This 200 km route from Matsumoto to Higashiyama Sugawara Shrine crosses Nagano, Ishikawa, Gifu, and Toyama. Over the past 30 days, 9 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 4 days ago near Takayama 奥飛騨温泉郷平湯, Gifu; the location sits about 53.4 km from the start of the route and 785 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Takayama, Gifu, sitting about 58.3 km from the start and 90 m off the route line.
With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
9 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Nagano, Ishikawa, Gifu, Toyama.
There was a bear on the slope beside the first parking lot at Hirayu Great Falls. I contacted the police as a precaution.
Takayama 奥飛騨温泉郷平湯, Gifu
It was a fairly thin bear. I spotted it about 15 meters to my side moving away toward the rear.
Matsumoto, Nagano
It appeared/was seen beside the national highway.
Takayama, Gifu
Around 11:30 AM on May 2, 2026, a tourist spotted an adult bear about 1 meter long moving toward the mountain within the precincts of Hie Shrine in Shiroyama, Takayama City, the city announced.
Takayama 城山, Gifu
Size: adult (fully grown)
Matsumoto, Nagano
Around 13:00, a passerby reported seeing a bear cub to the reception at Fudōji Temple, and the report was forwarded to the Agriculture and Forestry Promotion Division via the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division. Because the witness could not stay to accompany officials, no on-site inspection was carried out; however, the location was inferred based on the details of the report.
Oyabe, Ishikawa
On the afternoon of April 26, 2026, a security guard spotted a bear near Kurikara Fudoji in Tsubata Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. Town staff and members of the hunters' association patrolled the area, and the bear reportedly fled into the mountain opposite the festival site.
Tsubata Kurikara, Ishikawa
Around 13:50 on April 26, a bear about 70 cm long was sighted on a road near Kurikara Fudo-ji in Tsubata Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. A security guard observed the bear, which ran toward the mountain away from the festival site; town staff and the local hunters' association are patrolling the area and urging caution.
Tsubata Kurikara, Ishikawa
At around 13:50, an event security guard at the Yaezakura Festival reported via the Commerce and Tourism Division that a bear cub (about 70 cm in body length) had been sighted. A field inspection was conducted, but no traces or evidence were found.
Oyabe, Ishikawa
Peak activity at 13:00 with 4 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, 9 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 4 days ago near Takayama 奥飛騨温泉郷平湯, Gifu; the location sits about 53.4 km from the start of the route and 785 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 13:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 200 km route from Matsumoto to Higashiyama Sugawara Shrine crosses Nagano, Ishikawa, Gifu, and Toyama. Over the past 30 days, 9 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 4 days ago near Takayama 奥飛騨温泉郷平湯, Gifu; the location sits about 53.4 km from the start of the route and 785 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Takayama, Gifu, sitting about 58.3 km from the start and 90 m off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
