This 79.6 km route from Hanamaki to Hachimantai crosses Iwate. Over the past 30 days, 74 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 32 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 Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate; the location sits about 8.0 km from the start of the route and 2.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 month ago at Morioka, Iwate, sitting about 56.4 km from the start and 285 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
According to police, around 15:00 on May 15, 2026, one adult bear was sighted in the grassland north of the Hanamaki City Exchange Hall in Katsura Daisan Chiwari, Hanamaki City. Police notified the city office and nearby schools.
Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate
One bear sighted in an apple orchard.
Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate
Around 23:55 on May 14, an adult bear was sighted on a road east of Motomiya Children's Park in Motomiya 2-chome, Morioka. Police patrolled the area by patrol car and spotted the bear near the west side of Motomiya Elementary School, but it entered a residential area and its whereabouts became unknown; no damage has been reported.
Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate
On the morning of May 14, 2026, one adult bear was sighted on the campus of Iwate University in Morioka, near the gymnasium. The university canceled all classes for the day and urged people to remain inside buildings.
Morioka, Iwate
On the morning of May 14, 2026, an apparently adult bear was sighted on the grounds of Iwate University in Morioka. The university urged people to stay inside buildings and canceled all classes for the day.
Morioka, Iwate
At around 07:40 on the 14th, a police officer spotted one adult bear near the Dōhō dormitory at Iwate University in Ueda, Morioka. The city ordered an emergency shooting operation and restricted passage within a 200-meter radius northwest of the university, but the bear hid in undergrowth and was lost so it could not be culled; the shooting operation was lifted around 17:00 and authorities switched to box traps and conducted night patrols. The university canceled classes from the second period onward that day and suspended in-person classes on the 15th, asking dormitory residents to stay indoors.
Morioka, Iwate
At around 07:40 on May 14, an adult bear was sighted on the campus of Iwate University near the dormitory in Ueda, Morioka City, and remained on campus as of 18:00. The city used drones to locate the bear and decided on an emergency shooting after 14:30, but canceled it when the bear hid in the thicket; no damage has been reported and traps were set with nighttime patrols planned.
Morioka Shimoota-Shinden, Iwate
At around 07:30 on May 14, 2026, one bear was sighted on the campus of Iwate University in Morioka (near the dormitory), and it remains on the grounds. Police and city officials are using drones to monitor the situation; some morning classes were canceled, no injuries or property damage have been reported, and the city is considering capture by tranquilizer or emergency culling.
Morioka Shimoota-Shinden, Iwate
Around 06:30 on May 14, 2026, one bear was sighted at Iwate University in Morioka City and remained on the campus into the afternoon. In response, Morioka City decided to carry out an emergency culling by gun, the first such measure in the city.
Morioka, Iwate
At around 06:30 on May 14, an adult bear was sighted near the First Gymnasium on the Iwate University campus, and about an hour later another adult bear was seen near a university dormitory. The university canceled all classes for May 14, asked dorm residents to refrain from going out and warned students to stay inside, while police and prefectural staff continued to monitor the campus. Separately, at around 05:30 the same day an adult bear was also sighted near Iwate Junior & Senior High School in Nagatacho, Morioka.
Morioka, Iwate
On May 14, 2026 at around 06:30, a bear was sighted near the First Gymnasium of Iwate University Ueda Campus in Morioka City, and at about 07:50 another sighting was reported near the Dohou student dormitory. Morioka city and the Iwate prefectural police responded, and the university canceled classes from the second period onward and urged students to go home safely.
Morioka, Iwate
On the morning of May 14 a single adult bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the Iwate University campus in Ueda, Morioka (near the dormitory). The city authorized an emergency shooting operation but could not locate the bear, switched to box traps, and the university canceled classes; no injuries or property damage were reported.
Morioka Shimoota-Shinden, Iwate
Around 05:30 on May 14, 2026, a bear was sighted near Iwate High School in Nagata-cho, Morioka. On the same day, bears were also reported on the Iwate University campus, and the university canceled some classes.
Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate
On the morning of May 14, an adult bear about 1 meter long was sighted at Iwate University Ueda Campus in Ueda, Morioka, and the university canceled classes through May 15. Police are patrolling the area and said they will take action to cull the bear if its location is confirmed.
Morioka, Iwate
Bear sightings were reported in Morioka between the 13th and the morning of the 14th; around 05:30 a bear was seen near Iwate Junior/Senior High School in Nagatacho, and around 07:40 one was seen near a dormitory on Iwate University's Ueda campus. Police officers confirmed one adult bear on the university grounds but its subsequent whereabouts are unknown; Iwate University canceled the second-period classes and urged students to stay inside.
Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate
On the morning of May 14, an adult bear was sighted on the campus of Iwate University in Morioka. Around 05:30 it was seen near Iwate High School in Nagatacho, and at 07:40 police officers sighted the bear near the university dormitory "Dohoryo". As of 13:00 the bear was believed to remain on campus, with police and a hunters' association on alert; the university canceled all classes. No injuries or damage have been reported.
Morioka Shimoota-Shinden, Iwate
On May 14, 2026, one bear appeared at Iwate University in Morioka City and remained on the campus. Morioka City decided to carry out an emergency culling and canceled classes, but the shooting was called off due to sunset.
Morioka, Iwate
There were what appeared to be droppings of a young animal on the road.
Morioka, Iwate
Saw what appeared to be a mother bear and cub at night.
Morioka Atagoshita, Iwate
On the evening of May 13 a single bear was filmed running north across the lawn of Takamatsu Park in Morioka City. According to the city, there were six sightings around Takamatsu Park between the 13th and the morning of the 14th, and the city and police have increased patrols and warnings.
Morioka Atagoshita, Iwate
Around 16:30 on May 13, an adult bear was sighted near the Takamatsu Park rose garden in Ueda Kogamori, Morioka; it moved north toward Uedazutsumi. Police warned nearby schools and residents and patrolled the area by patrol car; no bear-related damage has been confirmed.
Morioka Atagoshita, Iwate
An adult bear was sighted near the Tsunagi multipurpose sports ground. It moved toward the Goshoko (Gosho Lake) area.
Morioka, Iwate
While working in the fields, I spotted a small bear. It noticed me and seemed to run off toward the mountains.
Morioka Kamiota-Uwaze, Iwate
One bear sighted near the garage of a residence.
Morioka Sanbonyanagi, Iwate
Around 18:30 on May 9, three bears were sighted in Kamisuwa, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, with no human or property damage reported. On May 10 at 15:09, a small bear was sighted on the grounds of Hanamaki Agricultural High School at 68-__ Katsura Dai-1 Chiwari, Hanamaki City.
Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Eso, Iwate
At around 08:50 on May 10, 2026, one bear was sighted in the parking lot of an apartment near Higashi-Anniwa 2-chome, Morioka City. The Morioka East Police Station alerted nearby residents; no damage from the bear has been reported.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
At around 08:25 on May 10 a single adult bear was reported swimming north to south in the Kitakami River west of 1-30 Higashi-An'niwa 2-chome in Morioka. At about 08:50 the same bear was also seen in an apartment parking lot in the same area; police issued warnings and no injuries were reported.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
At around 08:25 on May 10, a passerby reported seeing an adult bear swimming north to south across the Kitakami River near Higashi-An'niwa 2-chome in Morioka City. Police issued local warnings and no damage from the bear has been confirmed.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
Empty honey boxes with the honey removed and the place where the frames were kept were ransacked.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
At around 18:30 on the 9th, three bears were sighted walking in Kamisuwa, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. No human or property damage was reported.
Hanamaki Kamisuwa, Iwate
Bear feces are on the road. There are bear tracks nearby.
