This 719 km route from Kannon-ji Temple to Aomori crosses Tokyo, Aomori, Akita, Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Iwate, Miyagi, and Saitama. Over the past 30 days, 159 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 60 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 Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate; the location sits about 488.2 km from the start of the route and 1.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 days ago at Aomori, Aomori, sitting about 694.6 km from the start and 3 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
24 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Tokyo, Aomori, Akita, Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Iwate, Miyagi, Saitama.
Around 20:25 on May 15, an adult bear was sighted on a city road north of Kitakami General Sports Park in Takamaedanchi, Awasaracho, Kitakami City; the bear crossed the road from north to south and ran toward the park. No damage from the bear was reported, and police have urged nearby residents to be cautious.
Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate
On May 15, 2026 at around 15:30, an adult male Asian black bear (approx. 110 cm long, estimated 3 years old, about 100 kg) entered the CROSS TOWER A-BAY commercial complex in Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori City and remained inside for several hours. City staff and hunter association members set box traps and maintained a perimeter; at around 18:10 the bear was shot and killed under an emergency culling decision by the municipality, and there were no injuries.
Aomori Uramachi, Aomori
Around 17:30 on May 15, 2026, one bear was sighted on the grounds of Hanamaki Airport in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, and the runway was temporarily closed. At least four flights were affected, but no injuries or property damage were reported, and the bear later left the airport grounds.
Hanamaki Kuzu, Iwate
At least one cub (young bear) entered inside.
Aomori Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori
On the afternoon of May 15, 2026, a bear entered the Cross Tower A-Bay commercial complex (Nagasima 1-chome) in central Aomori City and remained inside for several hours. Police cordoned off the area and set box traps; around 18:10 local hunters fired and killed one bear. Multiple sightings were reported across the city that day, and a bear was also seen about 300 meters away in a parking lot, possibly a different individual.
Aomori Uramachi, Aomori
A bear is believed to be occupying the first floor of a mixed-use commercial building in central Aomori City, leaving more than 10 people (patrons of a pharmacy and a hotel) trapped. A bear was also sighted at a parking lot about 300 meters away around the same time, possibly a different individual, and Aomori City is considering emergency shooting to eliminate the very high risk of human injury.
Aomori Nishitaki, Aomori
A sighting report was posted to Aomori Prefecture's bear log.
Aomori Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori
A bear holed up in the Cross Tower A-Bay in central Aomori City, people stranded on upper floors According to Aomori City and the police, at around 3:30 p.m. today a single bear was sighted in Nagashima, Aomori City. The scene is the Cross Tower A-Bay, and at least one cub is said to have entered the building. The bear is still believed to be holed up inside.
Aomori Nagashima 1-chome, Aomori
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
Shortly after 11:00 AM on May 15, 2026, one bear was sighted northeast of Ōno Elementary School in Aoba 1-chome, Aomori City.
Aomori Ono, Aomori
On my way to work I witnessed an Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) crossing the road and running up the embankment.
Kazuno, Akita
Around 05:00 on May 15, a single bear of unknown length was sighted in Nagashima, Aomori City, moving west from near Nagashima Elementary School and running along the national road from Hirota Shrine toward the Yanagi-cho intersection. No damage has been reported, and city staff and police are patrolling the area to maintain vigilance.
Aomori Ono, Aomori
There were repeated bear sightings from the night of the 14th into the early morning of the 15th near Aomori Prefectural Museum, the Sannai-Maruyama ruins, and the Nami-date Maeda residential area in Aomori City. Around 05:00 near Nagashima Elementary School, one bear of unknown length was seen moving west; the school asked parents to pick up children or keep them home for remote lessons, and the city patrolled the area.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
On May 15 between about 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., multiple sightings of an Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) were reported near the Aomori Prefectural Office in Aomori City. The city has warned residents via social media and is maintaining vigilance while considering emergency shooting operations.
