This 75.7 km route from Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center to Towada crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 11 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 4 days ago near Aomori Nozawa, Aomori; the location sits about 7.8 km from the start of the route and 4.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Towada, Aomori, sitting about 46.4 km from the start and 976 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
Following a bear sighting at the Komakino archaeological site, the city suspended visits to the site from May 8. There is no set date for reopening and the closure may last through May, while the related facility "Jomon no Manabiya Komakino-kan" remains open as usual.
Aomori Nozawa, Aomori
Around 16:00 on May 7, bear-like footprints were found in Saihatake (幸畑), Aomori City. No damage has been confirmed; the site is southeast of the Hakkoda Mountain Snow March Disaster Museum, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Kobata, Aomori
Around midday on May 7, 2026, a visitor at the Komakino ruins in Nozawa, Aomori City, spotted one bear entering the surrounding forest from the observation area. For safety, visits to the ruins were suspended from the afternoon of the same day and the adjacent facility "Komakino no Mori・Donguri no Ie" was temporarily closed; reopening is undecided.
Aomori Nozawa, Aomori
At about 12:55 on May 7, 2026, one Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted entering the woodland east of the Komakino archaeological site observatory in Nozawa, Aomori City. No injuries or damage were reported; the city has warned nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Nozawa, Aomori
Around noon on May 7 a bear was sighted at the Komakino archaeological site in Aomori City, and viewing of the site has been suspended from the afternoon of the same day. The related exhibition facility, Jomon no Manabiya Komakino, remains open as usual.
Aomori Nozawa, Aomori
On May 7, 2026, one bear was sighted within the grounds of the Komakino archaeological site in Nozawa, Aomori City. The Aomori City Board of Education announced on May 8 that visits are suspended, and the reopening date is undecided.
Aomori Nozawa, Aomori
On May 3, 2026, around 11:00 a.m., one bear was sighted near Shimeikei on the Oirase stream in Okuse, Towada City.
Towada, Aomori
There was one in an open area a short distance down a forestry road. It was sniffing around the ground, so maybe it was hungry?
Towada, Aomori
A bear was sighted near the Ishigedo rest area on the Oirase Stream in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, around midday on April 24, 2026.
Towada, Aomori
The city announced that a single cub was sighted near the Ishikedo rest area of the Oirase Stream in Towada City at around 11:50 a.m. on the 24th.
Towada, Aomori
A bear was sighted in Towada City, Sanbongi Shimokawahara on April 19, 2026 at about 10:45 AM. Then on April 20 at around 1:30 PM a single adult bear about 80 cm long was confirmed in Towada City, Aisaka Shirakami.
Towada, Aomori
Peak activity at 12:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 11 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 4 days ago near Aomori Nozawa, Aomori; the location sits about 7.8 km from the start of the route and 4.4 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 12:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 75.7 km route from Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center to Towada crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 11 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 4 days ago near Aomori Nozawa, Aomori; the location sits about 7.8 km from the start of the route and 4.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Towada, Aomori, sitting about 46.4 km from the start and 976 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