Morioka Kamiota-Uwaze, Iwate
Bear in the trail on return to resort. Waited 10-15 minutes for it to leave and continued past
Hachimantai, Iwate
Three bears were sighted in Kamisuwa, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture; no human or property damage has been confirmed.
Hanamaki Kamisuwa, Iwate
At around 05:30 on May 8, a resident saw one adult bear crossing a prefectural road about 500 meters south of Nishine Daiichi Junior High School in Horikiri, Hachimantai City. Police have urged local residents to be cautious, and no bear-related damage has been reported.
Hachimantai 上関, Iwate
A beehive box at the apiary beside the house was knocked over, and one frame was damaged.
Morioka Shimokuriyagawa, Iwate
In Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, authorities issued a state of emergency following the appearance of an Asian black bear. The city is urging residents to prioritize actions that protect their lives.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
Around 18:30 on May 7, in a residential area of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, residents spotted a bear about one meter long walking in a private garden and on the road; security camera footage appears to show the same individual. On the day of reporting, the hunters' association responded to a bear caught in a trap at a nearby ranch.
Hanamaki Kajomachi, Iwate
On May 7 between 18:15 and 18:50, multiple people observed one adult bear wandering on the road in Kōchi, Ishidoriyacho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. No damage from the bear has been confirmed, and police are warning nearby residents to be cautious.
Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Kochi, Iwate
On the morning of May 7, a woman was found unconscious in a mountain forest in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture. She had injuries believed to be from an animal's claws, and police are investigating on suspicion she was attacked by a bear.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
In Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, a woman in her 60s who went out to pick wild plants was reported missing from May 6; during a search, her body was found in the mountains of the city on the morning of May 7 at around 8:00. The body showed signs of an animal attack, and police are investigating the cause of death, considering the possibility that she was attacked by a bear.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
According to the Iwate Prefectural Police, on May 7, 2026, the body of a woman in her 60s was found in a mountain in Hachimantai City. Her face and head had scratch wounds consistent with an animal attack, and police suspect she may have been attacked by a bear; she had been missing since May 6 after going out to pick wild plants.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
Sighted one bear crossing the roadway.
Morioka Higashimirumae, Iwate
The body of a woman believed to be in her 60s was found in a forest in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture; scratch wounds on her face suggest she may have been attacked by a bear. Reports say the woman had gone missing after going out to gather wild plants.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
Around 10:30 a.m. on the 4th in Hanamaki (Ishidoriya-cho, Kitaterabayashi), caretaker Kiyoshi Sameguchi found an overturned bucket near a chicken coop with feed scattered. Family members saw one adult bear nearby and reported it to the city; police and the hunting association set a trap at 1:00 p.m. and are on alert.
Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Kitaterabayashi, Iwate
Inside Ishidoriya Fureai Sports Park
Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Kitaterabayashi, Iwate
One bear sighted in the hot spring facility parking lot
Morioka, Iwate
Rice bran had been placed beside the field the reporter rents; two bags were torn into, and bear droppings and footprints on the mulch were found.
Morioka, Iwate
A black bear (about 1 m) was rummaging through apple crates looking for apples.
Morioka Kado, Iwate
The field plastic mulch was torn, and there were footprints. The compost was disturbed.
Morioka, Iwate
Hachimantai 安比高原, Iwate
According to Morioka West Police, at around 13:50 on May 1, 2026, a passerby sighted one bear-like animal wandering near the municipal road east of Morioka Juvenile Prison at 15-1 Tsukigaoka 2-chome, Morioka City. The direction it went is unknown, and no human or property damage has been confirmed.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
On May 1, 2026, sightings of a presumed adult bear were reported multiple times in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The bear was seen at 10:50 near the FamilyMart Shibutami store in Shimoda, at 13:50 wandering on the road in Tsukigaoka 2-chome, and at 18:37 knocking over apple boxes in front of a shed in Mon/Suma; no human or property damage was reported.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
At around 10:50 on May 1, a single young bear was seen walking near the FamilyMart Shibutami store in Shimoda, Morioka City, and walked toward Shibutami Station. No injuries or damage were reported, and police have warned local residents to be cautious.