Aomori Ono, Aomori
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
Before 21:00 on May 14, 2026, a roughly 1-meter-long bear was seen entering a residential property in Aomori City's Nami-dachi Maeda area. Sightings also occurred at a convenience store parking lot, in the Nami-dachi area, and in the Nagashima area near the prefectural office; the city has set up a response headquarters and is considering switching to emergency shooting.
Aomori Namidate, Aomori
At around 19:50 on May 14, 2026, a single cub was sighted on the grounds of a convenience store in Satomi, Aomori City. No damage was reported, and the city urged nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Namidate, Aomori
Around 19:00 on May 14, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Gobommatsu Hirano, Namioka, Aomori City, crossing Prefectural Road No. 27 (Aomori-Namioka Line) from south to north. No damage was reported.
Aomori, Aomori
Shortly after 19:00 on May 14, bears were repeatedly sighted at locations including a convenience store parking lot in Satomi and residential streets in Nami-date Maeda in Aomori City. No damage was reported; city staff and police were patrolling the area as of 23:00, and officials warned residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Namidate, Aomori
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
Before 8:00 a.m. today, one Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) was sighted near the prefectural art museum and the Sannai-Maruyama ruins in Aomori City. City staff and the hunters' association inspected the site but found no tracks or other traces; the Sannai-Maruyama ruins have posted notices to inform visitors of the sighting and warn them to be cautious.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
Before 8:00 AM, a report was received of a bear sighting near the Prefectural Museum and the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site. City staff and the hunters' association patrolled the Sannai Maruyama site but found no traces such as bear footprints. The site has posted notices to inform visitors of the sighting and warn them to be cautious.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
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
Around 7:30 a.m. on May 14, 2026, one Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted between the Prefectural Art Museum and the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site in Yasuda, Aomori City. No injuries or damage were reported.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
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
At 7:30 AM on May 14, 2026, one bear was sighted near the Prefectural Art Museum in Yasuda, Aomori City, the city reported. No other reports of damage were mentioned.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
At 7:30 AM on May 14, 2026, the city announced that one bear was sighted near the Aomori Prefectural Museum in Yasuda, Aomori City.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
On the morning of the 14th, one bear was sighted on a road near the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site in Aomori City, and police conducted patrols. The center that manages the site has urged visitors to be cautious of bears.
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
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
At around 04:14 on May 14, 2026, a single Asiatic black bear (about 1 meter long) was sighted on a farm road in Yamamoto, Takehana, Kuroishi City; the location is roughly 200 meters northeast of the Tohoku Expressway Takadate PA (upbound), and the bear fled toward the highway. No damage was reported.
Kuroishi 大字竹鼻, Aomori
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
Around 22:50 on May 13, a woman driving on a municipal road in Kamikitakodaira Takamatsu, Haramachi Ward, Minamisoma City, reported seeing one bear about 1 meter long to the Minamisoma police station. Sightings in the city have been occurring repeatedly since May 5.
Minamisoma 原町区北新田, Fukushima
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
A cub was discovered in the woods at the back (rear of the property).
Aomori Sannai, Aomori
An adult bear was sighted near the Tsunagi multipurpose sports ground. It moved toward the Goshoko (Gosho Lake) area.
Morioka, Iwate
Near the Michi-no-Eki Namioka Apple Hill in Namioka, Aomori City, a black bear about 1 meter long was sighted moving on the road before 7:00 AM, and subsequent reports said bears were seen behind a supermarket and in residential yards. The prefecture has issued a prefecture-wide Asiatic black bear warning, and a separate bear was captured near a residence in Kuroishi City the previous day.
Aomori, Aomori
On May 13, 2026, between 06:55 and 07:50, four bears were sighted in Aomori City's Namioka area. Sightings occurred near the Michi-no-Eki Namioka Apple Hill (on a national road), a road in Namioaka Sugisawa Kamifukuda, behind The Big Namioka store, and a path beside a residential garden in Inoue; several bears were about 1 meter long and no damage was reported.
