Saves as a new trip plan. The original stays as-is.
This 493 km route runs from Shizukuishi to Gonohe, passing through Iwate, Akita, and Aomori. In the past 30 days, 226 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 42 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Hirosaki, Aomori.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
2 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Iwate, Akita, Aomori.
A bear broke the door lock and entered the same house again.
Shizukuishi, Iwate
An adult bear entered a house in Nishi-Nishine-Higashishinozaki, Shizukuishi, and ate cat food and pickled turnips.
Shizukuishi, Iwate
A bear was sighted around 4 PM in Tsuchikawa 4th district, Iwate Town.
Iwate Tsuchikawa, Iwate
Around 07:25 on 2026-06-24, one adult bear was seen at the entrance of a private home in Ōsōrishō 25-chōme area, Hachimantai City, Iwate. No human or property damage was confirmed.
Hachimantai, Iwate
One bear sighted in an apple orchard
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
Around 05:30 on 2026-06-15, a bear was sighted in Tsuchikawa 4th district, Iwate Town.
Iwate Tsuchikawa, Iwate
A bear was sighted in Ikkatai 7-chiwari, Iwate Town.
Iwate Tsuchikawa, Iwate
Numerous bear droppings were found on the premises of a work shed adjacent to the residence.
Morioka, Iwate
A crack believed to have been caused by a bear was found in a window of the motorcycle storage/management building at the driving license test center in Shimoda, Morioka City.
Morioka Shimoda, Iwate
A crack was found in a window glass at a driving license test center facility in Morioka City, and police suspect bear damage.
Morioka, Iwate
In Oasare 29th district, Hachimantai City, multiple passersby saw one adult bear crossing a road.
Hachimantai 大更, Iwate
Multiple passersby spotted one adult bear crossing a road in Osore, Hachimantai City.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
Apples stored in a farmwork/shed used also as a storage shed had been eaten through. In addition, there were many droppings, believed to be from a bear, both inside and outside the shed.
Morioka, Iwate
A cub was sighted in Shimoda Ishibane, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, around 6:50 a.m. on June 9. No human or property damage was reported.
Morioka Shimoda, Iwate
While driving on the northbound lanes of the Tohoku Expressway, a witness saw a single bear about 50 centimeters long cross the expressway from east to west and then move into the brush on the west side.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Observed one bear eating mulberries in a field near the Eirakuen satellite-style annex. It later left heading into the woods to the north.
Kitaakita Kidoishi, Akita
While driving on the northbound lanes of the Tohoku Expressway near Hanawa Service Area, a vehicle occupant witnessed a bear about 50 centimeters in body length crossing from the northbound side over the center divider into the southbound lanes.
Kazuno, Akita
Municipal road / body length 70 cm / 5 m from a house / 10 m from the observer While driving on a municipal road, a bear emerged from the west side of the road. When the vehicle stopped and the observer watched, the bear returned to the west side.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
[Posted] Roamed around the rice field for about 15 minutes, then moved toward the Kashiwagi direction.
Odate Kodatehana, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
A bear was sighted in Kosaka-zawa, Kosaka Town.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka Daichi, Akita
Posted: Moved from the Shimouchikawa direction toward Shirasawa Shinmei Shrine, then went northeast along the base of the shrine's slope.
Odate Shirasawa, Akita
Yoneshiro River riverbed / body length 1 m / 150 m from a residence / 50 m distance from witness While driving on a municipal road, the witness spotted a bear on the far bank of the river. The bear entered the brush.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
On highway premises / body length 50 cm / 50 m from houses, 30 m from witness. While walking through the highway management property, the witness discovered a bear on the premises. The bear entered the brush from the property.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
[Post]
Odate, Akita
Prefectural road / body length 50 cm / 140 m from houses / 20 m from witness While driving on a prefectural road, I noticed a small bear walking along the edge of a field. The bear crossed the prefectural road from west to east and entered the brush on the east side.
Kazuno, Akita
On 2026-07-03 around 1:29 PM, a bear was sighted in Domenai, Hanaoka-machi, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate, Akita
Municipal road / body length 70 cm / 5 m from a residence / 15 m distance from the observer While driving a vehicle on a municipal road within the settlement, the observer sighted a bear running west.
Kazuno Towada-Kemanai, Akita
City road / body length 1 m / 5 m from a house / 5 m from the witness. While driving on a city road, the driver saw a bear running west across the road.
Kazuno Towada-Okada, Akita
Driver spotted one bear (body length 1 m) in a rice field beside a municipal road / heading south / about 400 m south of Numadate processing plant
Odate, Akita
Prefectural road / Body length 70 cm / 5 m from a private house / 5 m distance from the witness While driving a vehicle on the prefectural road, a bear ran out in front of the car. When the horn was sounded, the bear went into the brush to the east.
Kazuno, Akita
Field / Body length 70 cm / Distance from witness 30 m / 50 m from residences. While driving on a municipal road, the driver spotted a bear in the field.
Kazuno, Akita
Rice field / body length 1 m / 100 m from residence / 50 m from witness. While driving on the prefectural road in a vehicle, I spotted a bear in a rice field. The bear moved toward the river, so I chased it by vehicle while calling to fishermen to take refuge. After wandering along the river, the bear entered the forested hills to the west. I pursued it up to the edge of the forest.
Kazuno Towada-Kemanai, Akita
Report: On the town road west of the rice field at Kosaka 38, Kosaka-machi, a female/male adult bear about 1.2 meters long and one cub about 70 centimeters long were sighted. After that, the adult and cub entered the forested mountain area west of the town road. They are believed to have come up from the field road near Kosaka 38, climbed the roadside embankment below the town road, and emerged onto the town road. Sightings of bears are reported in this area, which is just south of the village cemetery, every year; this is the second sighting already this year. It is thought to be one of the travel routes used when moving between the forest on the east side of the Sunagosawa River and the forest on the west side.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post] I posted this before but it wasn’t published, so I’m reposting. One bear on the north side of the prefectural road. Within 100 meters of nearby houses.
Odate, Akita
A group of visitors walking along the trail at Nagabashiri Fūketsu Pavilion sighted one bear (approximately 80 cm in body length). Direction of travel: north. Approximately 30 m from the above facility.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 0.5 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 10 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel: north / approximately 200 m to the nearest house
Odate, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length unknown) / moving east / approximately 10 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted in Kosaka Nigawa, Kosaka Town, Akita, around 11:15 on July 1.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1 m) / direction of movement unknown / approximately 15 m from the nearest house
Odate Kanezaka-ushiro, Akita
[Post] One adult, two cubs
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted in Hanakawa-cho Nanatsudate, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (body length 1 m) on the road / heading north / 120 m east of Odate Homei High School
Odate Kanezaka-ushiro, Akita
(Reference information) On private residential property / body length 80 cm / distance from witness 30 m / 10 m from house and other buildings. Reported to the city by e-mail. Situation unknown.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (approx. 1 m body length) / direction of travel unknown / about 140 m from the nearest residence
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted around 5:30 AM on July 1 in Kosubogawa, Hanaoka-cho, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate Hanaokamachi, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) crossing the road / heading south / 200 m southeast of Niiyama settlement
Odate, Akita
[Report] A single bear about 1 meter long was on the ridge of a rice paddy at 39, Kakege, Kosaka, Kosaka Town. It ran toward the Suna kosawa River on the east side and went into the vegetation on the levee. It likely crossed the town road from the western forest, passed through the brush into the paddy, ran along the ridge, entered the brush on the right-bank levee of the Suna kosawa River, crossed the river, and moved from the eastern rice paddies back into the forest. The area around the sighting is one where bears and wild boars are seen crossing the stream every year, and it is also near the site of an encounter with a bear in May of this year that nearly resulted in personal injury.
