This 116 km route from Morioka Castle to Akita crosses Iwate and Akita. Over the past 30 days, 194 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 22 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 8 hours ago near Akita, Akita; the location sits about 116.1 km from the start of the route and 3.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Kumoshikari, Akita, sitting about 65.6 km from the start and 12 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
I went outside to take a walk and saw a bear about 100 meters away, so I immediately went back inside. It walked toward the direction of Iijima Minami Elementary School.
Akita, Akita
Observed two bears about 0.5 m in length and one bear about 1 m in length. Direction of departure unknown. Approximately 100 m from nearby houses.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Sonoda, Akita
[Post] Standing by the guardrail on the downhill side of the expressway. Body length approx. 1.0 m.
Akita, Akita
Observed one cub climbing a tree in the northeastern parking lot on the premises of Aeon Nakasen store. It is still in the tree.
Daisen Kitanagano, Akita
On May 8, 2026, from around 07:30 for about 1.5 hours, a bear approximately 1.2 meters long stayed in a tree in the parking lot of the Aeon Nakasen store in Kita-Nagano Hakamada, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture. After police officers spotted the bear, it wandered through nearby rice fields and then left toward the west (Tamagawa); police patrolled by patrol car and warned residents.
Daisen Kitanagano, Akita
Posted: I was walking in the woods on the premises. Body length about 1 m.
Daisen Shimo-Uguisuno, Akita
[Post] A moving black shape on a private property
Akita Iijima-Naganohoncho, Akita
[Report] While driving, I witnessed one cub (about 50 cm in length) sprinting up the west-side stairs of Iijima Elementary School grounds. I could not confirm any adult bear, but it may have been with the cub.
Akita Iijima-Matsunehigashicho, Akita
Walking from the dentist toward the bakery.
Akita, Akita
[Post] While passing by in a car, I saw two bears walking on the sidewalk.
Akita, Akita
Posted: Found in the park while walking. Based on its size, it appears to be a cub.
Akita, Akita
While driving on the highway's outbound lane about 2 km from Kawabe JCT toward Daisen City, two bears were observed from a vehicle (1.0 m and 0.7 m). They ran off toward the left embankment.
Akita, Akita
I saw three bears on the slope of the old ski resort.
Senboku, Akita
Around 20:50 on the 5th, a man in his teens resting in a nearby park spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road in Akita City's Niida Kiriage. According to the Akita Central Police Station, the bear was about 10 meters from a house and about 400 meters from Niida Elementary School; the station has warned residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
Sighted a bear on the road. Body length 1 m. Departed toward the rice fields to the east. 10 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
(Posted) Went toward Iijima Minami Elementary School
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 meter in body length was seen up in a tree. Direction of departure unknown. Approximately 200 meters from nearby buildings.
Senboku, Akita
Was swimming
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
Went out behind the house. Was climbing a tree.
Daisen, Akita
[Report] A juvenile bear, estimated to be about 70–80 cm, was in front of my house. It went from the east side of my house toward the north, into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
Sighted a bear in the brush about 200 m north of the bridge. About 50 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
A pedestrian on a walk sighted one adult bear in Nishimatsuzono 2-chome, Morioka City. The bear left the scene heading south and no damage has been reported.
Morioka Mitsuwari, Iwate
A black bear (about 1 m) was rummaging through apple crates looking for apples.
Morioka Kado, Iwate
[Report] While driving on Route 13 from Omagari toward Akita, I saw a bear about 1 m tall under a cherry tree on the left. There were two holes in the embankment on the travel side that appeared to be the bear’s den.
