This 159 km route from Mito to Takasaki crosses Ibaraki, Gunma, and Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 20 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 4 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 Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 86.6 km from the start of the route and 874 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 month ago at Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi, sitting about 94.6 km from the start and 461 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
5 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Ibaraki, Gunma, Tochigi.
On May 12, 2026, a single bear was sighted on a prefectural road in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, according to Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital. Further details are behind a paywall.
Sano 高砂町, Tochigi
On May 11, 2026, between about 16:00 and 17:00, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted on the prefectural road (Tanuma–Karasawayama Park Line) leading from Tochimoto Park toward Karasawayama in Tochimotocho, Sano City. The bear headed west after the sighting.
Sano 栃本町, Tochigi
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
At around 11:55 on May 8, 2026, an animal believed to be an Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted on a mountain path near 1579 Tsukidani-cho, Ashikaga City (around Gyodozan Join-ji). The area is a popular hiking course.
Ashikaga 月谷町, Tochigi
Takasaki 榛名山町, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
A bear was reported sighted in a mountain forest in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The full article is behind a paywall, so further details are not available.
Sano 高砂町, Tochigi
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
A bear believed to be a roughly 2-meter Asiatic black bear suddenly charged out and in an instant ran off into the forest.
Takasaki 箕郷町松之沢, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Around 18:00 on April 25, 2026, a suspected Asian black bear was sighted in Ashikaga City, near 100 m east of Kotani Benten in Honjo 1-chome. This location is about 1.7 km north of Orihime Park where a bear was seen on April 17.
Ashikaga 江川町, Tochigi
On 2026-04-23, a bear was reported sighted in a field in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article did not provide details of the sighting or whether there were any damages or injuries.
Ashikaga 雪輪町, Tochigi
On the morning of April 21, 2026, one bear was sighted on the riverside in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.
Ashikaga 雪輪町, Tochigi
Around 07:20 on April 21, 2026, an animal believed to be an Asian black bear was sighted on the riverbank in Oomae-cho, Ashikaga City. The sighting occurred about 150 m southwest of the Oomae baseball field, roughly 1.4 km west of Yamamae Station on the JR Ryomo Line; it may have come down the Matsudagawa River.
Ashikaga 大前町, Tochigi
Ashikaga 葉鹿南町, Tochigi
Around 18:30 on April 17, 2026, a bear believed to be an Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted at Orihime Park in Tomoecho, Ashikaga City. The report was based on Ashikaga City's official X account; the sighting occurred in an urban area near Orihime Shrine and the city hall.
Ashikaga 巴町, Tochigi
A single bear was sighted on a road in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. Further details are reported in a paywalled article on Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital.
Sano 高砂町, Tochigi
Ashikaga 巴町, Tochigi
Around 18:45 on April 16, 2026, a suspected Asian black bear was sighted upstream of Kawasaki Bridge in Kawasaki-machi, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The sighting occurred along the bank of the Watarase River, near Ashikaga Watarase Golf Course and Lawson Ashikaga Kawasaki store.
Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi
Around 18:45 on April 16, 2026, a suspected Asiatic black bear was sighted on the riverbank about 150 m upstream of Kawasakibashi in Kawasaki-machi, Ashikaga City. The location is roughly 2 km southwest of Tomita Station (Ryomo Line), 2.7 km northeast of Ken Station (Tobu Isesaki Line), and about 3 km north of Tatara Station; nearby landmarks include Ashikaga Watarase Golf Course and Lawson Ashikaga Kawasaki store. The sighting was mapped to the left bank of the Watarase River, but the right bank is also possible.
Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi
Peak activity at 18:00 with 4 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.
No comments yet.
Over the past 30 days, 20 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 4 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 Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 86.6 km from the start of the route and 874 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 18:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 159 km route from Mito to Takasaki crosses Ibaraki, Gunma, and Tochigi. Over the past 30 days, 20 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 4 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 Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 86.6 km from the start of the route and 874 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 month ago at Ashikaga 川崎町, Tochigi, sitting about 94.6 km from the start and 461 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