Kosaka, Akita
One cub of unknown body length was sighted near the embankment road of the Matō River. It then left heading toward the mountains.
Kitaakita Isecho, Akita
[Posted]
Kitaakita, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 60 cm) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 5 m from the nearest house
Odate Kanezaka-ushiro, Akita
A staff member of a nearby junior high school observed one bear (approximately 1 m in body length) passing in front of the school's main gate / direction of travel unknown / about 50 m from the nearby junior high school
Odate Hashigeta, Akita
A single bear about 50 centimeters long was observed on the highway embankment from a car traveling on the Tōhoku Expressway. The bear’s subsequent direction of movement is unknown.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
A bear was sighted in Hanawa Shimota Nyuuu, Kazuno City.
Kazuno, Akita
Odate Naganeyamashita, Akita
A single bear cub ran off toward the Nature House.
Odate Naganeyamashita, Akita
Prefectural road / body length 1 m / 300 m from a private house / approximately 50 m from the observer When driving on the prefectural road, saw a bear sitting on the road
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m). Direction of travel unknown. Approximately 600 m to Odate Youth Nature House.
Odate Ipponsugi, Akita
[Post] Ran through the former residential site from the Ōmori side and exited toward the Hongō River
Odate, Akita
A resident working nearby spotted one bear about 50 cm in body length on the farm road. When loud noises were made, the bear was seen leaving toward the forested area to the east.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
[Post] Crossing a national highway
Kazuno, Akita
Around 4:50 PM on June 26, one bear was seen moving in Hachimantai-Akabuchi, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture.
Kazuno, Akita
An 80-centimeter-long bear was seen leaving from a small hill and heading southwest into nearby woods.
Kazuno, Akita
While driving, I saw one bear about 80 cm long coming out of the woods on the north side. It was startled by the car and went back into the north woods.
Kitaakita Shimosugi, Akita
On the premises of a highway toll booth / body length about 50 cm / distance from witness 50 m / 50 m from the building. A bear about 50 cm long was seen from inside a building crossing the toll booth area from south to north and entering the brush on the north side.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
While driving, a cub darted out and crossed the road. It entered the grass/thicket and its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.
Kitaakita Nanukaichi, Akita
Thicket / body length 80 cm / distance to witness 30 m / 10 m from a residence While walking on my property, I spotted a bear poking its head out of a thicket across the road. The bear returned into the thicket.
Kazuno, Akita
One bear of unknown body length was sighted on the road. It then entered the woods to the north. Approximately 10 meters from nearby facilities.
Kitaakita, Akita
It ran off eastward from the roadside. It looked like a cub less than one meter long.
Kosaka, Akita
A bear was sighted in Niida Terago, Ōdate City, Akita, around 5:10 a.m. on June 26, 2026.
Odate Niida, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) heading northwest; approximately 200 m from the nearest residence.
Odate Niida, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 50 cm) / Direction of travel: east / Approximately 200 m from the nearest house
Odate Ipponsugi, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.1 m) crossing the road / heading south / 200 m from nearest house
Odate Hashigeta, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 50 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Prefectural road / Body length 0.8 m / About 70 m from a private house While driving on the prefectural road, one bear crossing from the south to the north was observed. The bear then entered the woods on the north side. Distance to the observer: approximately 10 m.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
An office worker spotted one bear (body length 50 cm) / traveling northeast / on company premises
Odate, Akita
[Report] After finishing work, I spotted a bear about 50 cm in body length in the bushes beside the parking lot. It then went deeper into the thicket.
Odate, Akita
It was on the roadway, and even after seeing my car it showed no signs of fear; it slowly entered the brush at the side of the road.
Kosaka, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 0.7 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 20 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Around 07:00 on 2026-06-22, a bear was sighted in Karanisawa Kitsunodai, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate, Akita
One bear (body length 1.2 m) spotted in a private home's yard / heading north / 200 m west of Tashikomori Ballpark
Odate, Akita
[Post] Appeared startled by the car and went up the slope.
Kazuno, Akita
(From a post) Appeared startled by the car and climbed up the slope.
Kazuno, Akita
Crossed the road and went into the woods.
Odate, Akita
[Post]
Odate, Akita
Construction site / body length 1 m / 30 m from houses, etc. / approximately 30 m from the witness While walking near a construction site along the national highway, the witness saw a bear cross the railroad tracks from south to north and enter the brush.
Kazuno, Akita
Around 5:50 on June 19, a bear was sighted moving in Hachimantai Azusawaikari, Kazuno City, Akita.
Kazuno, Akita
On private residential property / body length 1 m / 1 m from the house / approximately 3 m from the witness. The witness observed a bear moving through the grassy area from east to west from inside the house.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
On private residential property / body length 1 m / 2 m from the house / 3 m distance to the witness: A bear was spotted outside the window. The bear slowly moved east. Fearing the window might be broken, the witness quietly moved away from the window and evacuated without provoking the bear, so its subsequent behavior is unknown.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
While driving, a bear about 1 m in body length was sighted in the roadside brush beside the municipal road from inside the vehicle. The subsequent direction of the bear's movement is unknown.
Kazuno Towada-Kusagi, Akita
(Post) On the left side heading toward Odate City (formerly? some kind of fish farm), it crossed the road and ran into the mountain.
Odate, Akita
Around 15:40 on 2026-06-17, a bear was seen moving in Kosakadaisaku, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
[Report] On the road from Sunagosawa Water Purification Plant heading into the mountains, one bear about 1 meter was sighted. It ran off into the mountains.
Kosaka, Akita
Report: Spotted one bear about 1 meter in size on the road from Sunagosawa Water Purification Plant toward the mountain. It ran off into the mountain.
Kosaka, Akita
While driving from Takanosu toward Aikawa, a single bear approximately 80 cm in length was observed coming out from the woods on the north side onto Prefectural Route 24. It later returned to the north woods. It was about 100 m from nearby facilities.
Kitaakita, Akita
One Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) crossed the road and ran west.
Odate, Akita
There were footprints in the field.
Odate, Akita
City road / body length 1 m / 100 m from a private house / 100 m distance to the witness. The bear was seen walking on the city road toward the mountain.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length unknown) / heading east / about 100 m south of Hachikō-sō
Odate, Akita
One adult bear and two cubs were crossing the Nishiyama agricultural access road.