Daisen Kyowa-Sakai, Akita
According to Morioka West Police, at around 13:50 on May 1, 2026, a passerby sighted one bear-like animal wandering near the municipal road east of Morioka Juvenile Prison at 15-1 Tsukigaoka 2-chome, Morioka City. The direction it went is unknown, and no human or property damage has been confirmed.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
On May 1, 2026, sightings of a presumed adult bear were reported multiple times in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The bear was seen at 10:50 near the FamilyMart Shibutami store in Shimoda, at 13:50 wandering on the road in Tsukigaoka 2-chome, and at 18:37 knocking over apple boxes in front of a shed in Mon/Suma; no human or property damage was reported.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
(Post) Was swimming in the river
Akita Kawashiri-Wakabamachi, Akita
Report: Around 9:20, a bear about 1 m in size was sighted. It crossed the road and left toward the mountain. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Around 9:20 a bear about 1 m tall was sighted. It crossed the road and went off toward the mountains. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed the bear crossing the road from a residence and moving toward the mountains. Bear size approximately 1 m.
Akita, Akita
Before 07:00 on May 1, 2026, a roughly 1-meter bear was spotted in a residential area of Kawabe, Akita City, and Kawabe Junior High asked parents to accompany students home. On April 29, a roughly 1-meter bear was also seen on the north breakwater of Akita Port; managers plan to use firecrackers and loudspeakers as countermeasures when the breakwater is opened.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 m in size was sighted on the residential property. It left to the north. 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
There are round footprints on the ridges I made. About 15 centimeters in diameter. Could it be a bear?
Morioka, Iwate
A bear about 0.5 m in body length was attempting to climb from a rice field up the slope of the bypass. Distance to nearby buildings approximately 60 m. Direction of departure unknown.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Kumoshikari, Akita
One bear approximately 1.2 m in length was sighted and then left; its direction of departure is unknown. It was about 10 m from a nearby house.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Yamayakawasaki, Akita
[Post] A bear was sitting at the side of the Akita Road. When I passed by, it ran off into the mountain on the left.
Akita, Akita
One bear (body length approx. 1–1.2 m) was sighted outside the fence on the north side of Akita Airport. Firecrackers were used and it fled toward the mountain side (Prefectural Central Park side).
Akita, Akita
Posted: Encountered during a walk. The bear seemed curious and approached the flashy traffic cone to look at it. Afterwards, it ran off into the depths (of the area).
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
[Post]
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
[Post] While driving, a creature that appeared to be a bear crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
was running on the sidewalk
Takizawa 篠木荒屋, Iwate
Around 10:00 on April 29, 2026, a roughly 1-meter black bear was sighted at a seaside breakwater in Akita City; footage showed it walking while sniffing the ground. A fishing event with many anglers was taking place nearby.
Akita Koyosaiwaicho, Akita
A bear appeared near a breakwater in Akita City, causing alarm among anglers and participants at a nearby fishing event. Sightings were reported repeatedly in the area, raising local concern.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Sighted one bear on the road in front of the entrance. It left toward the south. Body length 1.0 m. Distance from the residence: 5 m.
Akita Arayawariyamamachi, Akita
It tried to cross the Akita South Bypass, attempted to climb over the fence between the two directions of traffic, but gave up and returned toward the sea.
Akita, Akita
While driving from the Honjo direction, it emerged from the brush on the west side and then returned. Body length 1 m. 200 m to the nearest house.
Akita Arayashitakawaramachi, Akita
At around 13:50 on April 28, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the south entrance of the Katsuhira Hamanasu Tunnel on the Akita South Bypass in Arai-machi, Akita City, by a man in his 70s driving by. The sighting location is about 200 meters from Akita Commercial High School and about 300 meters from the nearest house; the Akita Central Police are coordinating with relevant agencies, patrolling the area, and warning residents.
Akita, Akita
[Post] On my way home I heard a cry, and when I turned around I saw a lone bear cub walking by itself.
Akita, Akita
One bear was sighted about 50 meters north of the Momosada Frog statue. Body length 1.5 m. Departed to the southeast. 800 meters to the nearest residence.
Akita, Akita
Bear sighted near the hot spring facility.
Takizawa 大沢舛村, Iwate
Around 17:20 on April 27, 2026, a passerby sighted one adult bear near the north-side waterway of Takizawa Minami Junior High in Ukai, Takizawa City. According to the Morioka West Police Station, no damage was confirmed. There were also daytime sightings in the surrounding area.
