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  4. Oirase River to Hirakawa Hiking Route

Oirase River to Hirakawa Hiking Route

High Risk · 81.5 km · 17h 8m · 3 stops · 16 sightings · Saved May 12, 2026 · Last updated 7 hours ago
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1
Incidents in last 7 days
16
Incidents in last 30 days
6 days ago
Latest Incident

Safety Summary

This 81.5 km route from Oirase River to Hirakawa crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 16 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 6 days ago near Towada, Aomori; the location sits about 50.8 km from the start of the route and 1.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Towada, Aomori, sitting about 46.4 km from the start and 39 m off the route line.

At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.

Your Route

Route Profile

Highlights Along Your Route (1)

1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Aomori.

Oirase River
High Risk

Oirase River

Aomori

641 incidents

Oirase River
High Risk

Oirase River

Aomori

641 incidents

Route Timeline

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S
Oirase River, Aomori
High Risk 55.4 km 11h 23m 14 sightings within 5 km

A single cub was sighted near the Onabuyama observation deck in Okuze, Towada City, at around 08:20 on May 8, 2026.

Towada, Aomori

News ·6 days ago
Hachinohe, Aomori

Around 18:00 on May 5, 2026, one bear was sighted near Furudate in Ichikawa-cho, Hachinohe City. The sighting was reported approximately 500 meters southwest of the Ichikawa post office.

Hachinohe, Aomori

News ·1 week ago
Hachinohe Ichikawamachi, Aomori

Around 17:00 on 2026-05-05, a parent-and-cub bear appeared in the precincts (cemetery) of Ganjoji temple in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture; people visiting the graves sighted the bears. Three people sheltered in a nearby hall, police arrived about ten minutes after the report, and the temple posted warnings asking visitors to take offerings home.

Hachinohe Ichikawamachi, Aomori

News ·1 week ago
Show 11 more

At around 08:00 on May 4, 2026, one bear was sighted near the Yonezawa Community Center in Shimoyoshida Yonezawa, Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.

Rokunohe Shimoyoshita, Aomori

News ·1 week ago
Towada, Aomori

On May 3, 2026, around 11:00 a.m., one bear was sighted near Shimeikei on the Oirase stream in Okuse, Towada City.

Towada, Aomori

News ·1 week ago
Towada, Aomori

There was one in an open area a short distance down a forestry road. It was sniffing around the ground, so maybe it was hungry?

Towada, Aomori

2 weeks ago
Towada, Aomori

A bear was sighted near the Ishigedo rest area on the Oirase Stream in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, around midday on April 24, 2026.

Towada, Aomori

News ·2 weeks ago
Towada, Aomori

The city announced that a single cub was sighted near the Ishikedo rest area of the Oirase Stream in Towada City at around 11:50 a.m. on the 24th.

Towada, Aomori

News ·2 weeks ago
Rokunohe Inuotose, Aomori

Around 07:00 on April 24, 2026, the town announced that a single juvenile bear was sighted on the road west of Tatenodai housing complex in Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. No injuries were reported.

Rokunohe Inuotose, Aomori

News ·2 weeks ago
Towada Nishi-nibancho, Aomori

On April 24, 2026, a bear sighting was reported in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The article did not provide a detailed location or time of the sighting.

Towada Nishi-nibancho, Aomori

News ·3 weeks ago
Towada Nishi-jurokubancho, Aomori

On April 20, 2026, a single bear approximately 1.0 m long was sighted around 05:40 in Aisaka Shirakami, Towada City. Around 13:30 the same day, a bear about 80 cm long was also observed in the same area (city announcement).

Towada Nishi-jurokubancho, Aomori

News ·3 weeks ago
Gonohe, Aomori

Witnessed by several people. It appears to be a cub.

Gonohe, Aomori

3 weeks ago

A bear was sighted in Towada City, Sanbongi Shimokawahara on April 19, 2026 at about 10:45 AM. Then on April 20 at around 1:30 PM a single adult bear about 80 cm long was confirmed in Towada City, Aisaka Shirakami.

Towada, Aomori

News ·3 weeks ago

At around 13:00 on April 18, 2026, the town reported a single bear approximately 1.20–1.45 meters long was sighted near the Narita rice mill in the Kodaira district of Rokunohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.

Rokunohe Kodaira, Aomori

News ·3 weeks ago
1
Towada, Aomori
Moderate Risk 26.1 km 5h 45m 6 sightings within 5 km

A single cub was sighted near the Onabuyama observation deck in Okuze, Towada City, at around 08:20 on May 8, 2026.

Towada, Aomori

News ·6 days ago
Towada, Aomori

On May 3, 2026, around 11:00 a.m., one bear was sighted near Shimeikei on the Oirase stream in Okuse, Towada City.

Towada, Aomori

News ·1 week ago
Towada, Aomori

On the morning of May 3, 2026, one bear was sighted at the Oirase Gorge in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. There have been no reports of injuries or capture.

Towada, Aomori

News ·1 week ago
Show 3 more
Hirakawa, Aomori

On Route 102 on the way to the Gohabezuyama observation deck at Lake Towada. It slowly approached, but moved to the side of the road as if to avoid the car, and we passed by.

Hirakawa, Aomori

2 weeks ago
Towada, Aomori

A bear was sighted near the Ishigedo rest area on the Oirase Stream in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, around midday on April 24, 2026.

Towada, Aomori

News ·2 weeks ago
Towada, Aomori

The city announced that a single cub was sighted near the Ishikedo rest area of the Oirase Stream in Towada City at around 11:50 a.m. on the 24th.

Towada, Aomori

News ·2 weeks ago
G
Hirakawa, Aomori
Total Distance: 81.5 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 8:00 with 2 incidents

Asian black bears on your route

Asian Black Bear

Asian Black Bear

Ursus thibetanus japonicus

Range
Honshu, Shikoku
Size
80–120 kg
Active
Dawn & dusk

Sharing space safely

  • ·Make noise as you walk; carry bear spray
  • ·If charged, stand firm and use the spray
  • ·If contact happens, resist firmly. They retreat when met with resistance
  • ·Don't climb. They climb better than you

Safety Checklist

Hiking in bear country

Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.

Emergency Contacts

110
Police
119
Fire/Ambulance

For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.

Trip Report - Lake Biwa
Bear risk analysis map showing route with safety levels
Very High Risk
High Risk
Moderate Risk
Low Risk

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

Over the past 30 days, 16 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).

When and where was the most recent bear sighting near this route?

The most recent sighting was reported 6 days ago near Towada, Aomori; the location sits about 50.8 km from the start of the route and 1.4 km off the route line.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 8:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 81.5 km route from Oirase River to Hirakawa crosses Aomori. Over the past 30 days, 16 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 6 days ago near Towada, Aomori; the location sits about 50.8 km from the start of the route and 1.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Towada, Aomori, sitting about 46.4 km from the start and 39 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.

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