Kazuno, Akita
Municipal road / body length 1 m / 20 m from a residence / 50 m distance to witness. A bear was observed roaming near the trash collection area from inside the house.
Kazuno Towada-Okada, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long was spotted on the runway at Odate-Noshiro Airport in Kitaakita, Akita, and was driven off with fireworks into brush on the south side.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
A single bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the runway of Odate-Noshiro Airport. After airport staff responded, it left toward the south.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
[Report] Spotted one bear (size unknown) in a field near a house. When we rang a bell, it noticed us and returned to the mountain.
Kosaka Araya, Akita
Field / body length 1 m / 50 m from a residence / 50 m from the witness. From inside the house, the witness observed a bear roaming the field.
Kazuno Towada-Suehiro, Akita
A bear was sighted moving in Towada-Suehiro Fudodaira, Kazuno City, around 7:00 on June 15.
Kazuno Towada-Suehiro, Akita
Around 10:50 on June 15, a bear was seen moving in Arayategamizawa, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka Araya, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
At around 1:05 PM on June 14, a bear was sighted at Kosaka Mining Museum Furutate in Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
Damage to crops such as potatoes
Odate, Akita
Around 11:00 on June 14, a bear was sighted in Kosakaichinoto, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
A single bear about 80 centimeters long was in a field at 32 Sunakosawa, Kosaka, Kosaka Town. It appeared to have come out from the wooded hill behind the house on the west side. The bear was by a pile of firewood next to the house; when it made eye contact it returned to the western woodland. The distance when eye contact was made was about 20 meters, and it was small enough to be thought a cub not yet weaned. No adult bear was seen. The neighbor was informed immediately.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post] Baby bear
Kosaka, Akita
Around 3:00 PM on June 13, a bear was sighted in Kosakamatsunaka Kosaka, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
I don’t know the exact location or time, but while driving from the town toward Lake Towada I saw a bear cub suddenly run into the brush on the left side of the road. It was just a moment so I didn’t get a photo, but we passed Kosaka Nanadaki Winery within two or three minutes, so I think it was in that general area.
Kosaka, Akita
Local resident sighted one bear (body length 1.2 m) / moving north / on convenience store premises
Odate Matsudate, Akita
A bear was sighted in a parking lot in Shimizu 4-chome, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate Matsudate, Akita
footprints
Odate, Akita
[Report] Approx. 1 m in length — witnessed running toward the Kosaka area.
Odate, Akita
A local resident spotted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / moving east / approximately 20 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 10 m from the nearest facility
Odate Dateshita, Akita
[Report] A bear about 1 meter long suddenly entered the company premises. When employees were startled and shouted, it ran off toward the north.
Odate Matsudate, Akita
Around 1:25 PM on June 11, one bear was sighted inside the premises of a house in Shimizu 2-chome, Odate City.
Odate Dateshita, Akita
Rice field / body length 1 m / 60 m from a residence / approximately 100 m from the witness While driving on a municipal road, a bear was spotted in a rice field. The bear entered the forested area to the south.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
[Report] Behind an empty house at 45 Sunagosawa, Kosaka, a young bear about 1 meter long ran into the forest on the west side. Just before that, it had been sighted near a water source in front of the house at 42 Sunagosawa. It appears to have come out of the forest on the east side, crossed rice fields and a river, passed between houses, and entered the forest on the west side. Although bears are known to be present in the hill behind the houses on the west side of the settlement, sightings of a moving bear occurred on the north and south sides of the row of houses. It is unusual to see a bear moving between houses during daytime.
Kosaka, Akita
Field / Body length unknown / 100 m from a residence / No distance reported to witness. Bear tracks were found in the field.
Kazuno Towada-Kusagi, Akita
Found bear tracks in the field. They appear to have come from the woods to the northwest of the discovery site.
Odate, Akita
Expressway / body length 1 m / 600 m to nearest house / 30 m from witness While driving on the expressway, a bear was spotted on the left shoulder. The bear entered the woods on the left.
Kazuno, Akita
[Report] Jukai Line (near Osarube, Kosaka Mine) While heading toward Kosaka, observed one adult bear and two cubs at the shrine entrance from the car.
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
River / Body length 1 m / 10 m from houses, etc. / Distance to witness 150 m
Kazuno, Akita
City road / body length 1.2 m / 5 m from a private residence / 10 m from the witness Observed from inside a vehicle: a bear crossing the city road and entering the brush.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
City road / body length 1.2 m / 300 m to nearest house / 10 m from witness. While driving on the city road, the witness saw a bear enter the brush north of the road.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
One bear was spotted moving in Towada-Nishikigi Shimono, Kazuno City.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
National road / body length 1.2 m / 300 m from a residence / 30 m from the witness. While driving a vehicle on the national road from north to south, I witnessed a bear crossing the road from east to west and entering the forest.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Vacant lot / body length 70 cm / 10 m from a residence / 20 m from the sighting. While walking on a municipal road, I saw a bear crossing the road from south to north and entering the vacant lot.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) in a field / direction of travel: east / approximately 100 m from the nearest house.
Odate Hinai-Maeda, Akita
Around 1:25 PM on 2026-06-10, a bear was sighted in Otarube, Kosakamachi Kosaka Mining Area, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
A bear was sighted in Hachimantai Azusawazawaikari, Kazuno City, Akita on the afternoon of 2026-06-10.
Kazuno, Akita
Around 06:30 on 2026-06-10, one bear was seen moving in Kosaka, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
A local resident spotted one bear (body length unknown) in the woods / direction of travel unknown / 150 m southwest of Manaka Community Center
Odate Akaishi, Akita
Railway tracks / body length 80 cm / 10 m from residences, etc. / 20 m distance from the witness: The bear was sighted wandering near the tracks from the grounds of a worksite.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Rice field / body length 1 m / 300 m from houses, etc. / 40 m from observer While driving on a municipal road, the observer spotted a bear in a rice field.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
I couldn’t take proper photos because I was driving, but there were two black lumps that looked like bears. I think it was a parent and child.
Kitaakita, Akita
Observed one bear eating mulberries in a field near the Eirakuen satellite-style annex. It later left heading into the woods to the north.
Kitaakita Kidoishi, Akita
[Posted] Roamed around the rice field for about 15 minutes, then moved toward the Kashiwagi direction.
Odate Kodatehana, Akita
One bear is captured on a surveillance camera. [From Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa, Aomori
One bear was sighted in Nagabashiri-jinba, Odate City.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
A nearby resident spotted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / heading north / approximately 20 m from the nearest house
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Walking through the field
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Around 7:00 PM on 2026-07-05, a bear was seen on camera in Ikarigaseki, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hirakawa Ikarigaseki, Aomori
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 600 m to nearest facility
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Posted: Moved from the Shimouchikawa direction toward Shirasawa Shinmei Shrine, then went northeast along the base of the shrine's slope.
Odate Shirasawa, Akita
A driver witnessed a single bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) crossing National Route 7 from the parking lot on the premises of Odate Yatate Heights and disappearing into the mountains. Direction of travel: south. Distance from the above facility: about 60 m.