Aomori, Aomori
In Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, a female bear approximately 1 meter long and estimated to be 3–4 years old was captured in a box trap. The trap was set after pinpointing the bear's rough den location following repeated sightings; it may be the same individual that collided with a car, but authorities remain cautious in case it is a different bear.
Kuroishi 大字市ノ町, Aomori
While working in the fields, I spotted a small bear. It noticed me and seemed to run off toward the mountains.
Morioka Kamiota-Uwaze, Iwate
On May 12, 2026, a female Asiatic black bear was captured in a box trap in Higashinotezo, Kuroishi City, Aomori. It measured about 1.0 m, weighed about 60 kg, is estimated to be 3–4 years old with no history of giving birth, and was confirmed by city staff at 08:30.
Kuroishi 大字東野添, Aomori
[Report] Footprints crossing the road from the east
Kosaka, Akita
On May 12 in Higashinozoe, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, one Asiatic black bear was captured in a box trap. The captured bear was a female about 1 meter long and weighing about 60 kg, estimated to be 3–4 years old with no history of giving birth. This was the first capture in the city this year.
Kuroishi 大字東野添, Aomori
Around 18:00 on May 11, one Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted beside a guardrail along Route 7 in Tsurugasaka, Aomori City. No damage was reported, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Tsurugasaka, Aomori
Observed one adult bear heading north along the road.
Ōshū 水沢, Iwate
According to police, on the evening of May 10, 2026, multiple bear sightings were reported on the Namie–Kashima prefectural road in Kamikitakahira, Haramachi Ward, Minamisoma City. Around 17:40 a male driver saw a roughly 1-meter-long bear in the woods, and about 20 minutes later a female driver reported another sighting; police have stepped up patrols.
Minamisoma 原町区上北高平, Fukushima
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 13:45 on May 10, the city reported that a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in an apple orchard east of Yoshinoda Shintameike in the Yoshinoda Nikogesawa area of Namioka, Aomori City.
Aomori, Aomori
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 about 08:30 on May 10, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter in length was sighted on a walking trail in Shiki no Mori within the Prefectural Forest in Tomiya City (Akashikami-Origemoto). When the walker increased the volume of a radio they were carrying, the bear left the area; there have been no further sightings and the management office is warning visitors over the park's PA system.
Tomiya, Miyagi
At around 08:25 on May 10 a single adult bear was reported swimming north to south in the Kitakami River west of 1-30 Higashi-An'niwa 2-chome in Morioka. At about 08:50 the same bear was also seen in an apartment parking lot in the same area; police issued warnings and no injuries were reported.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
At around 08:25 on May 10, a passerby reported seeing an adult bear swimming north to south across the Kitakami River near Higashi-An'niwa 2-chome in Morioka City. Police issued local warnings and no damage from the bear has been confirmed.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
Empty honey boxes with the honey removed and the place where the frames were kept were ransacked.
Morioka Higashianiwa, Iwate
At around 18:30 on the 9th, three bears were sighted walking in Kamisuwa, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. No human or property damage was reported.
Hanamaki Kamisuwa, Iwate
On the afternoon of May 9, 2026, a bear was repeatedly sighted in rice fields near Hirakawa City's Osaki-Kidoguchi area and near Hiraga Higashi Elementary School. The municipality authorized an emergency gun hunt, and at around 18:30 hunters killed one adult male Asian black bear (about 1.5 m long, approximately 80 kg). No injuries were reported.
Hirakawa Osaki, Aomori
Shortly after 18:00 on May 9, city staff and members of a hunters' association found one bear in a rice field in Osaki Kidoguchi, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture; the mayor authorized an emergency culling. The hunters fired a shot and the bear—a roughly 1.5-meter adult male—was killed.
Hirakawa Osaki, Aomori
One juvenile bear sighted.
Ōshū 胆沢小山, Iwate
Bear feces are on the road. There are bear tracks nearby.
