This 34.3 km route from Matsumoto Castle to Ariake yama crosses Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 10 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 3 days ago near Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano; the location sits about 26.4 km from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Azumino 穂高北穂高, Nagano, sitting about 21.5 km from the start and 48 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
Size: cub
Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano
A single bear appeared in the garden of a private home in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, and was captured with a tranquillizer gun. Experts warn the bear is likely awake from hibernation and searching for food.
Azumino 豊科南穂高, Nagano
On May 3 in Hotaka Ariake, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, a roughly 1‑meter bear stayed in the backyard of a residence for about four hours and was captured and euthanized with a tranquilizer gun by hunters around 14:30. The area mixes fields and houses, and no injuries to residents were reported.
Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano
On May 3, 2026, an adult bear (about 1 meter long) was sighted around 09:00 in the yard of a private home in Hotaka Ariake, Azumino City, Nagano. City officials, police and local hunters guarded the area, and the bear was captured with a tranquilizer gun around 14:30 and subsequently euthanized. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano
On 2026-05-03, one bear appeared in the garden of a private home in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture and remained there for about four hours before the hunting association captured it with a tranquillizer gun. The bear was an adult about one meter long; there were no injuries or property damage.
Azumino 豊科南穂高, Nagano
Size: adult
Azumino, Nagano
Size: adult
Azumino, Nagano
Size: adult (fully grown)
Azumino, Nagano
Size: Adult
Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano
Size: Adult
Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano
Size: juvenile
Ikeda Nakau, Nagano
Size: Adult
Azumino, Nagano
Bear Sighting Information This is a notice from the Azumino City Agricultural Land and Forestry Division regarding a bear sighting. On April 15, around 7:00 AM, a sighting of one cub was reported on the riverbed approximately 300m south of the Takasegawa-nishi intersection in the Hotaka Kita-Hotaka area. If you live nearby or are going out, please carry noise-making items such as a radio or bell, and avoid approaching bushes as much as possible. Also, please do not leave food or other attractants outside the house. If you sight a bear, please contact the Agricultural Land and Forestry Division (direct: 71-2432, main: 71-2000). Azumino City Hall, Agricultural Land and Forestry Division
Azumino Kitahosono, Nagano
Size: Adult
Azumino 穂高北穂高, Nagano
Peak activity at 9:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 10 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 3 days ago near Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano; the location sits about 26.4 km from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 9:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 34.3 km route from Matsumoto Castle to Ariake yama crosses Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 10 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 3 days ago near Azumino 穂高有明, Nagano; the location sits about 26.4 km from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Azumino 穂高北穂高, Nagano, sitting about 21.5 km from the start and 48 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
