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This 148 km route runs from Nakai Shrine to Watarai, passing through Osaka, Mie, and Nara. In the past 30 days, 5 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days. The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Matsusaka 桂瀬町, Mie.
With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
6 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Osaka, Mie, Nara.
Matsusaka 桂瀬町, Mie
Iga 柏尾, Mie
While driving on the Yoshino-Murouji-Hari Line (Prefectural Route 28) from Hari toward Murou, I passed a waiting area marked “Baba Exit.” About 50–100 m ahead on the road I witnessed a large black animal crossing the road from right to left. It was cloudy but just after dawn, so it was somewhat bright and I could make out the animal’s color and size. The animal was entirely black and appeared to be about 1–1.5 m in body length from head to rump. Its fore and hind legs were very thick, and its overall impression was clearly different from deer, wild boar, or monkeys I have seen on the road before.
Uda Murou-Mukoji, Nara
While driving, a large dark shape crossed in front of me and at first I thought I had mistaken it, but it was clearly captured on the dashcam. From its size, color, manner of running, and the thickness of its legs, it was confirmed not to be a deer, wild boar, or monkey.
Uda Murou-Muyama, Nara
Around 16:10 on 2026-05-27, one bear-like animal (about the size of a small dog, black) was sighted in Tsutsujigaoka Minami 7-banchō, Nabari City.
Nabari つつじが丘南七番町, Mie
Peak activity at 4:00 with 2 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.
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In the past 30 days, 5 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days.
The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Matsusaka 桂瀬町, Mie.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 148 km route runs from Nakai Shrine to Watarai, passing through Osaka, Mie, and Nara. In the past 30 days, 5 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days. The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Matsusaka 桂瀬町, Mie. With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