Odate, Akita
[Post]
Odate, Akita
Sighted near a field. One cub. It was sitting on the road but, upon noticing the observer, fled westward.
Hirosaki, Aomori
On 2026-07-03 around 1:29 PM, a bear was sighted in Domenai, Hanaoka-machi, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate, Akita
Driver spotted one bear (body length 1 m) in a rice field beside a municipal road / heading south / about 400 m south of Numadate processing plant
Odate, Akita
Report: On the town road west of the rice field at Kosaka 38, Kosaka-machi, a female/male adult bear about 1.2 meters long and one cub about 70 centimeters long were sighted. After that, the adult and cub entered the forested mountain area west of the town road. They are believed to have come up from the field road near Kosaka 38, climbed the roadside embankment below the town road, and emerged onto the town road. Sightings of bears are reported in this area, which is just south of the village cemetery, every year; this is the second sighting already this year. It is thought to be one of the travel routes used when moving between the forest on the east side of the Sunagosawa River and the forest on the west side.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post] I posted this before but it wasn’t published, so I’m reposting. One bear on the north side of the prefectural road. Within 100 meters of nearby houses.
Odate, Akita
A group of visitors walking along the trail at Nagabashiri Fūketsu Pavilion sighted one bear (approximately 80 cm in body length). Direction of travel: north. Approximately 30 m from the above facility.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 0.5 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 10 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel: north / approximately 200 m to the nearest house
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted in Kosaka Nigawa, Kosaka Town, Akita, around 11:15 on July 1.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1 m) / direction of movement unknown / approximately 15 m from the nearest house
Odate Kanezaka-ushiro, Akita
[Post] One adult, two cubs
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted in Hanakawa-cho Nanatsudate, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (body length 1 m) on the road / heading north / 120 m east of Odate Homei High School
Odate Kanezaka-ushiro, Akita
A bear about 1 m tall was sighted on the road. It then ran off toward the mountains. [Reported by Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa, Aomori
A bear was sighted in Ikadekankusuyoshi, Hirakawa City.
Hirakawa, Aomori
Driver sighted one bear (approx. 1 m body length) / direction of travel unknown / about 140 m from the nearest residence
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted around 5:30 AM on July 1 in Kosubogawa, Hanaoka-cho, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate Hanaokamachi, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) crossing the road / heading south / 200 m southeast of Niiyama settlement
Odate, Akita
A single bear (about 1 m in body length) was seen crossing National Route 7 and running off to the south.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
One bear fled from the crematorium toward the mountain side near the Shukugawara tunnel in Owani, Owani Town.
Owani, Aomori
It ran away from the crematorium toward the area near the Yudagawa Tunnel (mountain side).
Owani, Aomori
[Report] A single bear about 1 meter long was on the ridge of a rice paddy at 39, Kakege, Kosaka, Kosaka Town. It ran toward the Suna kosawa River on the east side and went into the vegetation on the levee. It likely crossed the town road from the western forest, passed through the brush into the paddy, ran along the ridge, entered the brush on the right-bank levee of the Suna kosawa River, crossed the river, and moved from the eastern rice paddies back into the forest. The area around the sighting is one where bears and wild boars are seen crossing the stream every year, and it is also near the site of an encounter with a bear in May of this year that nearly resulted in personal injury.
Kosaka, Akita
One cub of unknown body length was sighted near the embankment road of the Matō River. It then left heading toward the mountains.
Kitaakita Isecho, Akita
[Posted]
Kitaakita, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 60 cm) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 5 m from the nearest house
Odate Kanezaka-ushiro, Akita
A staff member of a nearby junior high school observed one bear (approximately 1 m in body length) passing in front of the school's main gate / direction of travel unknown / about 50 m from the nearby junior high school
Odate Hashigeta, Akita
Odate Naganeyamashita, Akita
A single bear cub ran off toward the Nature House.
Odate Naganeyamashita, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m). Direction of travel unknown. Approximately 600 m to Odate Youth Nature House.
Odate Ipponsugi, Akita
[Post] Ran through the former residential site from the Ōmori side and exited toward the Hongō River
Odate, Akita
Observed from the roadside while driving from Yatate Pass toward Ōdate. It was heading into the mountains.
Odate, Akita
While driving, I saw one bear about 80 cm long coming out of the woods on the north side. It was startled by the car and went back into the north woods.
Kitaakita Shimosugi, Akita
While driving, a cub darted out and crossed the road. It entered the grass/thicket and its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.
Kitaakita Nanukaichi, Akita
One bear of unknown body length was sighted on the road. It then entered the woods to the north. Approximately 10 meters from nearby facilities.
Kitaakita, Akita
It ran off eastward from the roadside. It looked like a cub less than one meter long.
Kosaka, Akita
A bear was sighted in Niida Terago, Ōdate City, Akita, around 5:10 a.m. on June 26, 2026.
Odate Niida, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) heading northwest; approximately 200 m from the nearest residence.
Odate Niida, Akita
A neighborhood resident sighted one bear (body length unknown) / Direction of travel: south / Approximately 15 m from the nearest house
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Around 5:30 PM on 2026-06-25, a bear was sighted in Nagahashiri Jinba, Odate City, Akita Prefecture, and was seen moving.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 50 cm) / Direction of travel: east / Approximately 200 m from the nearest house
Odate Ipponsugi, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1 m) in the forested area west of the national highway / direction of travel: west / 100 m from the nearest settlement
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.1 m) crossing the road / heading south / 200 m from nearest house
Odate Hashigeta, Akita
One bear was sighted in Ikari-gaseki Kyuukichi Ninotou, Hirakawa City.
Hirakawa Ikarigaseki-Hisayoshi, Aomori
Observed on National Route 7 but departed westward
Hirakawa, Aomori
[Posted in Hirosaki City] Sighted one cub crossing the road on the east side of Daibutsu Park and moving east (toward the riverbed).
Hirosaki, Aomori
Climbed a tree. [Issued by Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa, Aomori
When I shone the car's headlights from higher up the slope, I saw the large four-legged shadow run off toward the Akasaka sheet metal area.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
I can’t say for certain, but when I shone the car’s headlights from the top of the hill I briefly saw a large four-legged shadow running toward the direction of Kuroishi city. Since it was only a silhouette I can’t be sure, but I believe it was at least a large animal.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
An office worker spotted one bear (body length 50 cm) / traveling northeast / on company premises
Odate, Akita
[Report] After finishing work, I spotted a bear about 50 cm in body length in the bushes beside the parking lot. It then went deeper into the thicket.
Odate, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 0.7 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 20 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Around 07:00 on 2026-06-22, a bear was sighted in Karanisawa Kitsunodai, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate, Akita
At around 9:00 PM on June 22, one bear was sighted in Akasaka, Kuroishi City.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
Around 9:00 PM on June 22, one bear was seen moving in Akasaka-Nozaki, Kuroishi City.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
One bear (body length 1.2 m) spotted in a private home's yard / heading north / 200 m west of Tashikomori Ballpark
Odate, Akita
Crossed the road and went into the woods.