Takizawa 鵜飼滝向, Iwate
Observed one adult bear and two cubs on the riverbed of the Otobe River.
Morioka Tsunagi, Iwate
Entered the grounds of the house at the back
Akita, Akita
One bear was sighted on the municipal road in front of a house. Body length 1.0 m. When approached by a car it departed toward the north. 5 m from a residence.
Akita, Akita
Around 14:00 on April 27, one bear was sighted near Mantoku, Dobuchi, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. The city has urged nearby residents to be cautious.
Morioka Hirakashinden, Iwate
[Report] Spotted a bear crossing the river on my commute
Akita Kawashiri-Shinkawamachi, Akita
Observed a bear near the Route 4 Nakano intersection moving from west to east (toward Nakano Elementary School).
Morioka Shimoyonai, Iwate
Around 7:30 a.m. on the 27th, one bear was sighted in Matsukidaira, Kamiyonai, Morioka City. The city has issued a warning asking people to be cautious.
Morioka Yamagishi, Iwate
Spotted one adult bear and two cubs near an apple orchard.
Morioka Tsunagi, Iwate
While walking the dog, I observed one bear approximately 1 m tall in a fallow rice field. It left heading northwest. It was 30 m from a building.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
Around 18:50 on April 26, 2026, a man in his 40s walking in a rice field in Osumiminami 1-chome, Akita City, saw a bear about 1 meter long walking. The sighting was reported to the Akita Central Police Station.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
[Report] Came up from the old rice field in front of the house onto the road, then returned to the old rice field.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
Post
Senboku, Akita
While I was eating in the car, I saw a dark, low shadow/shape.
Akita Arayatorikimachi, Akita
Apples stored in the shed used for farm work and storage had been eaten. There were also many droppings resembling bear feces both inside and outside the shed.
Morioka, Iwate
At around 09:50 on April 26, 2026, an adult bear was sighted on the road south of the Tsunatori Sports Center in Asagishi, Morioka. According to the Iwate Prefectural Police, no damage has been reported.
Morioka Shimoyonai, Iwate
[Report] While driving near the Kyōwa roadside station, I witnessed one adult bear walking along the riverbank.
Daisen Kyowa-Arakawa, Akita
[Post] While driving near Michi-no-Eki Kyōwa, I witnessed one adult (bear) walking along the riverbank.
Daisen Kyowa-Arakawa, Akita
I saw it inside the tunnel.
Akita Arayaokitamachi, Akita
On April 25 before 9:00, staff and residents at a nursing home in Akita City spotted a large bear eating grass outside a glass door. The facility secured all exterior windows and closed curtains to protect residents; the bear then moved to the rear of the property and climbed a cliff.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Posted: Spotted while driving. Adult bear. Probably larger than the bears at Omoriyama Zoo.
Akita, Akita
I saw this while driving. A bear was walking in a residential neighborhood. It was an adult. It seemed larger than the bears you see at a zoo.
Akita Higashidori-myoden, Akita
Found while on a walk. It was playing on the swing.
Akita Arayatorikimachi, Akita
On April 25, 2026, a single bear was filmed eating grass inside the grounds of a nursing home in Akita City, seen through a glass door. Employees reported being frightened.
Akita Sanno, Akita
【Post】
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Sonoda, Akita
It ran off into the bushes. I heard the sound of it eating something. About 15 meters to the nearest house.
Akita Narayama-Otamachi, Akita
I was walking in the forest near the parking lot fence. Probably a cub.
Akita Arayatorikimachi, Akita
Witnessed one bear about 1 m (at shoulder or body height) crossing the road from south to north. Distance to nearby house: 20 m.
Daisen Toyooka, Akita
It ran across the road from the field on the south side and dashed into the woods behind the houses on the north side.
Daisen Toyooka, Akita
A bear was seen walking on the national road in front of Mahoroba Nursery School. Body length about 1 m. Approximately 20 m from the nursery school.
