This 168 km route runs from Aomori to Fudai, passing through Aomori and Iwate. In the past 30 days, 78 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 20 of them. The latest sighting was reported 21 hours ago near Kuji, Iwate.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
At around 4:50 AM on May 21, 2026, one bear was sighted near Motonami No.12 Chiwari, Samurahama-cho, Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, and near the Motonami fishing port. The report was provided by the Daily Tohoku Shimbun.
Kuji, Iwate
On May 21, 2026, multiple bear sightings were reported in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, with the city's second and third sightings noted. The article does not specify exact locations or whether there were any damages or injuries.
Kuji Kawasakicho, Iwate
Around 04:30 on May 19, 2026, one bear was sighted in Shiramae No.2 Chiwari, Samurihama-cho, Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture (near Shiramae fishing port).
Kuji, Iwate
At around 6:40 AM on May 18, 2026, a single bear was sighted near 200 meters south of the Lawson Hachinohe Tagadai 1-chome store in Tagadai 1-chome, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hachinohe Ichikawamachi, Aomori
A single bear was reported sighted near Shiramai Fishing Port and Shiramai Daini-Chiwari, Samurahamacho, Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture at around 05:00 on May 18.
Kuji, Iwate
At around 07:30 on May 17, 2026, one bear was sighted near 300 meters west of Hachinohe Koudai Daini High School in Myodaikai, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hachinohe Myo, Aomori
On May 17, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture. The article reports the sighting but does not specify the exact location, time, or number of bears.
Kuji Kawasakicho, Iwate
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
On May 15, 2026 at around 15:30, an adult male Asian black bear (approx. 110 cm long, estimated 3 years old, about 100 kg) entered the CROSS TOWER A-BAY commercial complex in Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori City and remained inside for several hours. City staff and hunter association members set box traps and maintained a perimeter; at around 18:10 the bear was shot and killed under an emergency culling decision by the municipality, and there were no injuries.
Aomori Uramachi, Aomori
On 2026-05-15 a single bear entered a commercial complex building in central Aomori City and remained inside. Police and hunters responded, and the bear was culled inside the building shortly after 18:00.
Aomori Nishitaki, Aomori
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
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
On May 13, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Nanbu Town, Aomori Prefecture. The article did not provide specific time, exact location details, or the number of bears observed.
Nanbu Takahashi, Aomori
There were bear tracks in the field. From the tracks, it looked like the bear had been coming and going through the field.
Rokunohe Komatsugaoka 1-chome, Aomori
I heard the sound of a branch breaking, looked toward the slope, and saw a bear, so I backed away and ran. It was at a distance, but I think it was about 150 cm. I was panicked and did not take any photos.
Hachinohe Sakaushi, Aomori
On May 11, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture. The article does not provide a specific time, exact location details, or the number of bears.
Hirono Taneichi, Iwate
A bear cub was sighted in the hot spring area 'Tenku no Onsenkyo' in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, and the head priest urged visitors to take their offerings home. Bears have been appearing in many places, and sightings in Hachinohe have continued for five consecutive days.
Hachinohe Babacho, Aomori
Around 8:10 a.m. on May 10, 2026, one bear was sighted in the woodland north of Misawa Park in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture.
Misawa Inuotose, Aomori
At around 08:10 on May 10, 2026, one bear was sighted in Shinmachi 4-chome and around Misawa Park in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture.
Misawa Furumakiyama, Aomori
Around 08:10 on May 9, a resident spotted one young bear in the garden of a house in Genmichi, Kuji City. The cub ran north, no injuries or damage were reported, and police are urging local residents to be cautious.
Kuji Gendo, Iwate
A bear sighting in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, was reported on May 9, 2026. The article does not provide specific location details, time, or information about any damage.
Kuji Kawasakicho, Iwate
At around 07:10 on May 8, 2026, one bear was sighted near Nakairin, Nakairin-aza, Hachinohe City. No damage was reported; the location is about 400 meters west of Nakairin Park.
Hachinohe Nakaibayashi, Aomori
At around 07:10 on May 8, a single bear was sighted in Nakaibayashi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture (about 400 meters west of Nakaibayashi Park). No damage was reported; the city has warned local residents and the hunters' association is responding by setting box traps.
Hachinohe Nakaibayashi, Aomori
Around 07:10 on 2026-05-08, one bear was sighted in Nakairin, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. The sighting occurred in an area with homes and educational facilities; no damage was reported, and the city has warned residents and schools, deploying capture traps and maintaining vigilance.
Hachinohe Nakaibayashi, Aomori
Around 16:00 on May 7, bear-like footprints were found in Saihatake (幸畑), Aomori City. No damage has been confirmed; the site is southeast of the Hakkoda Mountain Snow March Disaster Museum, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Kobata, Aomori
On the afternoon of May 7, 2026, a single bear was reported sighted near Nakairin Park in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. No specific damages were reported.
