This 441 km route from Sannai-Maruyama Site to Kita Ward, Niigata crosses Aomori, Niigata, Akita, and Yamagata. Over the past 30 days, 269 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 86 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 6 hours ago near Yurihonjō 巣組, Akita; the location sits about 224.4 km from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Nikaho Kurokawa, Akita, sitting about 244.7 km from the start and 6 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
3 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Aomori, Niigata, Akita, Yamagata.
One bear, about 1.0 m. Distance to residences: approximately 200 m. Sighted in Ishiwaki Park ground.
Yurihonjō 巣組, Akita
Bear body length: 1.0 m. Fled from west to east.
Yurihonjō 日役町, Akita
A driver traveling on National Route 7 observed one bear (body length 1 m) in a rice field / direction of travel unknown / 100 m from the nearest residence
Odate Nagasaka, Akita
While driving on the outbound lane of the expressway, it crossed from the inbound lane toward the sea side and ran up into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
1 bear, approximately 1.0 m
Yurihonjō Ishiwaki, Akita
At around 15:20 on May 13, 2026, a man in his 30s resting in his car sighted a bear about 1 meter long in Yurihonjo City, Ishiwaki, Shimo-Chōronuma. The nearest house was about 20 meters away; the Yurihonjo police patrolled the area by cruiser and warned residents.
Yurihonjō 日役町, Akita
Approximately 1 meter long. Witnessed a bear in a rice field.
Nikaho Kisakatamachi-Hongo, Akita
[Post] Strolling through a fallow rice field
Akita, Akita
A bear (1 m) was sighted near a residential property. It then left toward the woods to the east. Distance to the house: 5 m.
Akita, Akita
At around 04:50 on May 13, 2026, one bear was sighted in Sakanobe Shinden, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. The article does not report further details or whether there were any damages or injuries.
Sakata 坂野辺新田, Yamagata
[Post] While returning home, I was running toward the park.
Akita, Akita
Attempted to cross the Yokoyama-Kanaashi line, but there were many cars, and it kept coming in and out of the bushes.
Akita, Akita
A young bear was sighted near the field. It then walked away into the woods to the east. It was 5 meters from a house.
Akita, Akita
On May 12, 2026, a female Asiatic black bear was captured in a box trap in Higashinotezo, Kuroishi City, Aomori. It measured about 1.0 m, weighed about 60 kg, is estimated to be 3–4 years old with no history of giving birth, and was confirmed by city staff at 08:30.
Kuroishi 大字東野添, Aomori
[Report] Footprints crossing the road from the east
Kosaka, 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
On May 12 in Higashinozoe, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, one Asiatic black bear was captured in a box trap. The captured bear was a female about 1 meter long and weighing about 60 kg, estimated to be 3–4 years old with no history of giving birth. This was the first capture in the city this year.
Kuroishi 大字東野添, Aomori
[Post] I heard a noise outside, and when I looked I saw two bears.
Akita, Akita
It was sprinting through the field.
Akita, Akita
Around 18:45 on May 11, an adult bear (one individual) was sighted in a grove within a residential area in Midorigaoka, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. No damage to people or property has been confirmed, but nearby schools have urged students to commute accompanied by guardians.
Sakata 宮野浦, Yamagata
Around 18:00 on May 11, one Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted beside a guardrail along Route 7 in Tsurugasaka, Aomori City. No damage was reported, and the city is urging nearby residents and passersby to be cautious.
Aomori Tsurugasaka, Aomori
Around 17:45 on May 11, 2026, two bears believed to be a parent and child were sighted in Yuatsumi, Tsuruoka City. The bears later moved to the mountains to the south; their size is unknown, and the city is urging caution.
Tsuruoka 湯温海, Yamagata
Spotted a bear about 0.5 m in size on the grounds north of the elementary school. Direction of travel unknown. 50 m from the building.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
Around 15:45 on May 11, 2026, a male elementary school student spotted a bear approximately 50 cm long in a grassland in Shōgunno Minami 1-chome, Akita City. The location is about 50 meters from Takashimizu Elementary School, and the local police station has advised residents to be cautious.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
A passerby sighted one bear (body length approx. 1.0 m) / direction of travel: north / about 300 m south of Shimokawa River Middle School
Odate, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
[Report] While walking my dog, it crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Ran from the residential area toward the rice field
Odate Negeto, Akita
At around 13:45 on May 10, the city reported that a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in an apple orchard east of Yoshinoda Shintameike in the Yoshinoda Nikogesawa area of Namioka, Aomori City.
Aomori, Aomori
While walking my dog, I saw an individual cross the ridge path and enter the forested hill.
Yurihonjō 金山, Akita
At around 08:15 on the 10th, a bear approximately 1.5 meters long was sighted on the railway tracks at Daidōshita, Osugo, Kisakata-cho, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. A man in his 70s who was walking nearby spotted the bear, which was about 2 meters from a nearby house; the Yurihonjo police warned residents to be cautious.
Nikaho Kisakatamachi-Osugo, Akita
Spotted one approximately 1.5 m bear on the JR Uetsu Line tracks. 2 m from a house.
Nikaho Kisakatamachi-Osugo, Akita
One bear about 80 cm in body length was walking north from a rice field.