Daisen, Akita
Walked toward the rice fields. Thought to be a cub.
Akita Niida-Konakajima, Akita
A bear over 1 meter tall was walking (was seen walking).
Akita, Akita
There was a bear in a rice field beside the road. Body length approximately 1 m. Direction of departure unknown. About 10 m from nearby houses.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Nishinagano, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Spotted one bear about 80 cm. Direction of retreat unknown.
Akita, Akita
One bear approximately 80 cm. Bear sighted. Direction of escape unknown. 150 m from building.
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
At around 06:30 on April 23, 2026, a man in his 60s spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on a municipal road in Kawabe Wada Okamura, Akita City. The sighting was about 150 meters from Kawabe Elementary School, and police have warned nearby residents to be careful.
Akita, Akita
Report: Sighted one bear measuring 1 meter. Direction of escape unknown.
Akita, Akita
Observed one bear about 0.8 m tall on residential property. Direction of departure unknown. 5.0 m from a house.
Akita, Akita
I was watching the meteor shower when I heard a rustling from the drainage ditch. A large black bear ran by, and what looked like a cub followed. I was startled and called out, and the bear turned and looked back at us. Then it ran off to the south. It appeared to have crossed the road, and it’s possible it’s hiding on someone’s property. Be cautious of your surroundings when going toward the rice fields.
Akita Narayama-Jonanshinmachi, Akita
A bear-like animal was sighted. One bear about 1 m. It moved toward Senshu Park. About 40 m from nearby buildings.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 18:50 on April 22, 2026, a man in his 30s spotted a bear about 1 meter long on a stone wall in Senshu Park in central Akita City. Police arrived but the bear had already disappeared; Meitoku Elementary School was about 40 meters away, and the Akita Central Police urged nearby residents and schools to be cautious.
Akita Senshu-kubotamachi, Akita
Spotted a bear about 1 m long in the mountains. The bear left into the forest. The nearest houses are about 700 m away.
Senboku, Akita
According to Iwate Prefectural Police, at around 15:00 on the 22nd an adult bear was sighted on the Nakatsugawa riverbed near the Tsunatori observation deck in Asagishi Futamori, Morioka City. It was wandering downstream along the left bank of the riverbed.
Morioka Shimoyonai, Iwate
While working in a rice field, the reporter saw one medium-sized bear on the lower slope of the mountain behind them. They scared it off with a rocket firework, and it ran up into the mountain.
Morioka, Iwate
Spotted a bear about 1.0 m in size in a rice field. It then left heading south. 200 m from a residence.
Akita, Akita
On April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted in central Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The bear was reported near Meitoku Elementary School and moved off toward Senshu Park.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 70–80 cm long crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
Crossed the road and went into the bushes.
Senboku, Akita
A bear was sighted on the road on the west side of Akita Technical High School's ground. Body length 1.0 m. It left heading west. 30 m from the school ground.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 14:15 on April 21, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the west side of the Akita Technical High School ground in Hodono Hatcho, Akita City. The witness was a female student (middle-school-aged/teen), the bear then moved toward a residential area, and police have been patrolling the area and issuing warnings.
Akita Izumihigashimachi, Akita
In Akita Prefecture a police officer was reported injured after being attacked by a bear, and a woman's body was found nearby. Sightings of so‑called "spring bears" have surged after hibernation: as of 21 April at 21:00 there were about 200 reports in the prefecture, and experts say bears are waking earlier and many individuals are larger than usual.
Akita Sanno, Akita
I was driving in my car when I saw one (a bear) climbing a tree.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 0.5 m in body length was in the rice field. Distance to the nearest house was about 20 m. It left heading north.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Kumoshikari, Akita
[Post] Spotted a bear about 0.8 m tall in the grove in front of the apartment
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
[Post] Found scattered droppings every 5 meters along the village path.
Akita Arayahiyoshimachi, Akita
[Post] While driving, I saw what looked like a bear in the Sarutagawa River. It was fairly large.
