This 77.8 km route from Morioka Castle to Ryusendo Cave crosses Iwate. Over the past 30 days, 16 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 Morioka Mitsuwari, Iwate; the location sits about 5.6 km from the start of the route and 3.2 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Morioka Shimoyonai, Iwate, sitting about 5.8 km from the start and 49 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
2 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Iwate.
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
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
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
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
A bear about 1 meter long was seen moving toward the rice fields to the south.
Morioka Kuroishino 1-chome, Iwate
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
A single young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot of the Handmade Village.
Morioka Kuroishino 1-chome, Iwate
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
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
Footprints believed to be from a bear were observed.
Morioka Kamido 3-chome, Iwate
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 22:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 16 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 Morioka Mitsuwari, Iwate; the location sits about 5.6 km from the start of the route and 3.2 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 22:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 77.8 km route from Morioka Castle to Ryusendo Cave crosses Iwate. Over the past 30 days, 16 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 Morioka Mitsuwari, Iwate; the location sits about 5.6 km from the start of the route and 3.2 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Morioka Shimoyonai, Iwate, sitting about 5.8 km from the start and 49 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