Morioka Kamiota-Uwaze, Iwate
Bear in the trail on return to resort. Waited 10-15 minutes for it to leave and continued past
Hachimantai, Iwate
One bear was sighted in a rice field in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture, and was culled by an emergency shooting operation. The incident and response were reported on May 9, 2026, with the sighting/response occurring around 00:54.
Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori
A bear was reported sighted in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture. The article does not provide details of the sighting or whether anyone was injured.
Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori
Three bears were sighted in Kamisuwa, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture; no human or property damage has been confirmed.
Hanamaki Kamisuwa, Iwate
On May 9, 2026, multiple sightings of bears or bear-like animals were reported in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture. According to police stations, the observed animals were reported to be about 1–1.5 meters in length.
Minamisoma 原町区小川町, Fukushima
Driver sighted one bear (about 1 m in length) / direction of travel: east / approximately 300 m to the nearest house
Odate, Akita
[Report] While two of us were checking a fallen tree, we found a lot of large scat that was not yet dry. When I stood up after taking photos, I smelled a strong animal odor. Looking around, I noticed a warm, animal-like breath coming from somewhere, so we ran away. About 15 m from a house.
Kazuno Towada-Kemanai, Akita
A beehive box at the apiary beside the house was knocked over, and one frame was damaged.
Morioka Shimokuriyagawa, Iwate
In Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, authorities issued a state of emergency following the appearance of an Asian black bear. The city is urging residents to prioritize actions that protect their lives.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
Around 18:30 on May 7, in a residential area of Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, residents spotted a bear about one meter long walking in a private garden and on the road; security camera footage appears to show the same individual. On the day of reporting, the hunters' association responded to a bear caught in a trap at a nearby ranch.
Hanamaki Kajomachi, Iwate
On May 7 between 18:15 and 18:50, multiple people observed one adult bear wandering on the road in Kōchi, Ishidoriyacho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. No damage from the bear has been confirmed, and police are warning nearby residents to be cautious.
Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Kochi, Iwate
Around 16:00 on May 7, bear-like footprints were found in Saihatake (幸畑), Aomori City. No damage has been confirmed; the site is southeast of the Hakkoda Mountain Snow March Disaster Museum, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Kobata, Aomori
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted near Nagasaka River around 14:00 on May 7 in Kamitokawa Tomokawa No.4 (and boundary with No.5) in Kuroishi City. The city is considering installing a box trap; a bear was also seen around 07:10 on May 6 at nearly the same spot, and sightings were reported nearby on May 3 and May 5.
Kuroishi, Aomori
On the morning of May 7, a woman was found unconscious in a mountain forest in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture. She had injuries believed to be from an animal's claws, and police are investigating on suspicion she was attacked by a bear.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
In Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, a woman in her 60s who went out to pick wild plants was reported missing from May 6; during a search, her body was found in the mountains of the city on the morning of May 7 at around 8:00. The body showed signs of an animal attack, and police are investigating the cause of death, considering the possibility that she was attacked by a bear.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
According to the Iwate Prefectural Police, on May 7, 2026, the body of a woman in her 60s was found in a mountain in Hachimantai City. Her face and head had scratch wounds consistent with an animal attack, and police suspect she may have been attacked by a bear; she had been missing since May 6 after going out to pick wild plants.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
Sighted one bear crossing the roadway.
Morioka Higashimirumae, Iwate
Observed one juvenile crossing the road from south to north.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
At around 07:10 on May 6, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the Nagasaka Riverbed at the boundary between Tomeoka No.4 and No.5 in Kamitogawa, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture. After the sighting, the bear moved toward the Aoyama/Takeda-cho area.
Kuroishi 竹田町, Aomori
A bear sighting was reported in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture (see the article body for location details).
Soma Nakamura, Fukushima
On 2026-05-06 in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, an animal believed to be a bear was seen crossing a road (Fukushima Television). The article does not report any injuries or capture.
