This 660 km route from Heian Palace to Iwashimizu Hachimangū crosses Kyoto, Mie, Wakayama, Osaka, and Shiga. Over the past 30 days, 8 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 5 days ago near Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama; the location sits about 528.2 km from the start of the route and 1.2 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Owase Yanohama-Masago, Mie, sitting about 261.2 km from the start and 36 m off the route line.
With activity this close, ride with a partner, fit a bike bell, and avoid forested passes at dawn and dusk.
24 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Kyoto, Mie, Wakayama, Osaka, Shiga.
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
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
Around 15:30 on the 19th, a woman in the city reported a bear sighting east of the Owase-Minami interchange in Owase City. Four first-year female students from Owase Junior High School saw what appeared to be a parent-and-child pair of Asian black bears; their whereabouts afterward are unknown and there were no human injuries. The city notified schools, posted warning signs near the site, and pest-control patrols fired deterrent fireworks.
Owase Yanohama-Masago, Mie
Owase Yanohama-Masago, Mie
Late on May 5, 2026, there was a report of a bear sighting near a farm road in Tachibimoto, Shimozucho, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Earlier that morning a roughly 1-meter-long bear was sighted on the Kumano Kodo Kii-ji pilgrimage path in the Hiyamizu area; authorities say it is unknown whether the sightings were of the same individual and the city and police urged caution.
Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama
On May 5, 2026 at around 10:20 a.m., a passerby spotted a single bear approximately 1 meter long on the Kumano Kodo trail in Shimizu, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. No injuries were reported; the prefectural police urged people not to approach and to ensure their safety.
Kainan Shimizu, Wakayama
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the Kumano Kodo 'Kii-ji' pilgrimage route in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture on the morning of May 5, 2026. Police have issued a warning.
Kainan Fujishiro, Wakayama
Peak activity at 10:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 8 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 5 days ago near Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama; the location sits about 528.2 km from the start of the route and 1.2 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 10:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 660 km route from Heian Palace to Iwashimizu Hachimangū crosses Kyoto, Mie, Wakayama, Osaka, and Shiga. Over the past 30 days, 8 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 5 days ago near Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama; the location sits about 528.2 km from the start of the route and 1.2 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Owase Yanohama-Masago, Mie, sitting about 261.2 km from the start and 36 m off the route line. With activity this close, ride with a partner, fit a bike bell, and avoid forested passes at dawn and dusk.
