Saves as a new trip plan. The original stays as-is.
This 47 km route runs from Odate to Hirosaki, passing through Akita and Aomori. In the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 3 of them. The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Odate, Akita.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
Driver sighted one bear crossing the road (body length 50 cm) / direction of travel: west
Odate, Akita
On May 21 at around 12:30, a report was made of a parent-and-child bear in an apple orchard south of Taketate Elementary School in Hirakawa City. City staff patrolling the area sighted a bear-like animal at about 13:30; police and the hunting association conducted searches with drones but could not confirm the bear. The city halted school activities and will set a box trap at 09:00 on May 22.
Hirakawa Okidate, Aomori
A bear was sighted in Okidate Miyazaki, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hirakawa Okidate, Aomori
At around 08:15 on May 18, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted at the Mitake River in Mitake-machi, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. There were no human injuries; because the area is near Hirosaki University Affiliated Elementary School and Hirosaki Jitsugyo High School, the city and police are responding.
Hirosaki, Aomori
Around 08:15 on May 18, one bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Mitake-cho, Hirosaki City. The location is near Mitake River between Hirosaki University Faculty of Education Affiliated Kindergarten and Hirosaki Jitsugyo High School; no damage has been reported.
Hirosaki, Aomori
[Bear Sighting] Near 13-17 Mitakecho ▼Date/Time: May 18 (Mon) around 8:15 AM ▼Number: 1 (about 1 m in length) ▼Details: Spotted in a drainage canal
Hirosaki 大字三岳町, Aomori
A member of the public traveling on a city road sighted one bear (body length unknown) in the bushes / direction of movement unknown / 250 m west of Hokuyo Junior High School.
Odate, Akita
A passerby sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) crossing the road from east to west and leaving the area.
Odate Yachimachi-ushiro, Akita
The bear headed from the national highway into the forest.
Odate, Akita
Reported: Body approximately 1 meter. Walking in a mountain very close to the road.
Odate, Akita
While a vehicle was in motion, one bear (approximately 1.0 m in body length) was sighted / Direction of travel: east / Approximately 50 m to the nearest residence
Odate, Akita
At around 16:50 on April 27, 2026, a man in his 30s driving in Odate City, Karasawa Inariyama-shimo, spotted one bear about 1 meter long on the road. The nearest house is about 50 meters away and there is a hospital in the area; the police are patrolling the vicinity and urging residents to be cautious.
Odate Karasawa, Akita
A staff member at a nearby facility sighted one bear (body length unknown) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 150 meters from the nearest facility
Odate Shakanai, Akita
In the forest at Odate City, Shakainai, at around 10:20 a.m. on the 27th, school staff spotted one bear about 50 cm in length. The nearest house is about 30 meters away and Shakainai Elementary School about 10 meters; the police notified related agencies, are patrolling the area with patrol cars, and have warned residents to be cautious.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
Peak activity at 8:00 with 3 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.
Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.
No comments yet.
In the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 3 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Odate, Akita.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 8:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 47 km route runs from Odate to Hirosaki, passing through Akita and Aomori. In the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 3 of them. The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Odate, Akita. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