Odate, Akita
While doing farm work, I spotted an Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) climbing up along the roadside from the south side of the apple orchard.
Kuroishi, Aomori
[Post]
Odate, Akita
Around 11:00 on 2026-06-19, one bear was seen moving at Takadate Ko Kogen in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture.
Kuroishi, Aomori
Saw one bear cub on the road. Body length about 80 cm. Walked off toward the mountains to the west.
Hirakawa, Aomori
(Post) On the left side heading toward Odate City (formerly? some kind of fish farm), it crossed the road and ran into the mountain.
Odate, Akita
Around 15:40 on 2026-06-17, a bear was seen moving in Kosakadaisaku, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
[Report] On the road from Sunagosawa Water Purification Plant heading into the mountains, one bear about 1 meter was sighted. It ran off into the mountains.
Kosaka, Akita
Report: Spotted one bear about 1 meter in size on the road from Sunagosawa Water Purification Plant toward the mountain. It ran off into the mountain.
Kosaka, Akita
While driving from Takanosu toward Aikawa, a single bear approximately 80 cm in length was observed coming out from the woods on the north side onto Prefectural Route 24. It later returned to the north woods. It was about 100 m from nearby facilities.
Kitaakita, Akita
There were footprints in the field.
Odate, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length unknown) / heading east / about 100 m south of Hachikō-sō
Odate, Akita
Report from a citizen. [Sent from Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa Niidate, Aomori
A bear about 1 meter long was spotted on the runway at Odate-Noshiro Airport in Kitaakita, Akita, and was driven off with fireworks into brush on the south side.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
A single bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the runway of Odate-Noshiro Airport. After airport staff responded, it left toward the south.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
Damage to crops such as potatoes
Odate, Akita
One bear was sighted in Kuradate Kawayada, Owani Town.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
Around 11:00 on June 14, a bear was sighted in Kosakaichinoto, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
A single bear about 80 centimeters long was in a field at 32 Sunakosawa, Kosaka, Kosaka Town. It appeared to have come out from the wooded hill behind the house on the west side. The bear was by a pile of firewood next to the house; when it made eye contact it returned to the western woodland. The distance when eye contact was made was about 20 meters, and it was small enough to be thought a cub not yet weaned. No adult bear was seen. The neighbor was informed immediately.
Kosaka, Akita
Local resident sighted one bear (body length 1.2 m) / moving north / on convenience store premises
Odate Matsudate, Akita
Proceeding toward Kuradate, Muraoka direction
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
A bear was sighted in a parking lot in Shimizu 4-chome, Odate City, Akita Prefecture.
Odate Matsudate, Akita
One bear was sighted moving in Kuradate Kawarada, Ōwani Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
Sighted near the greenhouse in the south-side field
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
A single bear approximately 1 m in body length was observed in a mountainside field.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
While driving to work in a field, the reporter saw a bear sitting in a clearing near the woods on the east side of the apple orchard. The reporter reversed the car to put distance between themselves and the bear, and when they did the bear was gone. It is believed likely the bear escaped into the woods on the east side.
Kuroishi 大字高舘, Aomori
footprints
Odate, Akita
[Report] Approx. 1 m in length — witnessed running toward the Kosaka area.
Odate, Akita
A local resident spotted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / moving east / approximately 20 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 10 m from the nearest facility
Odate Dateshita, Akita
[Report] A bear about 1 meter long suddenly entered the company premises. When employees were startled and shouted, it ran off toward the north.
Odate Matsudate, Akita
Around 1:25 PM on June 11, one bear was sighted inside the premises of a house in Shimizu 2-chome, Odate City.
Odate Dateshita, Akita
[Report] Behind an empty house at 45 Sunagosawa, Kosaka, a young bear about 1 meter long ran into the forest on the west side. Just before that, it had been sighted near a water source in front of the house at 42 Sunagosawa. It appears to have come out of the forest on the east side, crossed rice fields and a river, passed between houses, and entered the forest on the west side. Although bears are known to be present in the hill behind the houses on the west side of the settlement, sightings of a moving bear occurred on the north and south sides of the row of houses. It is unusual to see a bear moving between houses during daytime.
Kosaka, Akita
Found bear tracks in the field. They appear to have come from the woods to the northwest of the discovery site.
Odate, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) in a field / direction of travel: east / approximately 100 m from the nearest house.
Odate Hinai-Maeda, Akita
Around 06:30 on 2026-06-10, one bear was seen moving in Kosaka, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
A local resident spotted one bear (body length unknown) in the woods / direction of travel unknown / 150 m southwest of Manaka Community Center
Odate Akaishi, Akita
A bear was sighted in Nagahashiri Jinba, Odate City, Akita, and was seen moving.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
I couldn’t take proper photos because I was driving, but there were two black lumps that looked like bears. I think it was a parent and child.
Kitaakita, Akita
A bear over 1.5 meters long was sighted on a prefectural road in Kuniyoshikōden, Hirosaki, crossed the road from the Iwaki River, and headed north to the mountain.
Hirosaki, Aomori
A large bear, 170–180 cm in body length, was observed crossing the prefectural road heading north.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Walked along the concrete retaining wall, then climbed a tree.
Ajigasawa Matsudaimachi, Aomori
A young bear about 60 cm emerged from a side road while the car was driving by, but it immediately retreated back into the grassy area.
Hirosaki, Aomori
While driving, a juvenile bear about 80 cm long crossed directly in front of the vehicle. Direction of escape unknown. (Same location and same size as the sighting on June 30.)
Hirosaki, Aomori
While driving on a city road, a young bear about 80 cm long crossed in front [of the vehicle]. Direction of flight unknown.
Hirosaki, Aomori
One bear was sighted moving in Matsushirocho, Ajigasawa Town.
Ajigasawa Matsudaimachi, Aomori
I spotted a cub on the road; when it noticed the car it ran off into the bushes. It was my first time seeing a bear and I was surprised. Its fur was jet black.
Ajigasawa Matsudaimachi, Aomori
When I shone the car's headlights from higher up the slope, I saw the large four-legged shadow run off toward the Akasaka sheet metal area.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
I can’t say for certain, but when I shone the car’s headlights from the top of the hill I briefly saw a large four-legged shadow running toward the direction of Kuroishi city. Since it was only a silhouette I can’t be sure, but I believe it was at least a large animal.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
At around 9:00 PM on June 22, one bear was sighted in Akasaka, Kuroishi City.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
Around 9:00 PM on June 22, one bear was seen moving in Akasaka-Nozaki, Kuroishi City.
Kuroishi 大字三島, Aomori
In the early morning, bear tracks were found in the furrows of the vegetable patch within the apple orchard. The direction in which it fled is unknown.
Hirosaki, Aomori
While doing farm work, I spotted an Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) climbing up along the roadside from the south side of the apple orchard.
Kuroishi, Aomori
Around 11:00 on 2026-06-19, one bear was seen moving at Takadate Ko Kogen in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture.
