This 152 km route from Chikusei to Aizuwakamatsu crosses Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 9 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 12 hours ago near Nasushiobara 関谷, Tochigi; the location sits about 80.3 km from the start of the route and 220 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 day ago at Nasushiobara 関谷, Tochigi, sitting about 80.1 km from the start and 116 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.
1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Ibaraki, Fukushima, Tochigi.
At around 14:25 on May 8, 2026, a single bear was observed swimming in Shiobara Dam in Nasushiobara City. The witness reported that the bear swam approximately 300 meters.
Nasushiobara 関谷, Tochigi
Nasushiobara 関谷, Tochigi
Nasushiobara, Tochigi
In Fukushima Prefecture, bear sightings were reported repeatedly from the night of April 24 to April 25, 2026, with individuals measuring about 0.5–1.5 meters observed. A bear was sighted near the Saitoyama trailhead (Saitoyama Tozanguchi) in Nagano, Onozandan, Minamiaizu Town at around 11:35 a.m. on April 25.
Minamiaizu Nagano, Fukushima
At the Saito-yama trailhead in Nagano Ozo-dan, Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture, a male hiker spotted one animal believed to be a bear about 50 cm in body length. The man left the area immediately; no injuries or property damage have been reported, and the police have stepped up patrols and warned hikers and local residents.
Minamiaizu Nagano, Fukushima
At around 07:15 on April 16, 2026, a driver on a town road in Tabu, Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted a juvenile bear about 0.5 m in length crossing the road from east to west. The bear left the area afterward; no injuries or damage to buildings have been reported. Police are patrolling and coordinating with the town office to warn residents.
Minamiaizu Tabe, Fukushima
Around 12:40 PM on the 15th, a teenage woman spotted one bear about 1 meter long on a road in Ashimaki, Oto-machi, Aizu-Wakamatsu. The bear entered the mountains afterward; no injuries were reported, and police and the city office are patrolling and urging caution.
Aizuwakamatsu Otomachi-Kamimiyorikashu, Fukushima
At around 12:40 PM on April 15, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a road in Otocho, Aizuwakamatsu City; it later entered the mountain. No injuries were reported, and police patrolled the area by patrol car and warned residents to be cautious.
Aizuwakamatsu Otomachi-Ashinomaki, Fukushima
Witnessed a bear running into the riverside brush. Body length approximately 60–80 cm.
Nikkō 上三依, Tochigi
Peak activity at 12:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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Over the past 30 days, 9 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).
The most recent sighting was reported 12 hours ago near Nasushiobara 関谷, Tochigi; the location sits about 80.3 km from the start of the route and 220 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 12:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 152 km route from Chikusei to Aizuwakamatsu crosses Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 9 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 12 hours ago near Nasushiobara 関谷, Tochigi; the location sits about 80.3 km from the start of the route and 220 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 day ago at Nasushiobara 関谷, Tochigi, sitting about 80.1 km from the start and 116 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.
