
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
[Report] While driving on the expressway toward Akita City, I spotted one adult bear on the left embankment. It was milling about, as if trying to come down onto the roadway.
Daisen, Akita
[Post] Witnessed while on the highway
Daisen, Akita
While driving on National Route 105 toward Omagari, I sighted a bear about 1.5 m long crossing the road from left to right in front of the car. It headed into the mountains to the southeast and left the area.
Daisen, Akita
While driving from Kyōwa toward Akita Airport, a bear crossed in front of our car and then entered the woods. A vehicle of people gathering wild plants was parked nearby.
Akita, 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
Around 16:20 on April 28, a passerby spotted a single bear about 70 cm long moving in the Nishikawa river in Tomiya-bussho, Tomiya City, and called emergency services. The bear moved in the river east of Route 4 and later departed to the west; there were no injuries, and police have stepped up warnings to nearby schools and increased vigilance.
Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi
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
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
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 13:40 on the 28th, a 110 call reported seeing something like a bear in a residential area of Tsurugaya 4-chome, Miyagino Ward, Sendai. According to the Sendai East Police Station, the sighting occurred about 300 meters northeast of Tsurugaya Kindergarten, and the station is urging caution in the area.
Sendai Jiyugaoka, Miyagi
At around 13:40 on April 28, a report was made of a "bear-like" animal in a residential area of Tsurugaya 4-chome, Miyagino-ku, Sendai. According to the Sendai East Police Station, the animal was sighted about 300 meters northeast of Tsurugaya Kindergarten, and the station has urged caution in the surrounding area.
Sendai Jiyugaoka, Miyagi
One bear approximately 1 m in body length was sighted near the south side of Takubono Swamp. The bear then ran west. The distance to the nearest house is about 200 m.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
At 02:45 on April 28, 2026, a roughly 1-meter-long bear was seen walking on a road in a residential area near Taihaku Park, Taihaku 1-chome, Sendai; a passing motorist reported it to police. The bear left northward into the woods; there were no injuries and police patrolled the area but did not find it.
Sendai Sahoyama, Miyagi
On 2026-04-28, one bear was sighted near Tsurukaya Kindergarten in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
Sendai Jiyugaoka, Miyagi
One adult bear sighted.
Ōshū, Iwate
At around 17:40 on the 27th, a local resident in Kurihara City, Tsukidate-Tomebarato-no-ki, reported seeing a bear about 1.5 m long. Just after 01:00 on the 28th, another bear about 1 m long was seen crossing National Route 4 in Tsukidate-Terukoshi Eihei; no injuries were reported. Police are patrolling the area and urging caution.
Kurihara 築館字留場, Miyagi
Climbed the steps of Karasumatsu-yama Shrine toward Atago-yama. An adult bear about 1.5 m in length. Approximately 20 m from a house.
Yokote Kamiuchi-machi, Akita
At around 17:35 on April 27, 2026, a man in his 50s at home spotted a bear approximately 1 meter long on the road in Kaminai-machi, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. The nearest house was about 20 meters away and Yokote Minami Elementary School about 500 meters; the police notified related agencies, patrolled the area by cruiser, and warned residents.
Yokote Kamiuchi-machi, Akita
On 2026-04-27 at around 16:45, a male elementary-school student returning home saw a bear climbing a tree in woodland north of Izumi High Support School in Anyoji 2-chome, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, and a guardian called 110. The Sendai East Police are warning local residents and schools; the bear is about 1 meter long and may be the same individual reported in earlier sightings.
Sendai Masue, Miyagi
Observed one bear about 1 m in body length while driving on National Route 105. Distance to the nearest house: 200 m.
Daisen, Akita
[Report] Spotted a bear walking across the river while driving
Daisen Kitanaraoka, Akita
While driving a rental car from the mountain side toward Akita Station, I saw an animal cross about 100 meters ahead. When I passed about 20 meters beside it, I saw a large, light chestnut-colored animal running. Its body was considerably larger than a dog, so I thought it was a bear and was startled, and I drove on.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Spotted a bear crossing the river on my commute
Akita Kawashiri-Shinkawamachi, Akita
Peak activity at 17:00 with 40 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.
No comments yet.
In the past 30 days, 500 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 130 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Akita Tegata-Yamanakamachi, Akita.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 17:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 441 km route runs from Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center to Kotodai Park, passing through Aomori, Akita, Miyagi, and Iwate. In the past 30 days, 500 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 130 of them. The latest sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Akita Tegata-Yamanakamachi, Akita. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
