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This 60 km route runs from Obanazawa to Yamagata Castle within Yamagata. In the past 30 days, 38 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 12 of them. The latest sighting was reported 12 hours ago near Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
A bear about 1 m in body length was seen moving east along a forest road. It was not located afterward. / Environment: Forest / Size: Adult
Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata
A bear about 1 m in body length was sighted moving south along the trail. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. / Environment: forest / Size: adult
Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata
An animal resembling a bear crossed the road. / Environment: Near residential area / Size: Unknown
Yamanobe 大字北垣, Yamagata
Moved from the northern mountain, crossed farmland, and entered the southern mountain / Environment: farmland / Size: adult
Yamagata Kamisakurada, Yamagata
A bear about 50 cm to 1 m entered the mountains southeast from the parking lot. / Environment: Near houses / Size: Unknown
Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata
Environment: Forest / Size: Adult
Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata
One bear about 1 m in body length was moving toward the mountain. / Environment: mixed broadleaf forest / Size: adult
Yamagata Murakizawa, Yamagata
A bear was sighted in Murakizawa, Yamagata City, on June 12 in the morning.
Yamagata Minorigaoka, Yamagata
One bear was sighted in Iwanami, Yamagata City.
Yamagata Iwanami, Yamagata
One bear was sighted in a parking lot in Hirashimizu, Yamagata City, around 3:50 PM.
Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata
Observed one bear-like animal in the roadside drainage ditch. It ran east. / Environment: road / Size: unknown
Yamagata Jumonji, Yamagata
Reported by the ward mayor: a bear was sighted walking near the Tsuruko headworks / Environment: near houses / Size: cub
Obanazawa Tsuruko, Yamagata
A bear about 1 meter long ate cherries just before harvest at a cherry orchard in Shiratori, Murayama City.
Murayama 大字白鳥, Yamagata
Moved to the cherry orchard on the west side / Environment: farmland / Size: unknown
Higashine 大字島大堀, Yamagata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult
Obanazawa Oshikiri, Yamagata
An animal like a bear moved from the farmland toward the mountains to the south. / Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult and cub
Yamagata Shiromori, Yamagata
Two bear-like animals were sighted in Togami-mae, Yamagata City.
Yamagata Togamimae, Yamagata
One bear-like animal was sighted on a road in Izumicho, Yamagata City.
Yamagata Ochiaimachi, Yamagata
Witnessed a bear-like animal on the road / Environment: near residences / Size: adult
Yamagata Ochiaimachi, Yamagata
Person seen while doing farm work; direction of escape unknown / Environment: farmland / Size: adult
Yamagata Kamisakurada, Yamagata
Went westbound on the street within Matsunami 1-chome. Body length approximately 1 m. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata
Went from the roadway in Matsunami 1-chome toward the mountains to the south. Body length about 1.2 m. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata
Environment: farmland / Size: juvenile
Obanazawa Hosono, Yamagata
A bear was sighted twice walking on a road in Matsunami, Yamagata City, around 2:15 p.m.
Yamagata Kojirakawamachi, Yamagata
Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult
Obanazawa Gobono, Yamagata
Environment: Public facility / Size: Juvenile
Obanazawa, Yamagata
One bear was sighted in Sōgetsu-cho, Yamagata City.
Yamagata Sotsuki-shincho, Yamagata
One bear was sighted on a road at Higashizawa Reservoir in Murayama City and moved into the forested area.
Murayama 楯岡東沢, Yamagata
One bear was sighted on the road near Higashizawa Reservoir. It moved into the forest. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult
Murayama Shieldhill East Marsh, Yamagata
Size: Adult
Higashine, Yamagata
Observed a bear moving from north to south along the Oodangawa River near Hibashi Bridge / Size: juvenile
Murayama 大字林崎, Yamagata
Size: Unknown
Higashine 大字羽入, Yamagata
Environment: Forest / Size: Adult and cub
Obanazawa Nyu, Yamagata
Size: cub/juvenile
Oishida Tazawa, Yamagata
Size: Unknown
Higashine, Yamagata
Was roaming near Sankōen
Murayama 楯岡中町, Yamagata
Just after 04:00 on May 18, 2026, one bear was sighted near Sankouen in Chuo, Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture. The city warned of the possibility of further sightings and urged residents and passersby to carry noise-making devices like bells or radios and to secure their homes.
Murayama 楯岡中町, Yamagata
Sighted a bear moving on National Route 13 from east to west (on the grounds of Sankōen). / Size: adult
Murayama 楯岡中町, Yamagata
Peak activity at 10:00 with 4 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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In the past 30 days, 38 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 12 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 12 hours ago near Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 10:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 60 km route runs from Obanazawa to Yamagata Castle within Yamagata. In the past 30 days, 38 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 12 of them. The latest sighting was reported 12 hours ago near Yamagata Hirashimizu, Yamagata. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
