This 143 km route from Port of Miyako to Mount Hachimantai crosses Iwate and Akita. Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 4 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 Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate; the location sits about 116.0 km from the start of the route and 0 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
On the morning of May 7, a woman was found unconscious in a mountain forest in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture. She had injuries believed to be from an animal's claws, and police are investigating on suspicion she was attacked by a bear.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
In Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture, a woman in her 60s who went out to pick wild plants was reported missing from May 6; during a search, her body was found in the mountains of the city on the morning of May 7 at around 8:00. The body showed signs of an animal attack, and police are investigating the cause of death, considering the possibility that she was attacked by a bear.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
According to the Iwate Prefectural Police, on May 7, 2026, the body of a woman in her 60s was found in a mountain in Hachimantai City. Her face and head had scratch wounds consistent with an animal attack, and police suspect she may have been attacked by a bear; she had been missing since May 6 after going out to pick wild plants.
Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate
At around 10:50 on May 1, a single young bear was seen walking near the FamilyMart Shibutami store in Shimoda, Morioka City, and walked toward Shibutami Station. No injuries or damage were reported, and police have warned local residents to be cautious.
Morioka, Iwate
At about 15:50 on the 21st, staff and children at after-school care sighted one bear about 1 meter long near the pool of Shin-sato Elementary School in Miyako City, Kariya District 11. The bear subsequently entered the mountain behind the school; no human or property damage was reported.
Miyako, Iwate
Around 15:48 on April 21, staff and children at an after-school care program spotted a bear about 1 m long near the pool at Shinsato Elementary School in Kariya, Miyako City. The bear entered the mountain behind the school, and no damage to people or property was reported.
Miyako, Iwate
According to police, at around 13:10 on April 21, 2026, a passerby reported seeing a single bear cub near the Kenpoku Bus Sakaida bus stop in Kawaguchi, Iwate Town. No human or property damage was reported; the sighting occurred in a densely built residential center about 500 m southeast of IGR Iwatekawaguchi Station and about 1 km south of Kawaguchi Elementary School.
Iwate Kawaguchi, Iwate
At around 9:30 a.m. on April 21, an adult bear was sighted in the parking lot of a nursing home in Natsumaki, Kōma, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. No injuries or damage were reported, and the police conducted patrol-car warnings.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
One medium-sized bear was sighted moving toward Iwayama near the Iwayama entrance on National Route 4.
Morioka Koma, Iwate
A single young bear was sighted near the staff-only parking lot of the Handmade Village.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
At around 09:55 on April 18, 2026, an adult bear was sighted in Shimoda (下田字下田), Morioka City. At about 10:05 the same day, an adult bear was sighted in Oidebukuro (生出袋), Shimoda, Morioka City.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
An immature bear (one) was witnessed—appears to have come down from the mountain.
Morioka Kawasaki, Iwate
One large animal believed to be a bear about the size of a large dog was sighted.
Morioka Shibutami, Iwate
Peak activity at 9:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 4 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 Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate; the location sits about 116.0 km from the start of the route and 0 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 9:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 143 km route from Port of Miyako to Mount Hachimantai crosses Iwate and Akita. Over the past 30 days, 13 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 4 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 Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate; the location sits about 116.0 km from the start of the route and 0 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
