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  4. Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa Drive

Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa Drive

Driving · Moderate Risk · 212 km · 3h 17m · 2 stops · 6 sightings · Saved May 16, 2026 · Last updated 8 hours ago
0 views
3
Incidents in last 7 days
6
Incidents in last 30 days
18 hours ago
Latest Incident

Safety Summary

This 212 km route from Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa crosses Chiba, Nagano, Gunma, Saitama, and Tokyo. Over the past 30 days, 6 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 18 hours ago near Karuizawa, Nagano; the location sits about 207.3 km from the start of the route and 1.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano, sitting about 212.3 km from the start and 11 m off the route line.

With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.

Your Route

Route Profile

Highlights Along Your Route (12)

12 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Chiba, Nagano, Gunma, Saitama, Tokyo.

Chiba City Museum of Art
Low Risk

Chiba City Museum of Art

Chiba

No incidents

Mama River
Low Risk

Mama River

Chiba

No incidents

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo shuku
Low Risk

Matsudo shuku

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo Shrine
Low Risk

Matsudo Shrine

Chiba

No incidents

Misato Park
Low Risk

Misato Park

Saitama

No incidents

Kawaguchi Green Center
Low Risk

Kawaguchi Green Center

Saitama

No incidents

Chiba City Museum of Art
Low Risk

Chiba City Museum of Art

Chiba

No incidents

Mama River
Low Risk

Mama River

Chiba

No incidents

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Shin-Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Gyōtoku Bridge
Low Risk

Gyōtoku Bridge

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo shuku
Low Risk

Matsudo shuku

Chiba

No incidents

Matsudo Shrine
Low Risk

Matsudo Shrine

Chiba

No incidents

Misato Park
Low Risk

Misato Park

Saitama

No incidents

Kawaguchi Green Center
Low Risk

Kawaguchi Green Center

Saitama

No incidents

Route Timeline

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S
Chiba City Museum of Art, Chiba
Moderate Risk 212 km 3h 17m 6 sightings within 5 km
Karuizawa, Nagano

A black bear was standing on all four paws at the roadside.

Karuizawa, Nagano

18 hours ago

Size: Adult

Karuizawa, Nagano

Official ·3 days ago
Annaka, Gunma

It was a cub about 1 meter long. It immediately went off to the left and disappeared from view. I turned back.

Annaka, Gunma

5 days ago
Show 3 more

It was watching us from a distance along the Apt Trail.

Annaka, Gunma

1 week ago
Annaka 松井田町五料, Gunma

Annaka 松井田町五料, Gunma

Official ·2 weeks ago
Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano

Karuizawa Town in Kitasaku District has temporarily shifted its policy from releasing captured bears after 'learning' to euthanizing them for a limited period. The change responds to repeated human injuries and appearances of bears in residential areas across the prefecture and concerns that bears' wide-ranging movements could cause harm to neighboring municipalities.

Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano

News ·2 weeks ago
G
Karuizawa, Nagano
Total Distance: 212 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 12:00 with 1 incidents

Asian black bears on your route

Asian Black Bear

Asian Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus japonicus

Range
Honshu, Shikoku
Size
80–120 kg
Active
Dawn & dusk

Sharing space safely

  • ·Make noise as you walk; carry bear spray
  • ·If charged, stand firm and use the spray
  • ·If contact happens, resist firmly. They retreat when met with resistance
  • ·Don't climb. They climb better than you

Safety Checklist

Hiking in bear country

Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.

Emergency Contacts

110
Police
119
Fire/Ambulance

For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.

Trip Report - Lake Biwa
Bear risk analysis map showing route with safety levels
Very High Risk
High Risk
Moderate Risk
Low Risk

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

Over the past 30 days, 6 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).

When and where was the most recent bear sighting near this route?

The most recent sighting was reported 18 hours ago near Karuizawa, Nagano; the location sits about 207.3 km from the start of the route and 1.6 km off the route line.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 12:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 212 km route from Chiba City Museum of Art to Karuizawa crosses Chiba, Nagano, Gunma, Saitama, and Tokyo. Over the past 30 days, 6 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 18 hours ago near Karuizawa, Nagano; the location sits about 207.3 km from the start of the route and 1.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Karuizawa 中軽井沢, Nagano, sitting about 212.3 km from the start and 11 m off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.

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