This 174 km route from Chikusei to Aizuwakamatsu crosses Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 16 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 7 hours ago near Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi; the location sits about 99.6 km from the start of the route and 4.1 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Nishigo, Fukushima, sitting about 134.0 km from the start and 636 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Ibaraki, Fukushima, Tochigi.
A single bear was sighted swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. The man who saw it told reporters that it swam about 300 meters.
Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi
At around 14:25 on the 8th, a single bear was observed swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. The male witness told reporters that the bear swam about 300 meters.
Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi
A bear was sighted swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. A male witness told reporters that it swam about 300 meters.
Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi
A bear was reported sighted on a road in Nasu-Shiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article did not specify the exact time or location of the sighting, nor whether anyone was injured.
Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi
On April 26, 2026, a bear was sighted on a road in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The article reports the sighting; no detailed circumstances or information on injuries were provided.
Nasu 富岡, Tochigi
A bear was sighted in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. The full article is behind a paywall on the Shimotsuke Shimbun, so detailed information is not accessible.
Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi
On April 22, 2026, at the JSDF Shirakawa Nunobiki-yama training area in Nishigo Village, Fukushima, a male SDF member in his 30s was attacked by a bear while checking the site after firefighters and troops extinguished a grass fire caused by live-fire training. He was bitten on his right arm and left wrist, required five stitches, and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Nishigo, Fukushima
At the Shirakawa Nunobiki-yama training ground, dry grass ignited during live-fire training and a forest fire broke out; it was largely extinguished after about five hours. After firefighting, a male Self-Defense Forces member in his 30s was attacked by a bear while descending and suffered injuries to his arm and wrist.
Nishigo, Fukushima
A bear was reported in Nishigo Village, Fukushima Prefecture. The article reports the sighting but does not specify the exact location or whether there were any damages or injuries.
Nishigo 大字熊倉, Fukushima
At around 10:20 on April 18, 2026, a man driving on a prefectural road in Kumakura, Nishigo Village, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road. No damage has been confirmed in the area; the police are patrolling by patrol car and, in cooperation with the Nishigo village office, are urging residents to be cautious.
Nishigo 大字熊倉, Fukushima
On April 18 at around 10:20 AM in Kumakura Okanezuka, Saigō-mura, a single bear approximately 1 m in length was seen crossing the road.
Nishigo 大字熊倉, 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
A bear sighting report was issued for Nishigo Village, Fukushima Prefecture on 2026-04-15. The article body provides no specific details on the exact location, time, or number of bears.
Nishigo 大字熊倉, Fukushima
At around 18:40 on April 14, 2026, a person walking a dog spotted one bear about 1 meter long in a vacant lot along National Route 289 in Mafune, Saigō Village, Fukushima Prefecture. No injuries or damage have been confirmed; police are patrolling by patrol car and have informed the village office to warn residents.
Nishigo, Fukushima
On April 14, 2026, a single bear was reported sighted in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture, according to local newspapers. The reports mention sightings on roads and in forested areas, but do not give precise locations or indicate any damage or injuries.
Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi
Peak activity at 10:00 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, 16 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 7 hours ago near Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi; the location sits about 99.6 km from the start of the route and 4.1 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 10:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 174 km route from Chikusei to Aizuwakamatsu crosses Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 16 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 7 hours ago near Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi; the location sits about 99.6 km from the start of the route and 4.1 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Nishigo, Fukushima, sitting about 134.0 km from the start and 636 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
