This 177 km route from Kawagoe to Nikko crosses Saitama, Tochigi, and Gunma. Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 63.9 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Nikkō 鬼怒川温泉滝, Tochigi, sitting about 145.1 km from the start and 241 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
3 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Saitama, Tochigi, Gunma.
On May 12, 2026, a single bear was sighted on a prefectural road in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, according to Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital. Further details are behind a paywall.
Sano 高砂町, Tochigi
On May 11, 2026, between about 16:00 and 17:00, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted on the prefectural road (Tanuma–Karasawayama Park Line) leading from Tochimoto Park toward Karasawayama in Tochimotocho, Sano City. The bear headed west after the sighting.
Sano 栃本町, Tochigi
A bear was reported sighted in a mountain forest in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The full article is behind a paywall, so further details are not available.
Sano 高砂町, Tochigi
A bear was reported sighted on a riverbed in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article does not report any injuries or damage.
Nikkō 今市本町, Tochigi
On 2026-04-26, a bear was sighted near a compulsory education school in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article reports the sighting but does not provide details such as the time of the sighting or whether there were any injuries.
Sano 葛生西三丁目, Tochigi
On 2026-04-24, a bear was sighted on a walkway in Nikkō City, Tochigi Prefecture, according to Shimotsuke Shimbun. The article is behind a paywall, so detailed circumstances and whether there were any injuries or damage are not confirmed.
Nikkō 今市本町, Tochigi
Nikkō 野口, Tochigi
Around 15:00 on April 21, two bears, about 1.2 meters and 0.5 meters long, were seen walking together on a municipal road near Kinugawa Park in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. A nearby elementary school prompted police to patrol in cooperation with the city and warn people not to approach if they see the bears.
Nikkō 鬼怒川温泉滝, Tochigi
Two bears were sighted in the Fujiwara area of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, reportedly walking near an elementary school. Police are patrolling the area.
Nikkō 藤原, Tochigi
Nikkō 鬼怒川温泉滝, Tochigi
A single bear was sighted on a road in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. Further details are reported in a paywalled article on Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital.
Sano 高砂町, Tochigi
At around 20:02 on April 14, 2026, a bear about 1 m long was sighted near Tanoinu Park in Tanoinu-cho, Sano City. An earlier report on April 7 at about 17:50 recorded a sighting of one cub-sized bear near Kuzuu Higashi in Sano City.
Sano 田之入町, Tochigi
Sano 田之入町, Tochigi
Peak activity at 15:00 with 1 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 63.9 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 15:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 177 km route from Kawagoe to Nikko crosses Saitama, Tochigi, and Gunma. Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 63.9 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Nikkō 鬼怒川温泉滝, Tochigi, sitting about 145.1 km from the start and 241 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