Minamisoma 原町区小川町, Fukushima
The body of a woman believed to be in her 60s was found in a forest in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture; scratch wounds on her face suggest she may have been attacked by a bear. Reports say the woman had gone missing after going out to gather wild plants.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
A single young bear was sighted on the elementary school grounds.
Ōshū 江刺稲瀬, Iwate
One juvenile bear was sighted near the business premises.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
At around 03:40 on the 5th, a resident spotted a single bear heading east on a road in Kuwabara 1-chome, Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. According to the prefectural police, the bear was about 1 meter long; officers patrolled the area but the animal had already left.
Iwanuma Honchō, Miyagi
On May 5, 2026 at around 01:20, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted near a field in the Hakkō area of Kuroishi City. At around 04:20, another bear of unknown size was sighted near a different field in the same area a few hundred meters away.
Kuroishi 八甲, Aomori
On May 5, 2026, reports of sightings and footprints of bears or bear-like animals were reported repeatedly across Fukushima Prefecture, including on the Hama Kaido in Minamisoma City. According to police stations, some reports included descriptions of body length, but details are unclear.
Soma Nakamura, Fukushima
In the early morning of May 5, 2026, a car on a farm road in Hakkō, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture collided with a bear crossing the road. The vehicle showed several scratches believed to be from the bear and footage was recorded; the article does not report any injuries.
Kuroishi 八甲, Aomori
Witnessed one adult bear moving through rice paddies and houses, heading into the brush along the Isawa River.
Ōshū 水沢卸町, Iwate
Observed one adult bear passing through rice paddies and residential areas, moving into the brush along the Isawa River.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, 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
Observed one young bear jumping over the fence along the Tohoku Expressway service road and moving south.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
Witnessed one young bear crossing the national highway from east to west near Mizusawa Interchange.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
Rice paddy / Body length 1 m / 200 m from a residence / 50 m from sighting Vehicle was driving on the road when a bear was discovered in the rice paddy. The bear moved west toward the direction of a waste processing facility.
Kosaka Araya, Akita
Inside Ishidoriya Fureai Sports Park
Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Kitaterabayashi, Iwate
Observed one adult bear staying on the road slope for about 5 minutes.
Ōshū 水沢, Iwate
One bear sighted in the hot spring facility parking lot
Morioka, Iwate
One juvenile bear sighted on the road.
Ōshū 水沢佐倉河, Iwate
Rice bran had been placed beside the field the reporter rents; two bags were torn into, and bear droppings and footprints on the mulch were found.
Morioka, Iwate
A black bear (about 1 m) was rummaging through apple crates looking for apples.
Morioka Kado, Iwate
The field plastic mulch was torn, and there were footprints. The compost was disturbed.
Morioka, Iwate
Hachimantai 安比高原, Iwate
According to Morioka West Police, at around 13:50 on May 1, 2026, a passerby sighted one bear-like animal wandering near the municipal road east of Morioka Juvenile Prison at 15-1 Tsukigaoka 2-chome, Morioka City. The direction it went is unknown, and no human or property damage has been confirmed.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
On May 1, 2026, sightings of a presumed adult bear were reported multiple times in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The bear was seen at 10:50 near the FamilyMart Shibutami store in Shimoda, at 13:50 wandering on the road in Tsukigaoka 2-chome, and at 18:37 knocking over apple boxes in front of a shed in Mon/Suma; no human or property damage was reported.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
At around 10:50 on May 1, a single young bear was seen walking near the FamilyMart Shibutami store in Shimoda, Morioka City, and walked toward Shibutami Station. No injuries or damage were reported, and police have warned local residents to be cautious.
Morioka, Iwate
[Post] Witnessed crossing the Jukai Line from south to north
Kosaka, Akita
There are round footprints on the ridges I made. About 15 centimeters in diameter. Could it be a bear?
Morioka, Iwate
One bear sighted.
