This 190 km route from Matsumoto to Kanazawa crosses Nagano, Ishikawa, Gifu, and Toyama. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 7 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 Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano; the location sits about 0 m from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 5 days ago at Takayama, Gifu, sitting about 62.1 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.
3 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Nagano, Ishikawa, Gifu, Toyama.
Size: Juvenile
Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano
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
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 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
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
Large bear running uphill towards the road from the forest area below.
Takayama 上岡本町, Gifu
Peak activity at 9:00 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, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 7 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 Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano; the location sits about 0 m 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 190 km route from Matsumoto to Kanazawa crosses Nagano, Ishikawa, Gifu, and Toyama. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 7 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 Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano; the location sits about 0 m from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 5 days ago at Takayama, Gifu, sitting about 62.1 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.