Hachinohe Nakaibayashi, Aomori
Around 12:40 p.m. on May 7, 2026, one bear was sighted in a roadside forest about 600 meters west of Nakairin Park in Nukazuka-Osawa, Hachinohe City.
Hachinohe Nakaibayashi, Aomori
At around 12:40 on May 7, 2026, one bear was sighted in Ōsawa (Nukazuka), Hachinohe City; no damage was reported. The city has urged nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Hachinohe Nukazuka, Aomori
On May 7, 2026 at around 11:30 AM, a single bear cub was sighted in Oura-Kubokashira, Tōhoku Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Tohoku, Aomori
Around 08:00 on the 7th, one bear was sighted near the Kaneya Industrial Park in Kaneya, Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. The article does not report any injuries or damage.
Rokunohe, Aomori
At 18:45 on May 6, 2026, one bear was sighted near Oura Suketajurosaki in Tohoku-machi, Aomori Prefecture. The report only notes the sighting; no further damage was reported.
Tohoku, Aomori
Around 13:00 on May 6, 2026, a black bear (about 1 meter long) was spotted in a residential area of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture; the prefecture carried out its first-ever 'emergency gunning' to cull the individual. Warnings about bear appearances had been issued since April.
Hachinohe Babacho, Aomori
Around 12:30 PM on May 6, 2026, one bear was sighted at Oura Sukesaburozaki in Tohoku Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Tohoku, Aomori
A bear sighting in Tohoku Town, Aomori Prefecture, was reported on May 6, 2026. The article did not provide detailed time, location, or the number of bears.
Tohoku 上野, Aomori
Around 18:00 on May 5, 2026, one bear was sighted near Furudate in Ichikawa-cho, Hachinohe City. The sighting was reported approximately 500 meters southwest of the Ichikawa post office.
Hachinohe, Aomori
Around 17:00 on 2026-05-05, a parent-and-cub bear appeared in the precincts (cemetery) of Ganjoji temple in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture; people visiting the graves sighted the bears. Three people sheltered in a nearby hall, police arrived about ten minutes after the report, and the temple posted warnings asking visitors to take offerings home.
Hachinohe Ichikawamachi, Aomori
A bear sighting was reported on 2026-05-05 in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. The article only reports the sighting and does not specify the exact location, time, or number of animals.
Hachinohe Babacho, Aomori
At around 08:00 on May 4, 2026, one bear was sighted near the Yonezawa Community Center in Shimoyoshida Yonezawa, Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Rokunohe Shimoyoshita, Aomori
At around 06:30 on May 4, one bear was reported sighted in Nejo-Okubo, Hachinohe City. No injuries or reports of capture were reported.
Hachinohe Sawasato, Aomori
Around 17:00 on May 1, 2026, one bear was sighted along National Route 45 in the Toruiya district (戸類家地区) of Hirono Town (洋野町), Iwate Prefecture.
Hirono, Iwate
On April 30, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture. The article does not provide specific location details or the time of the sighting.
Kuji Kawasakicho, Iwate
Around 18:30 on April 29, one bear was reported sighted near Sugisawa Higashi Kobashi in Nanbu Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Nanbu Sugisawa, Aomori
A bear sighting was reported in Nanbu Town, Aomori Prefecture on April 29, 2026. The article does not specify the time or the number of bears.
Nanbu Takahashi, Aomori
On April 29, two bear sightings were reported in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. The article reports the sightings but does not provide details on any damage or precise locations.
Hachinohe Babacho, Aomori
An adult bear was sighted in Hachinohe (Myobunshi area, about 200 m north of Kanisawa Waterworks Park) on April 28, 2026 at around 18:40. On the previous day, April 27, 2026 at about 17:00, an adult bear was also reported near an agricultural road about 400 m south of the municipal final waste disposal site in Kushibiki Iri-sawa, Hachinohe.
Hachinohe Myo, Aomori
Around 17:00 on April 28, 2026, one Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) was sighted in Hachinohe City, Samecho Takamori (near the north side of Hachinohe Gakuin University); no damage or injuries were reported. The city has urged nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Hachinohe, Aomori
In Hachinohe's Okubo, a bear was filmed shortly after 1:00 PM putting its paws on a fence along the grounds of a school. Between about 10:30 AM on April 28 and before 8:00 AM on April 29 there were five sightings in the Kanahama and Okubo areas; the prefecture has issued an Asiatic black bear advisory and urged people not to approach.
Hachinohe Okubo, Aomori
On April 28 in Hachinohe City, four separate sightings of one bear each were reported. No human injuries or damages were confirmed, and the city has urged residents and passersby to be cautious.