Ōshū Mizusawa-Miyashitacho, Iwate
was running on the sidewalk
Takizawa 篠木荒屋, Iwate
Around 16:20 on April 28, a passerby spotted a single bear about 70 cm long moving in the Nishikawa river in Tomiya-bussho, Tomiya City, and called emergency services. The bear moved in the river east of Route 4 and later departed to the west; there were no injuries, and police have stepped up warnings to nearby schools and increased vigilance.
Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi
Around 16:00 on April 28, a passerby reported to the police a bear about 70 cm long swimming in the Nishikawa in Tomiya Bussho, Tomiya City, Miyagi. The bear swam west toward forested hills; no injuries or damage to buildings have been confirmed.
Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi
[Post] Spotted a bear cub alone on the highway
Kosaka, Akita
One adult bear sighted.
Ōshū, Iwate
Bear sighted near the hot spring facility.
Takizawa 大沢舛村, Iwate
At around 17:40 on the 27th, a local resident in Kurihara City, Tsukidate-Tomebarato-no-ki, reported seeing a bear about 1.5 m long. Just after 01:00 on the 28th, another bear about 1 m long was seen crossing National Route 4 in Tsukidate-Terukoshi Eihei; no injuries were reported. Police are patrolling the area and urging caution.
Kurihara 築館字留場, Miyagi
Around 17:20 on April 27, 2026, a passerby sighted one adult bear near the north-side waterway of Takizawa Minami Junior High in Ukai, Takizawa City. According to the Morioka West Police Station, no damage was confirmed. There were also daytime sightings in the surrounding area.
Takizawa 鵜飼滝向, Iwate
[Post]
Kazuno 長牛, Akita
Around 14:00 on April 27, one bear was sighted near Mantoku, Dobuchi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The city has urged nearby residents to be cautious.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
At around 05:40 on April 27, 2026, an adult bear was sighted near Hiijono Sports Park in Matsuzono-cho, Hanamaki City. Matsuzono Nursery is nearby; the city and police monitored the area, and no damage has been reported.
Hanamaki Matsuzonocho, Iwate
At around 8:00 p.m. on the 26th, a single bear approximately 1.5 meters long was sighted in a rice field in Tsukidate Shinden, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture. A local resident reported seeing it running north through the field; there have been no further sightings and the police are patrolling the area.
Kurihara 築館字新田東, Miyagi
At around 17:55 on April 26, 2026, a driver on Prefectural Route 16 spotted a single bear about 60 cm long sitting in a forested area in Ohira Village, Ohira Akasaka, Miyagi Prefecture. The bear later moved further into the woods and no further sightings have been reported; the police have stepped up patrols in the area.
Ohira 大衡, Miyagi
Stopped at a traffic light, I saw a bear crossing the road in the rearview mirror.
Tomiya ひより台二丁目, Miyagi
Field / Body length 1.2 m / 700 m from a residence / Approximately 50 m from the witness
Kazuno, Akita
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
Beside the national highway in brush/Body length ~1 m/40 m from a residence/About 5 m from the witness While passing on the national highway by vehicle, I saw a bear sitting at the edge of the mountain beside the road. Because I drove past it, I do not know which direction it left. Afterwards the police checked the area but did not find the bear.
Kazuno Osarizawa, Akita
It crossed the Sangyo Road in Futago Ueno heading west and went into the woods.
Kitakami Shimooniyanagi, 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
On the night of April 22, 2026, three bears (believed to be a parent and cubs) were sighted in the brush of a park retention pond in Akenohira, Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture; city staff and police are on alert. No damage or subsequent sightings have been confirmed, and the nearby elementary school has urged students to wear bear bells and increased patrols during commutes.
Tomiya あけの平二丁目, Miyagi
Around 18:15 on April 22, 2026, three bears were sighted in the bushes (near a retention pond) of a park in Akenodaira 1-chome, Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture; city staff and police are on alert. The bears are believed to be a parent and cubs; no damage or further sightings have been confirmed, and on April 23 the city checked for footprints and climb marks and strengthened measures at the nearby elementary school (distributed bear bells and increased patrols).
