This 24.5 km route from Ginkaku-ji Temple to Kita Ward, Kyoto crosses Kyoto and Shiga. Over the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Kyoto, Kyoto; the location sits about 9.0 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Kyoto, Kyoto, sitting about 18.3 km from the start and 15 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.
On the night of May 6, 2026, two residents in a residential area of Nishigamo, Kita Ward, Kyoto City reported to the Kita Police Station and the ward office that they saw one young bear-like animal around 8:00 PM. The site was a field west of the Nishigamo city bus garage, and the ward office put up warning signs on the morning of the 7th.
Kyoto, Kyoto
A bear was sighted on the back mountain of Ninna-ji, and the popular hillside spot was closed to entry.
Kyoto, Kyoto
Ninna-ji, a World Heritage site in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, announced a temporary ban on entering Mount Jōju after bear sightings in the ward. The temple grounds remain open for worship; on April 25, three bears were confirmed along the Kiyotaki River about 5 km away, with no damage reported.
Kyoto, Kyoto
At around 10:05 a.m. on the 25th, a 40-year-old local man spotted three bears along the Kiyotaki River in Umegahata Tono-hata-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. One bear believed to be an adult was about 150–170 cm long; the bears slowly walked upstream along the river and police who went to the scene were unable to confirm them.
Kyoto, Kyoto
Around 10:00 on the 25th, three bears (one adult about 1.8 m long and two cubs) were sighted near Kōzan-ji in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. After a witness shouted in surprise the bears fled north; no injuries or damage were reported.
Kyoto, Kyoto
At around 10:00 on April 25, 2026, three bears were reported near the Kiyotaki River by Kōyasan in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. According to Ukyo Ward, this was the first sighting in the ward this year, and long-time residents were surprised.
Kyoto, Kyoto
On April 25, three bears presumed to be a mother and two cubs were sighted along the Kiyotaki River in Umekabeta, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. In response, Ninnaji Temple banned entry to the Omuro 88-site pilgrimage area north of its grounds from April 30 and cancelled related walking events. No damage or injuries have been reported.
Kyoto, Kyoto
On April 25 in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto City, observers reported one adult bear about 1.8 m long and two cubs; the group was seen fleeing north. People are being advised to back away calmly if they encounter the bears.
Kyoto, Kyoto
Peak activity at 10:00 with 4 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.
No comments yet.
Over the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 2 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Kyoto, Kyoto; the location sits about 9.0 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 10:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 24.5 km route from Ginkaku-ji Temple to Kita Ward, Kyoto crosses Kyoto and Shiga. Over the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Kyoto, Kyoto; the location sits about 9.0 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Kyoto, Kyoto, sitting about 18.3 km from the start and 15 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.