Hachinohe Mihono, Aomori
At around 08:30 on April 28, 2026, one bear cub was sighted in Shindate Hachiman, Tohoku Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Tohoku 新舘, Aomori
On April 28, 2026, three bear sightings were reported in Hashikami Town, Aomori Prefecture. One bear was seen near Dobutsu Sasa-bata at around 08:10, one near Aomaehigashi 2-chome (by Izumi Hall Hashikami) at about 11:50, and one near Aomaehigashi 1-chome (by JA Hachinohe Hashikami branch) at around 12:00.
Hashikami Dobutsu, Aomori
At around 07:56 on April 28, 2026, one Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) was sighted near the west side of Korekawa Central Park in Korekawa 1-chome, Hachinohe. No damage was reported, and the city has urged nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Hachinohe Korekawa, Aomori
In Hachinohe City, bear sightings in residential areas have increased; on April 28 a bear was seen leaning on a fence along the grounds of Hachinohe Daiichi Special Needs School. The city judged the situation dangerous, set new capture traps, is consulting with universities on countermeasures, and plans to conduct an emergency hunting drill later this month.
Hachinohe Okubo, Aomori
Around 17:00 on April 27, 2026, one adult bear was sighted in a wooded area near a farm road about 400 meters south of the municipal general waste final disposal site near Kushibiki-nyuusawa, Hachinohe.
Hachinohe Sakaushi, Aomori
Around 15:00 on April 27, 2026, one bear was sighted near Kosode Elementary School (municipal) in Ubecho, Kuji City.
Kuji, Iwate
A bear sighting was reported in Tōhoku Town, Aomori Prefecture. The incident date is April 27, 2026; the article does not specify the exact time, precise location, or number of bears.
Tohoku 上野, Aomori
At around 14:00 on April 26, 2026, one bear was sighted near Fureai Dome Kamikita in Tōhoku Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Tohoku 上野, Aomori
Around 14:00 on April 26, a bear was sighted in Oura Aketomukai, Tohoku Town, Aomori Prefecture. A bear was also reported the same day near the Fureai Dome Kamikita.
Tohoku 上野, Aomori
A single bear was sighted in Myodaikai, Hachinohe City on April 25, 2026 at around 16:40. Sightings were also reported near Hachinohe Institute of Technology Second High School.
Hachinohe Myo, Aomori
Around 16:30 on April 25, 2026, a security camera at a residence in Sōmaenishi 2-chome, Hashikami Town, captured a bear over one meter long running through the property. The bear headed toward the road and then entered the bushes; the area near the scene includes a junior high school, high school, and university.
Hashikami, Aomori
At around 10:30 AM on April 25, 2026, the town reported that one bear was sighted near the Shichinohe Sewage Treatment Center in the Oike area of Shichinohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Shichinohe 大池, Aomori
A single bear was sighted near Rikuchu-Nakano Station on the JR Hachinohe Line in Nakano, Hirono Town, at around 18:50 on April 24, 2026.
Hirono Nakano, Iwate
At around 15:30 on April 24, 2026, one bear was sighted near the former Fureai Shoyo-kan in Inuarase, Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Rokunohe, Aomori
On April 24 at around 10:00 AM, one bear cub was sighted near the Sakae-cho community hall in Tohoku Town, and at around 11:10 AM the same day a bear cub believed to be the same individual was sighted near the Minami General Sports Park in the same town.
Tohoku 上野, Aomori
A single bear was sighted near the community center in Sakaemachi, Tōhoku Town, Aomori Prefecture on the morning of April 24, 2026.
Tohoku 上野, Aomori
Around 08:30 on April 24, 2026, a single bear cub was sighted in Kuji City at Ubecho Dai-1 Chiwari and near the Ogura public funeral ground.
Kuji, Iwate
Around 07:00 on April 24, 2026, the town announced that a single juvenile bear was sighted on the road west of Tatenodai housing complex in Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. No injuries were reported.
Rokunohe Inuotose, Aomori
Before 16:00 on April 23, one bear about 1 meter long was sighted near Tsutsumijiri, Tatesaki, Towada City, crossing a prefectural road and walking south. No damage was reported, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Towada Tachizaki, Aomori
Around 15:48 on April 23, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted at Tsukasaki Tsutsumijiri (Takasaki?), Towada City; it crossed a prefectural road and walked south. No injuries or damage were reported, and the city has urged nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Towada Tachizaki, Aomori
Around 12:15 PM on April 22, a motorist spotted one juvenile bear near the Aomori Expressway in Suwasawa, Aomori City. No injuries or damage were reported.
Aomori Suwanosawa, Aomori
At around 09:00 on April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted south of the Hachinohe Liquefied Gas Shichinohe office in the Arakuma-uchi district of Shichinohe Town.
Shichinohe 荒熊内, Aomori
Peak activity at 15:00 with 9 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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In the past 30 days, 78 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 20 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 21 hours ago near Kuji, Iwate.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 15:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 168 km route runs from Aomori to Fudai, passing through Aomori and Iwate. In the past 30 days, 78 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 20 of them. The latest sighting was reported 21 hours ago near Kuji, Iwate. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
