This 184 km route from Mount Kōya to Tanabe Castle crosses Wakayama. Over the past 30 days, 3 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama; the location sits about 119.0 km from the start of the route and 2.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Kainan Shimizu, Wakayama, sitting about 122.2 km from the start and 1.1 km off the route line.
With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
Late on May 5, 2026, there was a report of a bear sighting near a farm road in Tachibimoto, Shimozucho, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Earlier that morning a roughly 1-meter-long bear was sighted on the Kumano Kodo Kii-ji pilgrimage path in the Hiyamizu area; authorities say it is unknown whether the sightings were of the same individual and the city and police urged caution.
Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama
On May 5, 2026 at around 10:20 a.m., a passerby spotted a single bear approximately 1 meter long on the Kumano Kodo trail in Shimizu, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. No injuries were reported; the prefectural police urged people not to approach and to ensure their safety.
Kainan Shimizu, Wakayama
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the Kumano Kodo 'Kii-ji' pilgrimage route in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture on the morning of May 5, 2026. Police have issued a warning.
Kainan Fujishiro, Wakayama
Late on May 5, 2026, there was a report of a bear sighting near a farm road in Tachibimoto, Shimozucho, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Earlier that morning a roughly 1-meter-long bear was sighted on the Kumano Kodo Kii-ji pilgrimage path in the Hiyamizu area; authorities say it is unknown whether the sightings were of the same individual and the city and police urged caution.
Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama
On May 5, 2026 at around 10:20 a.m., a passerby spotted a single bear approximately 1 meter long on the Kumano Kodo trail in Shimizu, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. No injuries were reported; the prefectural police urged people not to approach and to ensure their safety.
Kainan Shimizu, Wakayama
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the Kumano Kodo 'Kii-ji' pilgrimage route in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture on the morning of May 5, 2026. Police have issued a warning.
Kainan Fujishiro, Wakayama
Late on May 5, 2026, there was a report of a bear sighting near a farm road in Tachibimoto, Shimozucho, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. Earlier that morning a roughly 1-meter-long bear was sighted on the Kumano Kodo Kii-ji pilgrimage path in the Hiyamizu area; authorities say it is unknown whether the sightings were of the same individual and the city and police urged caution.
Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama
On May 5, 2026 at around 10:20 a.m., a passerby spotted a single bear approximately 1 meter long on the Kumano Kodo trail in Shimizu, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture. No injuries were reported; the prefectural police urged people not to approach and to ensure their safety.
Kainan Shimizu, Wakayama
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the Kumano Kodo 'Kii-ji' pilgrimage route in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture on the morning of May 5, 2026. Police have issued a warning.
Kainan Fujishiro, Wakayama
Peak activity at 9:00 with 1 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 3 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama; the location sits about 119.0 km from the start of the route and 2.4 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 9:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 184 km route from Mount Kōya to Tanabe Castle crosses Wakayama. Over the past 30 days, 3 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Kainan Shimotsucho-Kitsumoto, Wakayama; the location sits about 119.0 km from the start of the route and 2.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Kainan Shimizu, Wakayama, sitting about 122.2 km from the start and 1.1 km off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
