This 25.7 km route from Owani to Hirosaki crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 5 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori; the location sits about 5.9 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Hirosaki, Aomori, sitting about 17.9 km from the start and 506 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.
One bear was sighted in a rice field in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture, and was culled by an emergency shooting operation. The incident and response were reported on May 9, 2026, with the sighting/response occurring around 00:54.
Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori
A bear was reported sighted in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture. The article does not provide details of the sighting or whether anyone was injured.
Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori
Around 15:50 on May 7, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted climbing a tree in Hirogai (Hirosaki) Ozawa, Kanisawa area. No damage has been reported, and the city is advising nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Hirosaki, Aomori
On the daytime of April 27, 2026, one bear was sighted in Akudo, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. The article does not provide details of the sighting or whether anyone was injured.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Around 13:45 on April 22, 2026, near Taga Shrine on the mountain path in Sotoyama, Sakuraba, Hirosaki City, someone heard a sound like a bear and sighted a black hairy object. There were no injuries, and the city is conducting patrols and issuing warnings around the site.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Peak activity at 13:00 with 1 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, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori; the location sits about 5.9 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 13:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 25.7 km route from Owani to Hirosaki crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 5 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori; the location sits about 5.9 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Hirosaki, Aomori, sitting about 17.9 km from the start and 506 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.