Kuroishi, Aomori
There was what appeared to be bear scat in Kobinai Park. It was about 20 centimeters wide. I'm not entirely sure what kind of droppings it was, but I'm notifying you just in case. Sorry if I'm mistaken.
Hirosaki 城東4, Aomori
Observed a bear about 1 m in body length. It fled south.
Hirosaki, Aomori
cub (bear)
Hirosaki, Aomori
A cub-sized bear was recorded on security camera around 9:00 a.m. in front of a company office in Takasugi, Hirosaki City.
Hirosaki, Aomori
A security camera captured a cub crossing in front of the building.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Around 08:56 on June 13, a bear was sighted in Takasugi Godanda, Hirosaki City.
Hirosaki, Aomori
A bear (body length unknown) was sighted walking along the rice-field embankment.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Bear sighted walking on a rice-field embankment (body length unknown)
Hirosaki, Aomori
Heading east across the fields from Oobachigawa (Ōbachigawa)
Hirosaki, Aomori
A bear was sighted in Sanzenseji Irokichi, Hirosaki City, around 10:00 on June 13.
Hirosaki, Aomori
While driving to work in a field, the reporter saw a bear sitting in a clearing near the woods on the east side of the apple orchard. The reporter reversed the car to put distance between themselves and the bear, and when they did the bear was gone. It is believed likely the bear escaped into the woods on the east side.
Kuroishi 大字高舘, Aomori
A bear over 1.5 meters long was sighted on a prefectural road in Kuniyoshikōden, Hirosaki, crossed the road from the Iwaki River, and headed north to the mountain.
Hirosaki, Aomori
While driving on the northbound lanes of the Tohoku Expressway, a witness saw a single bear about 50 centimeters long cross the expressway from east to west and then move into the brush on the west side.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
While driving, witnessed a bear running westward from beneath the guardrail.
Nanbu Torato, Aomori
A large bear, 170–180 cm in body length, was observed crossing the prefectural road heading north.
Hirosaki, Aomori
While driving on the northbound lanes of the Tohoku Expressway near Hanawa Service Area, a vehicle occupant witnessed a bear about 50 centimeters in body length crossing from the northbound side over the center divider into the southbound lanes.
Kazuno, Akita
Municipal road / body length 70 cm / 5 m from a house / 10 m from the observer While driving on a municipal road, a bear emerged from the west side of the road. When the vehicle stopped and the observer watched, the bear returned to the west side.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
Walked along the concrete retaining wall, then climbed a tree.
Ajigasawa Matsudaimachi, Aomori
Reflected eyes were seen in an apple orchard and a beast’s growl was heard. The species, body length, and direction of escape are unknown. When the city checked the scene, footprints of a four-legged animal (such as a raccoon) were found in a nearby field. No signs of an Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) were found.
Hirosaki 大開2, Aomori
One bear is captured on a surveillance camera. [From Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa, Aomori
One bear was sighted in Nagabashiri-jinba, Odate City.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
A nearby resident spotted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / heading north / approximately 20 m from the nearest house
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
A bear was sighted in Kosaka-zawa, Kosaka Town.
Kosaka, Akita
On July 5 at around 14:25, a bear was sighted moving in Ozawaizawa, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hirosaki, Aomori
While traveling on Apple Road from the Self-Defense Forces direction toward Shimoyunoguchi, I witnessed one cub (about 50–60 cm in length) emerge from the woods near Hirosaki City Cemetery Park, run alongside my car for a short time, and then re-enter the woods.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Walking through the field
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Around 7:00 PM on 2026-07-05, a bear was seen on camera in Ikarigaseki, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hirakawa Ikarigaseki, Aomori
[Post]
Kosaka Daichi, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 600 m to nearest facility
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
A driver witnessed a single bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) crossing National Route 7 from the parking lot on the premises of Odate Yatate Heights and disappearing into the mountains. Direction of travel: south. Distance from the above facility: about 60 m.
Odate, Akita
Yoneshiro River riverbed / body length 1 m / 150 m from a residence / 50 m distance from witness While driving on a municipal road, the witness spotted a bear on the far bank of the river. The bear entered the brush.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
On highway premises / body length 50 cm / 50 m from houses, 30 m from witness. While walking through the highway management property, the witness discovered a bear on the premises. The bear entered the brush from the property.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Prefectural road / body length 50 cm / 140 m from houses / 20 m from witness While driving on a prefectural road, I noticed a small bear walking along the edge of a field. The bear crossed the prefectural road from west to east and entered the brush on the east side.
Kazuno, Akita
Sighted near a field. One cub. It was sitting on the road but, upon noticing the observer, fled westward.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Municipal road / body length 70 cm / 5 m from a residence / 15 m distance from the observer While driving a vehicle on a municipal road within the settlement, the observer sighted a bear running west.
Kazuno Towada-Kemanai, Akita
City road / body length 1 m / 5 m from a house / 5 m from the witness. While driving on a city road, the driver saw a bear running west across the road.
Kazuno Towada-Okada, Akita
A young bear about 60 cm emerged from a side road while the car was driving by, but it immediately retreated back into the grassy area.
Hirosaki, Aomori
(No information)
Shingo Saigoshi, Aomori
While driving, a juvenile bear about 80 cm long crossed directly in front of the vehicle. Direction of escape unknown. (Same location and same size as the sighting on June 30.)
Hirosaki, Aomori
Prefectural road / Body length 70 cm / 5 m from a private house / 5 m distance from the witness While driving a vehicle on the prefectural road, a bear ran out in front of the car. When the horn was sounded, the bear went into the brush to the east.
Kazuno, Akita
Field / Body length 70 cm / Distance from witness 30 m / 50 m from residences. While driving on a municipal road, the driver spotted a bear in the field.
Kazuno, Akita
Rice field / body length 1 m / 100 m from residence / 50 m from witness. While driving on the prefectural road in a vehicle, I spotted a bear in a rice field. The bear moved toward the river, so I chased it by vehicle while calling to fishermen to take refuge. After wandering along the river, the bear entered the forested hills to the west. I pursued it up to the edge of the forest.
Kazuno Towada-Kemanai, Akita
Report: On the town road west of the rice field at Kosaka 38, Kosaka-machi, a female/male adult bear about 1.2 meters long and one cub about 70 centimeters long were sighted. After that, the adult and cub entered the forested mountain area west of the town road. They are believed to have come up from the field road near Kosaka 38, climbed the roadside embankment below the town road, and emerged onto the town road. Sightings of bears are reported in this area, which is just south of the village cemetery, every year; this is the second sighting already this year. It is thought to be one of the travel routes used when moving between the forest on the east side of the Sunagosawa River and the forest on the west side.
Kosaka, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length unknown) / moving east / approximately 10 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted in Kosaka Nigawa, Kosaka Town, Akita, around 11:15 on July 1.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
A bear about 1 m tall was sighted on the road. It then ran off toward the mountains. [Reported by Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa, Aomori
A bear was sighted in Ikadekankusuyoshi, Hirakawa City.
