This 3.7 km route from Kurita Museum to Kurita Museum crosses Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 5 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 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 3.2 km from the start of the route and 4.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi, sitting about 9 m from the start and 874 m off the route line.
With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Tochigi.
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
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 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
Around 18:45 on April 16, 2026, a suspected Asian black bear was sighted upstream of Kawasaki Bridge in Kawasaki-machi, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The sighting occurred along the bank of the Watarase River, near Ashikaga Watarase Golf Course and Lawson Ashikaga Kawasaki store.
Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi
Around 18:45 on April 16, 2026, a suspected Asiatic black bear was sighted on the riverbank about 150 m upstream of Kawasakibashi in Kawasaki-machi, Ashikaga City. The location is roughly 2 km southwest of Tomita Station (Ryomo Line), 2.7 km northeast of Ken Station (Tobu Isesaki Line), and about 3 km north of Tatara Station; nearby landmarks include Ashikaga Watarase Golf Course and Lawson Ashikaga Kawasaki store. The sighting was mapped to the left bank of the Watarase River, but the right bank is also possible.
Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi
Peak activity at 18:00 with 2 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, 5 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 2 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 3.2 km from the start of the route and 4.4 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 18:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 3.7 km route from Kurita Museum to Kurita Museum crosses Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 5 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 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 3.2 km from the start of the route and 4.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi, sitting about 9 m from the start and 874 m off the route line. With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
