This 5.4 km route from Banna-ji Temple to Banna-ji Temple crosses Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Ashikaga 月谷町, Tochigi; the location sits about 416 m from the start of the route and 1.9 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Ashikaga 巴町, Tochigi, sitting about 4.8 km from the start and 298 m off the route line.
With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
At around 11:55 on May 8, 2026, an animal believed to be an Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted on a mountain path near 1579 Tsukidani-cho, Ashikaga City (around Gyodozan Join-ji). The area is a popular hiking course.
Ashikaga 月谷町, Tochigi
Around 18:00 on April 25, 2026, a suspected Asian black bear was sighted in Ashikaga City, near 100 m east of Kotani Benten in Honjo 1-chome. This location is about 1.7 km north of Orihime Park where a bear was seen on April 17.
Ashikaga 江川町, Tochigi
On 2026-04-23, a bear was reported sighted in a field in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article did not provide details of the sighting or whether there were any damages or injuries.
Ashikaga 雪輪町, Tochigi
On the morning of April 21, 2026, one bear was sighted on the riverside in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.
Ashikaga 雪輪町, Tochigi
Around 07:20 on April 21, 2026, an animal believed to be an Asian black bear was sighted on the riverbank in Oomae-cho, Ashikaga City. The sighting occurred about 150 m southwest of the Oomae baseball field, roughly 1.4 km west of Yamamae Station on the JR Ryomo Line; it may have come down the Matsudagawa River.
Ashikaga 大前町, Tochigi
Ashikaga 葉鹿南町, Tochigi
Around 18:30 on April 17, 2026, a bear believed to be an Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted at Orihime Park in Tomoecho, Ashikaga City. The report was based on Ashikaga City's official X account; the sighting occurred in an urban area near Orihime Shrine and the city hall.
Ashikaga 巴町, Tochigi
Ashikaga 巴町, Tochigi
Peak activity at 18:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Ashikaga 月谷町, Tochigi; the location sits about 416 m from the start of the route and 1.9 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 18:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 5.4 km route from Banna-ji Temple to Banna-ji Temple crosses Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Ashikaga 月谷町, Tochigi; the location sits about 416 m from the start of the route and 1.9 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Ashikaga 巴町, Tochigi, sitting about 4.8 km from the start and 298 m off the route line. With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