Morioka, Iwate
There are round footprints on the ridges I made. About 15 centimeters in diameter. Could it be a bear?
Morioka, Iwate
was running on the sidewalk
Takizawa 篠木荒屋, Iwate
Bear sighted near the hot spring facility.
Takizawa 大沢舛村, Iwate
Around 17:20 on April 27, 2026, a passerby sighted one adult bear near the north-side waterway of Takizawa Minami Junior High in Ukai, Takizawa City. According to the Morioka West Police Station, no damage was confirmed. There were also daytime sightings in the surrounding area.
Takizawa 鵜飼滝向, Iwate
Around 14:00 on April 27, one bear was sighted near Mantoku, Dobuchi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The city has urged nearby residents to be cautious.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
At around 05:40 on April 27, 2026, an adult bear was sighted near Hiijono Sports Park in Matsuzono-cho, Hanamaki City. Matsuzono Nursery is nearby; the city and police monitored the area, and no damage has been reported.
Hanamaki Matsuzonocho, Iwate
In Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, a fire brigade member was attacked by a bear; this occurred the day before a police officer was attacked. The report notes the timing and relation of the incidents but does not specify detailed injury information.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
In Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, a member of the fire brigade was reported to have been affected by a bear. The article states this occurred the day before a police officer was attacked.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
A woman's body was found near Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, in circumstances that appear to be a bear attack. A police officer was also attacked nearby and suffered serious injuries.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
At around 10:00 on April 21, 2026, a police officer searching for a missing person in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture was attacked by a bear and suffered bites to the face and arm. The bear believed to have carried out the attack was killed after several hours of search.
Shiwa 紫波中央駅前二丁目, Iwate
On the morning of April 21, 2026, in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, a police officer searching for a missing person was attacked by a bear and sustained bites to the face and arm. The officer was conscious during transport, and the bear was culled at the scene.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
On the morning of April 21, 2026, in a stream area of Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, a male police officer searching for a missing person with hunting association members was attacked by a bear and was taken to hospital with bites to his face and arms. The bear that was killed was near the scene where the body of a missing woman was found; her body had multiple wounds and is believed to have been attacked by a bear.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
Filmed in front of Ippongi after-school care. After this, it crosses the Sunakomi River and goes into the woods.
Takizawa 柳原, Iwate
Iwate Prefecture issued a warning about Asian black bear sightings. On April 21, 2026, in Shiwa Town a woman's body believed to have been attacked by a bear was found, and a police officer was seriously injured.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
A single juvenile bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot of the Tezukuri Village.
Morioka Haba, Iwate
A young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot at the Handicraft Village.
Morioka Isari-Hatakenaka, Iwate
A single young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot of the Handmade Village.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
At around 09:55 on April 18, 2026, an adult bear was sighted in Shimoda (下田字下田), Morioka City. At about 10:05 the same day, an adult bear was sighted in Oidebukuro (生出袋), Shimoda, Morioka City.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
On April 18, 2026 at about 06:05, an adult bear was sighted in Yuzawa, Morioka City. Additional adult bear sightings occurred later in the morning in the Shimoda area of Morioka; no human or property damage was reported and police warned local residents to be cautious.
Morioka Yuzawa, Iwate
An immature bear (one) was witnessed—appears to have come down from the mountain.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
There are signs the bear was fixated on the feed.
Morioka, Iwate
Peak activity at 5:00 with 7 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 74 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 32 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 Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate; the location sits about 8.0 km from the start of the route and 2.3 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 5:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 79.6 km route from Hanamaki to Hachimantai crosses Iwate. Over the past 30 days, 74 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 32 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 Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate; the location sits about 8.0 km from the start of the route and 2.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 month ago at Morioka, Iwate, sitting about 56.4 km from the start and 285 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