Hirakawa, Aomori
(Reference information) On private residential property / body length 80 cm / distance from witness 30 m / 10 m from house and other buildings. Reported to the city by e-mail. Situation unknown.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
A single bear (about 1 m in body length) was seen crossing National Route 7 and running off to the south.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
One bear fled from the crematorium toward the mountain side near the Shukugawara tunnel in Owani, Owani Town.
Owani, Aomori
It ran away from the crematorium toward the area near the Yudagawa Tunnel (mountain side).
Owani, Aomori
[Report] A single bear about 1 meter long was on the ridge of a rice paddy at 39, Kakege, Kosaka, Kosaka Town. It ran toward the Suna kosawa River on the east side and went into the vegetation on the levee. It likely crossed the town road from the western forest, passed through the brush into the paddy, ran along the ridge, entered the brush on the right-bank levee of the Suna kosawa River, crossed the river, and moved from the eastern rice paddies back into the forest. The area around the sighting is one where bears and wild boars are seen crossing the stream every year, and it is also near the site of an encounter with a bear in May of this year that nearly resulted in personal injury.
Kosaka, Akita
While driving on a city road, a young bear about 80 cm long crossed in front [of the vehicle]. Direction of flight unknown.
Hirosaki, Aomori
A single bear about 50 centimeters long was observed on the highway embankment from a car traveling on the Tōhoku Expressway. The bear’s subsequent direction of movement is unknown.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
A bear was sighted in Hanawa Shimota Nyuuu, Kazuno City.
Kazuno, Akita
One bear was sighted moving in Matsushirocho, Ajigasawa Town.
Ajigasawa Matsudaimachi, Aomori
I spotted a cub on the road; when it noticed the car it ran off into the bushes. It was my first time seeing a bear and I was surprised. Its fur was jet black.
Ajigasawa Matsudaimachi, Aomori
Prefectural road / body length 1 m / 300 m from a private house / approximately 50 m from the observer When driving on the prefectural road, saw a bear sitting on the road
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
One bear was seen moving downstream along a ravine near the sighting location. Its size was larger than a large dog.
Sannohe Izumiyama, Aomori
An animal believed to be a bear was seen moving in Izumiyama Sawanosawa, Sannohe Town.
Sannohe Kujimachi, Aomori
A resident working nearby spotted one bear about 50 cm in body length on the farm road. When loud noises were made, the bear was seen leaving toward the forested area to the east.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
Observed from the roadside while driving from Yatate Pass toward Ōdate. It was heading into the mountains.
Odate, Akita
[Post] Crossing a national highway
Kazuno, Akita
Around 4:50 PM on June 26, one bear was seen moving in Hachimantai-Akabuchi, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture.
Kazuno, Akita
An 80-centimeter-long bear was seen leaving from a small hill and heading southwest into nearby woods.
Kazuno, Akita
On the premises of a highway toll booth / body length about 50 cm / distance from witness 50 m / 50 m from the building. A bear about 50 cm long was seen from inside a building crossing the toll booth area from south to north and entering the brush on the north side.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Thicket / body length 80 cm / distance to witness 30 m / 10 m from a residence While walking on my property, I spotted a bear poking its head out of a thicket across the road. The bear returned into the thicket.
Kazuno, Akita
While driving, I witnessed one cub dart out onto the road. Body length and direction of escape unknown.
Hirosaki, Aomori
It ran off eastward from the roadside. It looked like a cub less than one meter long.
Kosaka, Akita
A neighborhood resident sighted one bear (body length unknown) / Direction of travel: south / Approximately 15 m from the nearest house
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Around 5:30 PM on 2026-06-25, a bear was sighted in Nagahashiri Jinba, Odate City, Akita Prefecture, and was seen moving.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1 m) in the forested area west of the national highway / direction of travel: west / 100 m from the nearest settlement
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
A person who witnessed one bear enter the mountain from the road.
Shingo Saigoshi, Aomori
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 50 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Around 3:30 p.m. in Hirosaki, one bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a city road in Ozawa-maesawa and crossed toward the municipal cemetery park to the northeast.
Hirosaki, Aomori
One bear was sighted in Ikari-gaseki Kyuukichi Ninotou, Hirakawa City.
Hirakawa Ikarigaseki-Hisayoshi, Aomori
Observed on National Route 7 but departed westward
Hirakawa, Aomori
One bear about 1 meter in body length was sighted. It fled northeast.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Around 15:30 on 2026-06-24, a bear was sighted in Ozawa Maesawa, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Prefectural road / Body length 0.8 m / About 70 m from a private house While driving on the prefectural road, one bear crossing from the south to the north was observed. The bear then entered the woods on the north side. Distance to the observer: approximately 10 m.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
[Posted in Hirosaki City] Sighted one cub crossing the road on the east side of Daibutsu Park and moving east (toward the riverbed).
Hirosaki, Aomori
Climbed a tree. [Issued by Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa, Aomori
A witness driving a car saw a bear emerge onto National Route 4 from the west and then turn back. The bear was relatively small. Near the border between Nambu Town and Gonohe Town.
Nanbu, Aomori
One bear was sighted in Aino, Nambu Town.
Nanbu Ainai, Aomori
A witness driving a car saw a bear appear from the west onto National Route 4 and then turn back. It was rather small. Near the boundary between Nambu Town and Gonohe Town.
Nanbu, Aomori
It was on the roadway, and even after seeing my car it showed no signs of fear; it slowly entered the brush at the side of the road.
Kosaka, Akita
While entering the tunnel from the Nanbu Town side and passing through the Sannohe Tunnel by car, one bear crossed the road from left to right just before a house at the foot of the mountain.
Gonohe 手倉橋, Aomori
[Post] Appeared startled by the car and went up the slope.
Kazuno, Akita
(From a post) Appeared startled by the car and climbed up the slope.
Kazuno, Akita
In the early morning, bear tracks were found in the furrows of the vegetable patch within the apple orchard. The direction in which it fled is unknown.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Construction site / body length 1 m / 30 m from houses, etc. / approximately 30 m from the witness While walking near a construction site along the national highway, the witness saw a bear cross the railroad tracks from south to north and enter the brush.
Kazuno, Akita
Around 5:50 on June 19, a bear was sighted moving in Hachimantai Azusawaikari, Kazuno City, Akita.
Kazuno, Akita
On private residential property / body length 1 m / 1 m from the house / approximately 3 m from the witness. The witness observed a bear moving through the grassy area from east to west from inside the house.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
Saw one bear cub on the road. Body length about 80 cm. Walked off toward the mountains to the west.
Hirakawa, Aomori
On private residential property / body length 1 m / 2 m from the house / 3 m distance to the witness: A bear was spotted outside the window. The bear slowly moved east. Fearing the window might be broken, the witness quietly moved away from the window and evacuated without provoking the bear, so its subsequent behavior is unknown.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
While driving, a bear about 1 m in body length was sighted in the roadside brush beside the municipal road from inside the vehicle. The subsequent direction of the bear's movement is unknown.
Kazuno Towada-Kusagi, Akita
While driving, a bear crossed the road and ran off to the east.
