This 124 km route from Kiso Town to Matsushiro Castle crosses Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 14 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 Kiso, Nagano; the location sits about 26.3 km from the start of the route and 369 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 days ago at Chikuhoku, Nagano, sitting about 94.8 km from the start and 312 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
Size: Unknown
Kiso, Nagano
Size: Juvenile
Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano
Size: Juvenile
Chikuhoku, Nagano
Size: Adult
Matsumoto Gojo, 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
Size: Adult
Shiojiri, Nagano
At around 00:40 on April 29, a single bear approximately 1.5 meters long was spotted on the road in Higashiterao, Matsushiro, Nagano City; a passing car honked its horn and the bear ran away, according to a report. Police searched the area but did not find the animal and have urged local residents to be cautious.
Nagano Matsushiromachi-Higashiterao, Nagano
In the early hours of April 29, 2026, a single bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted on a road in Higashiterao, Matsushiro-cho, Nagano City; before 00:30 a passing driver honked and reported the bear left. Police searched the area but did not find the animal and no damage was reported; residents nearby were warned to be cautious.
Nagano Matsushiromachi-Higashiterao, Nagano
Size: adult
Nagano Matsushiromachi-Johoku, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Seba, Nagano
Size: juvenile
Ikeda Nakau, Nagano
Bear Sighting Information This is a notice from the Azumino City Agricultural Land and Forestry Division regarding a bear sighting. On April 15, around 7:00 AM, a sighting of one cub was reported on the riverbed approximately 300m south of the Takasegawa-nishi intersection in the Hotaka Kita-Hotaka area. If you live nearby or are going out, please carry noise-making items such as a radio or bell, and avoid approaching bushes as much as possible. Also, please do not leave food or other attractants outside the house. If you sight a bear, please contact the Agricultural Land and Forestry Division (direct: 71-2432, main: 71-2000). Azumino City Hall, Agricultural Land and Forestry Division
Azumino Kitahosono, Nagano
Size: Adult
Azumino 穂高北穂高, Nagano
Peak activity at 7:00 with 1 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 14 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 Kiso, Nagano; the location sits about 26.3 km from the start of the route and 369 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 7:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 124 km route from Kiso Town to Matsushiro Castle crosses Nagano. Over the past 30 days, 14 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 Kiso, Nagano; the location sits about 26.3 km from the start of the route and 369 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 days ago at Chikuhoku, Nagano, sitting about 94.8 km from the start and 312 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
