This 279 km route from Matsue to Shimonoseki crosses Shimane and Yamaguchi. Over the past 30 days, 22 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 15 hours ago near Masuda Somebacho, Shimane; the location sits about 162.8 km from the start of the route and 870 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 days ago at Hagi Sanmi, Yamaguchi, sitting about 235.0 km from the start and 29 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
3 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Shimane, Yamaguchi.
At around 10:15 a.m. on May 8, 2026, one bear was near the Kuroishikamibus stop in Tōda-cho, Masuda City.
Masuda Somebacho, Shimane
Shortly after 10:00 on May 8, 2026, a bear was sighted in the hillside near a bus stop along Route 9 in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Another sighting was reported the same morning on the hill behind a hospital, for a total of two sightings.
Masuda Sakaemachi, Shimane
Hagi Sanmi, Yamaguchi
Around 5:20 p.m. on May 5, 2026, near Kumano-Matsu Shrine in Nakajima-cho, Masuda City, one bear was sighted
Masuda Nakanoshimacho, Shimane
At around 09:50 on May 5, one bear was sighted in the mountains near the Yoshigaeki bus stop on Route 9 in Shimane Prefecture's Masuda City. At around 14:00 the same day, an adult bear was also sighted near the Nakatani-shita community hall in Utani, Kisuki-cho, Unnan City; witnesses reported it crossed a bridge and headed toward the mountains.
Masuda Shimohongocho, Shimane
Around 9:50 a.m. on May 5, 2026, one bear was [located/found] on the mountain near the Yoshigaami bus stop on National Route 9 in Shimohongocho, Masuda City.
Masuda Shimohongocho, Shimane
On May 3, 2026, at approximately 3:40 a.m. and again at approximately 7:40 a.m., a single adult bear about 1 meter in body length was in the Kokubun district of Hamada City.
Hamada Kokubucho, Shimane
On May 3, around 03:40 and again around 07:40, a single adult bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Kokubu-cho, Hamada City.
Hamada Kokubucho, Shimane
On the morning of April 30, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Tamayu, Matsue City, prompting schools to suspend club activities. It was later confirmed the animal was not a bear but a cat.
Matsue Tamayucho-Tamatsukuri, Shimane
Around 6:45 p.m. on April 29, 2026, on a municipal road in Daikoku, Nima Town, one adult bear
Oda Nimacho-Oguni, Shimane
At around 10:00 a.m. on April 26, 2026, between Sanin Expressway Tōda IC and Hisashiro IC, one bear about 1 meter in body length was [observed/detected].
Masuda Todacho, Shimane
Around 06:30 on April 26, a driver spotted a single bear about 1.5 meters long sitting on company premises along Prefectural Route 11 (Hagi-Shino line) in Tsubaki-Higashi, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Police reported no injuries and are patrolling the area and urging caution.
Hagi Chinto, Yamaguchi
Hagi Chinto, Yamaguchi
Around 7:30 a.m. on April 25, 2026, one bear was sighted near the intersection of the Masuda-Tane-Misumi Line and the Tanigami-Enda Line in Higashimachi.
Masuda Somebacho, Shimane
At around 07:30 on April 25, 2026, one bear was sighted at the intersection of Masuda-Tane-Misumi Line and Taniue-Enda Line in Higashimachi, Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture.
Masuda Somebacho, Shimane
Around 17:20 on April 24, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted on a prefectural road in Omoricho Shimosama, Oda City, Shimane Prefecture.
Oda Omoricho, Shimane
Around 5:20 PM on April 24, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was on a prefectural road in Shimosa-ma, Omori-cho, Ōda City.
Oda Kuricho-Sama, Shimane
Hagi Susa, Yamaguchi
Hagi Sanmi, Yamaguchi
Hagi Sanmi, Yamaguchi
Nagato Misumikami, Yamaguchi
On April 12, 2026, one adult Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) was [found/reported] in the Sotono-ura neighborhood of Hamada City.
Hamada Tonouracho, Shimane
Peak activity at 7:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 22 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 15 hours ago near Masuda Somebacho, Shimane; the location sits about 162.8 km from the start of the route and 870 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 7:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 279 km route from Matsue to Shimonoseki crosses Shimane and Yamaguchi. Over the past 30 days, 22 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 15 hours ago near Masuda Somebacho, Shimane; the location sits about 162.8 km from the start of the route and 870 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 days ago at Hagi Sanmi, Yamaguchi, sitting about 235.0 km from the start and 29 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