Tomiya あけの平一丁目, Miyagi
Around 12:15 PM on April 22, a motorist spotted one juvenile bear near the Aomori Expressway in Suwasawa, Aomori City. No injuries or damage were reported.
Aomori Suwanosawa, Aomori
A woman's body was found near Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, in circumstances that appear to be a bear attack. A police officer was also attacked nearby and suffered serious injuries.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
At around 10:00 on April 21, 2026, a police officer searching for a missing person in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture was attacked by a bear and suffered bites to the face and arm. The bear believed to have carried out the attack was killed after several hours of search.
Shiwa 紫波中央駅前二丁目, Iwate
On the morning of April 21, 2026, in Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, a police officer searching for a missing person was attacked by a bear and sustained bites to the face and arm. The officer was conscious during transport, and the bear was culled at the scene.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
On the morning of April 21, 2026, in a stream area of Shiwa Town, Iwate Prefecture, a male police officer searching for a missing person with hunting association members was attacked by a bear and was taken to hospital with bites to his face and arms. The bear that was killed was near the scene where the body of a missing woman was found; her body had multiple wounds and is believed to have been attacked by a bear.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
Filmed in front of Ippongi after-school care. After this, it crosses the Sunakomi River and goes into the woods.
Takizawa 柳原, Iwate
Iwate Prefecture issued a warning about Asian black bear sightings. On April 21, 2026, in Shiwa Town a woman's body believed to have been attacked by a bear was found, and a police officer was seriously injured.
Shiwa 日詰, Iwate
At around 05:50 on April 20, a driver observed an animal believed to be a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road in Taki Kamisunaji, Tono-cho, Iwaki City, moving from the forest on the west side to the forest on the east side. No human injuries were reported, and police have urged local residents to remain vigilant.
Iwaki, Fukushima
At around 17:40 on April 19, 2026, in Tsurugasaka, Aomori City, a single bear about 1.5 meters long crossed the road from north to south and came into contact with a car. The city is urging people to report sightings or tracks and to avoid leaving garbage outdoors.
Aomori Tsurugasaka, Aomori
At around 08:30 on April 19, 2026, a kei car driven by a man in his 20s collided with a bear on the outbound lanes of the Tohoku Expressway in Ohira Village, Miyagi Prefecture. The driver was uninjured; the bear was found dead at the scene and measured about 70 cm in length.
Ohira 奥田, Miyagi
Crossed the road and climbed up the steep embankment on the right.
Kazuno 下長根, Akita
A single juvenile bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot of the Tezukuri Village.
Morioka Haba, Iwate
A young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot at the Handicraft Village.
Morioka Isari-Hatakenaka, Iwate
[Report] One bear about 1 meter tall near the side just before the bridge along Route 7.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
A single young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot of the Handmade Village.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
At around 09:55 on April 18, 2026, an adult bear was sighted in Shimoda (下田字下田), Morioka City. At about 10:05 the same day, an adult bear was sighted in Oidebukuro (生出袋), Shimoda, Morioka City.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
On April 18, 2026 at about 06:05, an adult bear was sighted in Yuzawa, Morioka City. Additional adult bear sightings occurred later in the morning in the Shimoda area of Morioka; no human or property damage was reported and police warned local residents to be cautious.
Morioka Yuzawa, Iwate
An immature bear (one) was witnessed—appears to have come down from the mountain.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
There are signs the bear was fixated on the feed.
Morioka, Iwate
Peak activity at 7:00 with 13 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 159 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 60 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 Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate; the location sits about 488.2 km from the start of the route and 1.6 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 7:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 719 km route from Kannon-ji Temple to Aomori crosses Tokyo, Aomori, Akita, Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Iwate, Miyagi, and Saitama. Over the past 30 days, 159 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 60 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 Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate; the location sits about 488.2 km from the start of the route and 1.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 days ago at Aomori, Aomori, sitting about 694.6 km from the start and 3 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