Akita, Akita
At Kamikitade Elementary School, one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was sighted along the Saruda River to the northeast. It left heading northeast. Distance from the nearest facility: 150 m.
Akita, Akita
[Post] It was in the gap of a car and was looking inside the vehicle.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving, I witnessed one running across a rice paddy.
Akita, Akita
On Prefectural Route 252 (Mizusawa-Nishisenboku Line), 2.3 km from the Mizusawa side of National Route 46 toward Nishisenboku, a bear was sighted at the edge of a rice paddy about 10 meters from the prefectural road. About 500 meters to the nearest house.
Daisen Tsuchikawa, Akita
While driving, I sighted one bear about 1.0 m in body length on the sidewalk. It left heading southwest. 15 m from the nearest facility.
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
[Post] Running along a narrow path through the rice fields
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
In front of Nice, it was running through the rice fields. Police have been notified.
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
Observed one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length in front of the residence on the roadway. It departed heading south. Distance from a house: 3.0 m.
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita Kamikitate-Aramaki, Akita
[Report] While driving, I saw a bear on shrine grounds. The bear noticed me and moved toward the mountain. About 1 m in size, 15 m from houses.
Akita Kamikitate-Aramaki, Akita
[Post] While walking the dog, I noticed a bear appearing down below about 1.5 m tall. It was fairly plump.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Inside Hitotsumori Park, from inside a car about 10 meters away, there were people walking and jogging nearby.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Footprints Found
Akita Arayayutakamachi, Akita
[Report] A bear on the road. It fled into a residential garden.
Akita, Akita
One bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was observed on the road in front of a house. It departed to the south. 10 m from the nearest house.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear about 0.8 m in size in the woods. It then moved further into the forest; direction of travel unknown. 100 m from buildings.
Akita, Akita
[Post] There were bear-like footprints in the field
Akita Arayahiyoshimachi, Akita
Witnessed a bear in a vacant lot. Size unknown. It left heading north. About 5 meters from a residence.
Akita Niida-Midoricho, Akita
In a residential area of Ushijima Higashi, Akita City, a security camera recorded a bear running across the road at around 05:42 on April 19; about 15 seconds later a pedestrian appeared, creating a near-collision situation. Sightings have increased across the prefecture in April, but no human injuries have been reported so far.
Akita Narayama-Jonanmachi, Akita
On April 19, 2026 at around 05:40, a security camera at a residence in Ushijima Higashi, Akita City captured footage of a bear about 1 meter long walking through a residential area. The same day, a man walking near JR Ugo-Ushijima Station also spotted the bear, and police have urged caution in the Ushijima Higashi area.
Akita Ushijimahigashi 5-chome, Akita
Sighted a bear approximately 0.5 m in size on the road. It left heading north. 5 m from a residence.
Akita Ushijimahigashi 5-chome, Akita
[Post] Entered the parking area of a residence
Akita Osumi 1-chome, Akita
Sighted a bear approximately 1.0 m in size on the road. It departed southeast. 5 m from a house.
Akita Osumi 1-chome, Akita
[Report] Ran through the intersection heading toward the Akita Bank Oroshimachi branch
Akita Barajima 7-chome, Akita
A bear was sighted on the road. Size approximately 1.0 m. It moved off toward the south. 3 m from a house.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
[Report] Came out from near the apartment parking lot, walked to partway along the sidewalk, then turned back into the bushes.
Akita, Akita
It ran from the riverside toward the residential area.
Akita Barajima 6-chome, Akita
Witnessed a bear moving north from the riverbed area while driving on the road. Size approximately 1.0 m. 30 m from houses.
Akita Barajima 7-chome, Akita
It ran out from the apartment parking lot onto the road, ran in front of my car, and went into the former Jujo Golf Practice Range site.
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
Sighted a bear on the road. Size about 0.8 m. It then walked off to the east. 10 m from a house.
