This 77.2 km route from Iwate Museum of Art to Tono crosses Iwate. Over the past 30 days, 62 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 35 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate; the location sits about 33.8 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 day ago at Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate, sitting about 2.2 km from the start and 0 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Iwate.
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
Observed one bear running away toward Lake Gosho near the Sakura Garden in Gosho-ko Regional Park.
Morioka Atagoshita, Iwate
An adult bear was sighted near the Tsunagi multipurpose sports ground. It moved toward the Goshoko (Gosho Lake) area.
Morioka, Iwate
One bear (size unknown) was observed moving into the northern woodland.
Morioka Higashinakano, Iwate
One young bear was sighted near the road by the parking area of Oirino Wetland Botanical Garden in Gosho Lake Regional Park.
Morioka Momijigaoka, Iwate
Observed one presumed adult bear
Morioka Momijigaoka, Iwate
The site where a culled sika deer had been buried was dug up and the carcass taken. There are drag marks nearby, as well as bear tracks and scat.
Morioka Momijigaoka, Iwate
I found large bear footprints.
Morioka Higashinakano, 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 10:25 a.m. on May 9, a single bear cub was sighted near Taisho Bridge in Niibori, Ishidoriyacho, Hanamaki City, and walked south. No damage from the bear has been confirmed, and the police are urging local residents to be cautious.
Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Niibori, 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
An adult bear was sighted in the woods across from the house. It ran off toward the mountains.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
Sighted one bear crossing the roadway.
Morioka Higashimirumae, 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
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
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
There are round footprints on the ridges I made. About 15 centimeters in diameter. Could it be a bear?
Morioka, Iwate
Bear sighted near hot spring facility.
Morioka Otobe, Iwate
Bear sighted near the hot spring facility.
Takizawa 大沢舛村, Iwate
Observed one adult and two cubs on the riverbed of the Otobe River.
Morioka Otobe, 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
Around 13:30 on April 24, an adult bear was found perched in a tree and remaining motionless near the Seiyouen Clean Center in Shinzato, Ayahori-cho, Tono City. As of 16:00 the situation remained at an impasse, and police and municipal officials are considering how to respond.
Tōno Ayaoricho-Shimoayaori, Iwate
At around 13:30 on April 24, 2026, a single presumed adult bear was spotted up in a tree near the clean center in Ayatori-cho, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture, and remained there as of 17:00. The city plans to carry out an emergency culling once safety is confirmed; to facilitate this, the Kamaishi Expressway between Tono IC and Miyamori IC was closed in both directions.
Tōno Ayaoricho-Kamiayaori, 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
According to the Morioka East Police Station, at around 17:45 on the 21st a single adult bear was sighted in Otsube, Morioka City. The scene was a grassy area about 350 meters east of the Otsube Post Office; nearby are the Otsube Children's Center and Tonan Higashi Elementary School.
Morioka Otobe, Iwate
A juvenile bear was sighted near the parking lot reserved for staff of the Handmade Village.
Morioka Otobe, 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
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
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
Peak activity at 6:00 with 6 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 62 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 35 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate; the location sits about 33.8 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 6:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 77.2 km route from Iwate Museum of Art to Tono crosses Iwate. Over the past 30 days, 62 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 35 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate; the location sits about 33.8 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 day ago at Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate, sitting about 2.2 km from the start and 0 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