Nanbu Okitaomote, Aomori
Around 15:40 on 2026-06-17, a bear was seen moving in Kosakadaisaku, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
[Report] On the road from Sunagosawa Water Purification Plant heading into the mountains, one bear about 1 meter was sighted. It ran off into the mountains.
Kosaka, Akita
Report: Spotted one bear about 1 meter in size on the road from Sunagosawa Water Purification Plant toward the mountain. It ran off into the mountain.
Kosaka, Akita
One Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) crossed the road and ran west.
Odate, Akita
City road / body length 1 m / 100 m from a private house / 100 m distance to the witness. The bear was seen walking on the city road toward the mountain.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
Report from a citizen. [Sent from Hirakawa City]
Hirakawa Niidate, Aomori
One adult bear and two cubs were crossing the Nishiyama agricultural access road.
Kazuno, Akita
Municipal road / body length 1 m / 20 m from a residence / 50 m distance to witness. A bear was observed roaming near the trash collection area from inside the house.
Kazuno Towada-Okada, Akita
Sighted near the cycling path. Body length 70–80 cm. Fled to the southeast.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Sighted near the cycling path. Body length 70–80 cm. Fled toward the southeast.
Hirosaki, Aomori
[Report] Spotted one bear (size unknown) in a field near a house. When we rang a bell, it noticed us and returned to the mountain.
Kosaka Araya, Akita
Field / body length 1 m / 50 m from a residence / 50 m from the witness. From inside the house, the witness observed a bear roaming the field.
Kazuno Towada-Suehiro, Akita
A bear was sighted moving in Towada-Suehiro Fudodaira, Kazuno City, around 7:00 on June 15.
Kazuno Towada-Suehiro, Akita
A bear was seen moving in Ozawatsurukosawa, Hirosaki City, Aomori, around 17:40 on June 15.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Around 10:50 on June 15, a bear was seen moving in Arayategamizawa, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka Araya, Akita
I drove past on my way back from the hot springs, but it disappeared into the forest right away.
Shingo Saigoshi, Aomori
On the way back from the hot springs I drove past, but it disappeared into the forest immediately.
Shingo, Aomori
There was what appeared to be bear scat in Kobinai Park. It was about 20 centimeters wide. I'm not entirely sure what kind of droppings it was, but I'm notifying you just in case. Sorry if I'm mistaken.
Hirosaki 城東4, Aomori
[Post]
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
At around 1:05 PM on June 14, a bear was sighted at Kosaka Mining Museum Furutate in Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
[Post]
Kosaka, Akita
One bear was sighted in Kuradate Kawayada, Owani Town.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
Around 11:00 on June 14, a bear was sighted in Kosakaichinoto, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
A single bear about 80 centimeters long was in a field at 32 Sunakosawa, Kosaka, Kosaka Town. It appeared to have come out from the wooded hill behind the house on the west side. The bear was by a pile of firewood next to the house; when it made eye contact it returned to the western woodland. The distance when eye contact was made was about 20 meters, and it was small enough to be thought a cub not yet weaned. No adult bear was seen. The neighbor was informed immediately.
Kosaka, Akita
[Post] Baby bear
Kosaka, Akita
Around 3:00 PM on June 13, a bear was sighted in Kosakamatsunaka Kosaka, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
I don’t know the exact location or time, but while driving from the town toward Lake Towada I saw a bear cub suddenly run into the brush on the left side of the road. It was just a moment so I didn’t get a photo, but we passed Kosaka Nanadaki Winery within two or three minutes, so I think it was in that general area.
Kosaka, Akita
Proceeding toward Kuradate, Muraoka direction
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
One bear was sighted moving in Kuradate Kawarada, Ōwani Town, Aomori Prefecture.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
Sighted near the greenhouse in the south-side field
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
A single bear approximately 1 m in body length was observed in a mountainside field.
Owani Kuradate, Aomori
Rice field / body length 1 m / 60 m from a residence / approximately 100 m from the witness While driving on a municipal road, a bear was spotted in a rice field. The bear entered the forested area to the south.
Kazuno Hanawa, Akita
[Report] Behind an empty house at 45 Sunagosawa, Kosaka, a young bear about 1 meter long ran into the forest on the west side. Just before that, it had been sighted near a water source in front of the house at 42 Sunagosawa. It appears to have come out of the forest on the east side, crossed rice fields and a river, passed between houses, and entered the forest on the west side. Although bears are known to be present in the hill behind the houses on the west side of the settlement, sightings of a moving bear occurred on the north and south sides of the row of houses. It is unusual to see a bear moving between houses during daytime.
Kosaka, Akita
Field / Body length unknown / 100 m from a residence / No distance reported to witness. Bear tracks were found in the field.
Kazuno Towada-Kusagi, Akita
Expressway / body length 1 m / 600 m to nearest house / 30 m from witness While driving on the expressway, a bear was spotted on the left shoulder. The bear entered the woods on the left.
Kazuno, Akita
[Report] Jukai Line (near Osarube, Kosaka Mine) While heading toward Kosaka, observed one adult bear and two cubs at the shrine entrance from the car.
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
River / Body length 1 m / 10 m from houses, etc. / Distance to witness 150 m
Kazuno, Akita
City road / body length 1.2 m / 5 m from a private residence / 10 m from the witness Observed from inside a vehicle: a bear crossing the city road and entering the brush.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
City road / body length 1.2 m / 300 m to nearest house / 10 m from witness. While driving on the city road, the witness saw a bear enter the brush north of the road.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
One bear was spotted moving in Towada-Nishikigi Shimono, Kazuno City.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
National road / body length 1.2 m / 300 m from a residence / 30 m from the witness. While driving a vehicle on the national road from north to south, I witnessed a bear crossing the road from east to west and entering the forest.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Vacant lot / body length 70 cm / 10 m from a residence / 20 m from the sighting. While walking on a municipal road, I saw a bear crossing the road from south to north and entering the vacant lot.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Around 1:25 PM on 2026-06-10, a bear was sighted in Otarube, Kosakamachi Kosaka Mining Area, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka Kosaka-kozan, Akita
A bear was sighted in Hachimantai Azusawazawaikari, Kazuno City, Akita on the afternoon of 2026-06-10.
Kazuno, Akita
Around 06:30 on 2026-06-10, one bear was seen moving in Kosaka, Kosaka Town, Akita Prefecture.
Kosaka, Akita
Railway tracks / body length 80 cm / 10 m from residences, etc. / 20 m distance from the witness: The bear was sighted wandering near the tracks from the grounds of a worksite.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
Rice field / body length 1 m / 300 m from houses, etc. / 40 m from observer While driving on a municipal road, the observer spotted a bear in a rice field.
Kazuno Towada-Nishikigi, Akita
A bear was sighted in Nagahashiri Jinba, Odate City, Akita, and was seen moving.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Peak activity at 8:00 with 26 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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In the past 30 days, 226 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 42 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Hirosaki, Aomori.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 8:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 493 km route runs from Shizukuishi to Gonohe, passing through Iwate, Akita, and Aomori. In the past 30 days, 226 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 42 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Hirosaki, Aomori. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