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
Spotted a bear approximately 1.5 m in size on the roadway. It then moved east. 5 meters from a residence.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
Posted: It was captured on the security camera.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
Observed a bear moving from the southwest to the northwest within the residence. Size about 1.5 m. 3 m from a dwelling.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
Post: Police were broadcasting and going around telling people to refrain from going outside because a bear had appeared.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
It came walking from the direction of the FamilyMart and went into the grassy area.
Akita Arayahiyoshimachi, Akita
On the evening of April 18, 2026, a home security camera in Akitashi, Arayamotomachi recorded a bear about 1 meter long walking on the property. Sightings were reported nearby and the filmer submitted the information to the prefectural bear information map (Kuma-das).
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
While driving on the national highway, I observed one bear crossing the road from west to east. Size approximately 1.0 m. 50 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
While driving, a bear about 1 m in total length was spotted walking on the sidewalk. It then walked into the bushes.
Akita, Akita
A 70 cm bear was sighted on the road. It then left heading north. 10 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
A bear approximately 1.0 m in size was sighted on the road. It then left heading north. 10 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
A young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot at the Handicraft Village.
Morioka Isari-Hatakenaka, Iwate
A 1.0-m bear was sighted in the facility parking lot. It moved off toward the brush on the south side. It was 10 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
(Report) About 1 meter long. Crossed the road and entered the brush.
Akita, Akita
While heading toward Route 7, it crossed the road from left to right.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long was seen moving toward the rice fields to the south.
Morioka Kuroishino 1-chome, Iwate
Observed from inside a car, illuminated by headlights. It ran away when the horn was sounded.
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
Around 16:00 on April 15, 2026, a schoolchild leaving school in Kuroishino 1-chome, Morioka City, spotted two bears (one large and one small) in the brush north of Midorigaoka Elementary School. Police searched the area but did not find the bears; one other sighting believed to be of the same animals was reported, and warnings and patrols are ongoing in the area.
Morioka Kuroishino 1-chome, Iwate
[Post]
Akita, Akita
A single young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot of the Handmade Village.
Morioka Kuroishino 1-chome, Iwate
It stayed about 20 meters from the house.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Nishinagano, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 m in length was sighted moving toward the rice fields to the south.
Morioka Momijigaoka, Iwate
Observed one animal believed to be a bear the size of a large dog.
Morioka Momijigaoka, Iwate
One bear approximately 1 m in size was sighted on the road in front of the house. The bear left the road heading south. The distance to the nearest house was about 5 m.
Akita Arayahinaimachi, Akita
At around 17:40 on April 14, a 60-year-old woman at home saw a bear about 1 meter long on a road in Akitashi Araya Hinai-machi through her window. The bear was about 5 meters from a house; police patrolled the area by patrol car and contacted relevant agencies, and the prefecture issued a Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) sighting alert urging caution.
Akita Arayahinaimachi, Akita
[Report] A large bear crossed the road from a residential area and headed toward the shrine.
Akita Arayaomotemachi, Akita
One bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was sighted inside a residence. It left heading south onto the road.
Akita Arayaomotemachi, Akita
Between the night of April 13, 2026 and shortly after 13:00 on April 14, there were a total of 10 bear sightings in the Araya area of Akita City; on the morning of the 14th a single bear about 1 meter long was confirmed in Araya Kurita-machi. The surrounding area has dense undergrowth and poor visibility, residents expressed anxiety, and nearby Nisshin Elementary School asked parents to pick up their children at dismissal.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
[Post] Ran down the municipal road from north to south
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
A 1.5 m long bear was seen in the homeowner's yard and then left heading west.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
A single bear about 1.5 m in body length was sighted from inside the house. It departed from the east side toward the south.
Akita Arayamotomachi, Akita
Bear sighted from second floor in the west-side fields. Walked off to the north. Body length 1.0 m. 10 m from a house.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
Bear sighted in a field at 13 Araya Kurita Town. Walked off to the west. Body length 1.0 m. 50 m from a residence.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
One bear sighted.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
A single bear about 1.2 m in body length was sighted on the residential property. It left the area, but the direction it went is unknown.
