This 101 km route from Hiroshima City Transportation Museum to Gōnokawa River crosses Hiroshima and Shimane. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Kitahiroshima Minamigata, Hiroshima; the location sits about 26.8 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Hiroshima Asacho-Ushiroyama, Hiroshima, sitting about 7.1 km from the start and 2 m off the route line.
With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
2 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Hiroshima, Shimane.
I was driving and saw a bear.
Kitahiroshima Minamigata, Hiroshima
A large truck driver was waiting at a roadside pullout near Asahigaoka to time the departure of another company's large truck coming out of a factory. About 3–5 meters in front of him, a black bear that looked like a large, well-fed dog curled up ran across from the river side (Gongenyama) to the mountain on the Asaminami Ward side across the road. He said it was the first time he had seen one in this area. The driver’s sighting was reported to the Asakita Police Station duty officer at 18:20.
Hiroshima Asacho-Ushiroyama, Hiroshima
On May 3, 2026, at approximately 3:40 a.m. and again at approximately 7:40 a.m., a single adult bear about 1 meter in body length was in the Kokubun district of Hamada City.
Hamada Kokubucho, Shimane
On May 3, around 03:40 and again around 07:40, a single adult bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Kokubu-cho, Hamada City.
Hamada Kokubucho, Shimane
At around 07:30 on April 30, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the Yanagi bus stop in Maruhara, Sakai-cho, Hamada City, moving toward the Iekoya River. Asahisho Elementary School is nearby, and city staff and police stationed locally have stepped up patrols during school commuting times.
Hamada Asahicho-Marubara, Shimane
At about 16:05 on April 23, 2026, a cub moving toward the back mountain behind the Hamada Fire Asahi station in Asahi-machi Maruhara, Hamada City, was sighted by a city official. Hamada City also reported sightings of one cub in Asahi-machi Imaichi on April 20 and one bear in Asahi-machi Maruhara on April 21.
Hamada Asahicho-Marubara, Shimane
At approximately 5:10 p.m. on April 21, 2026, one adult bear about 1 meter in body length crossed a municipal road near the Shimane Asahi Social Rehabilitation Promotion Center in Maruhara, Asahi-cho, Hamada City.
Hamada Asahicho-Marubara, Shimane
At approximately 3:45 PM on April 20, 2026, one cub of unknown body length was sighted near the Hamada Fire Department Asahi Substation in Imaichi, Asahi Town.
Hamada Asahicho-Marubara, Shimane
At around 15:45 on April 20, 2026, a single juvenile bear of unknown body length was sighted near the Hamada Fire Department Asahi branch office in Imaichi, Asahi-cho, Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture.
Hamada Asahicho-Marubara, Shimane
Peak activity at 3:00 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 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Kitahiroshima Minamigata, Hiroshima; the location sits about 26.8 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 3:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 101 km route from Hiroshima City Transportation Museum to Gōnokawa River crosses Hiroshima and Shimane. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Kitahiroshima Minamigata, Hiroshima; the location sits about 26.8 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Hiroshima Asacho-Ushiroyama, Hiroshima, sitting about 7.1 km from the start and 2 m off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