Akita Arayakatsuhiramachi, Akita
Spotted a bear in the field. After going west from the field, it returned and is prowling around. Body length 1.0 m, one bear, 5 m from a house.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
On 2026-04-14 at about 08:15 a.m., a roughly 1-meter bear was sighted by an elderly woman in a field in Kurita-cho, Niya, Akita City; police patrolled the area and issued warnings. Nearby schools suspended outdoor activities.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
Body length about 0.6 m; about 10 m to the nearby house.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Nishinagano, Akita
There were multiple bear sightings in the residential area of Araya Kuritadacho, Akita City, and a nearby special support school moved classes indoors.
Akita Arayakuritamachi, Akita
Multiple bear sightings were reported in a residential area of Akita City, Akita Prefecture. Nearby schools canceled outdoor activities to ensure the safety of students.
Akita Yabase-Shinkawamukai, Akita
Around 22:30 on April 13, 2026, one bear cub appeared near Kamido 3-chome, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, and ran east toward the Kitakami River. There were no human or property damages.
Morioka Kamido 3-chome, Iwate
Bear sighted on the city road north of Shōheiji Temple. Went off to the east. Body length 1.0 m, one bear. 5 m from a house.
Akita Arayaminamihamamachi, Akita
Around 20:00 on the 13th, a man in his 50s spotted a bear about 1 meter long on a city road in Niya Minamihama-cho, Akita City. The bear was about 5 meters from a residence and roughly 850 meters from a nearby junior high school; the Akita Central Police are patrolling the area by patrol car and warning residents.
Akita Arayaminamihamamachi, Akita
[Report] Body length just under 1 m — 10 m from nearby houses
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Nishinagano, Akita
Witnessed a bear moving northward along the road. Body length approximately 0.5 m. Distance to nearby house about 2 m.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Nishinagano, Akita
Observed one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length on the road. It departed to the north. Distance to the nearest house: 10 m.
Akita, Akita
Around 14:00 on April 13, 2026, a man in his 60s riding a bicycle spotted a bear about 1 meter long on a municipal road in Hamada Aza Ushiroyachi, Akita City. Akita Central Police Station warned residents, reporting the nearest house was about 5 meters away and an elementary school about 750 meters away.
Akita, Akita
Report: Around 13:45, while working in a field at the location, I spotted a bear approaching. The bear noticed me as well and, after a few seconds, went off toward the Ōmori-yama Park side.
Akita, Akita
Was eating grass in a field about 200 m from a private house. Left heading northwest.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Nishinagano, Akita
Footprints believed to be from a bear were observed.
Morioka Kamido 3-chome, Iwate
[Report] While driving toward the Akita City area, I witnessed a bear crossing from the side of the former Mineyoshikawa Elementary School toward the mountains.
Daisen Kyowa-Mineyoshikawa, Akita
Distance to nearest house: approximately 70 m. Witnessed from inside a vehicle while the bear was in the rice field. A passing fire brigade member set off firecrackers and drove it away. It left toward the mountains to the south.
Akita, Akita
There was a bear in the mountains. Body length 0.5 m. Direction of departure unknown. Distance to the nearest house: 300 m.
Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Nishinagano, Akita
In Morioka (Kawame), a man in his 70s saw an adult bear enter his garage around 00:30 on April 10 after his dog barked and reported it to the police. When checked around 08:30, 3–4 apples stored in a shed had been eaten and the bear had already left; the city set box traps to attempt capture.
Morioka Konyacho, Iwate
Peak activity at 17:00 with 21 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 194 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 22 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 8 hours ago near Akita, Akita; the location sits about 116.1 km from the start of the route and 3.6 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 17:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 116 km route from Morioka Castle to Akita crosses Iwate and Akita. Over the past 30 days, 194 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 22 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 8 hours ago near Akita, Akita; the location sits about 116.1 km from the start of the route and 3.6 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Senboku Kakunodatemachi-Kumoshikari, Akita, sitting about 65.6 km from the start and 12 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