Nikaho Otake, Akita
On the afternoon of May 9, 2026, a bear was repeatedly sighted in rice fields near Hirakawa City's Osaki-Kidoguchi area and near Hiraga Higashi Elementary School. The municipality authorized an emergency gun hunt, and at around 18:30 hunters killed one adult male Asian black bear (about 1.5 m long, approximately 80 kg). No injuries were reported.
Hirakawa Osaki, Aomori
There were two on the tree and one under the tree.
Katagami, Akita
Shortly after 18:00 on May 9, city staff and members of a hunters' association found one bear in a rice field in Osaki Kidoguchi, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture; the mayor authorized an emergency culling. The hunters fired a shot and the bear—a roughly 1.5-meter adult male—was killed.
Hirakawa Osaki, Aomori
A bear about 120 cm long walked from the athletic area, came up to look around, walked a little, then went back. It was about 20 meters away.
Akita, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length about 1.0 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 300 m west of Odate Police Station
Odate, Akita
Distance to houses: 50 m. Body length: about 1 m.
Yurihonjō 荒町, Akita
Distance to the nearest house: 100 m Body length: approximately 1 m
Yurihonjō 荒町, Akita
Distance to the house: 5 m. Body length: approximately 1 m. Went toward the mountain.
Yurihonjō 古川端, Akita
On May 9, 2026 at around 07:30, an woman in her 80s in Tsuchiya, Yurihonjo City, saw a bear approximately 1 meter long on private property; a woman in her 30s driving by reported a similar sighting at the same time. At about 08:30, a man in his 60s spotted a roughly 1-meter bear in a rice field in Sanjo, Yurihonjo City. Police have warned residents to be cautious.
Yurihonjō 古川端, Akita
Distance to houses: 30 m Body length: approximately 1 m
Yurihonjō 古川端, Akita
One bear was sighted in a rice field in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture, and was culled by an emergency shooting operation. The incident and response were reported on May 9, 2026, with the sighting/response occurring around 00:54.
Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori
A bear was reported sighted in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture. The article does not provide details of the sighting or whether anyone was injured.
Hirakawa Kashiwagimachi, Aomori
[Post]
Akita, Akita
[Post] While driving by, it was attempting to climb the school fence
Akita Iijima-Bunkyocho, Akita
【Post】
Odate Katayama, Akita
Seen by nearby residents / Direction of movement unknown / About 250 m south of Katsura Sakura High School
Odate, Akita
Odate, Akita
Crossed the road and went toward Katsura/Sakura High School
Odate, Akita
Odate, Akita
I went outside to take a walk and saw a bear about 100 meters away, so I immediately went back inside. It walked toward the direction of Iijima Minami Elementary School.
Akita, Akita
Bear body length: 1.0 m. Fled into the southern forest.
Yurihonjō 二十六木, Akita
Body length: approximately 1.8 m. Distance to houses: approximately 120 m. Crossed the road from the rice field and left toward the mountain side.
Yurihonjō 館前, Akita
[Post]
Akita Shimokitate-Samukawa, Akita
At around 14:25 on May 8, 2026, a woman in her 60s inside the Koide After-School Care Club Keyakikko grounds in Nakasanmaiji Aza Hashimoto, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, sighted a bear about 60 cm long. The Yurihonjo police station said the bear was about 10 meters from the nearest building; they notified relevant authorities and used patrol cars to warn and alert residents in the area.
Nikaho Innai, Akita
At about 14:25 on May 8, 2026, a woman in her 60s at the Koide after-school childcare club 'Keyakikko' in Hashimoto, Nakamisaji, Nikaho City, sighted a single bear approximately 60 cm long on the facility grounds. Police contacted related agencies, patrolled the area by squad car, and warned residents to be cautious.
Nikaho Terada, Akita
One bear cub sighted near the former Koide Elementary School
Nikaho Terada, Akita
[Post] Standing by the guardrail on the downhill side of the expressway. Body length approx. 1.0 m.
Akita, Akita
One cub (about 50 cm) was seen moving from the bushes into the rice field.
Nikaho Terada, Akita
Announcements by loudspeaker and by car warned that a bear had been seen near the former Koide Elementary School.
Nikaho Terada, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (about 1.0 m in body length) / direction of travel: south / approximately 50 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
At around 08:40 on May 8, a man in his 60s working in a field in Nukazawa Nakatani-chi, Tsuzureko, Kitaakita City, spotted a bear about 1.2 meters long. The nearest building was about 10 meters away; the Kitaakita Police patrolled by patrol car and warned residents.
Kitaakita Tsuzureko, Akita
Witnessed one bear about 1 meter long in the grassy area near a railroad crossing. Approximately 60 meters from nearby houses.
Kitaakita, Akita
An elderly man's body was found in the mountains of Sakata City; his identity is unknown and a bear attack is considered likely, with the cause of death determined to be bleeding from wounds. In Yamagata Prefecture, multiple bear sightings occurred on May 7 and 8, and a person was attacked while foraging in Asahi Town on the 7th.
Sakata 字下瀬, Yamagata
[Post] A moving black shape on a private property
Akita Iijima-Naganohoncho, Akita
[Report] While driving, I witnessed one cub (about 50 cm in length) sprinting up the west-side stairs of Iijima Elementary School grounds. I could not confirm any adult bear, but it may have been with the cub.
Akita Iijima-Matsunehigashicho, Akita
Walking from the dentist toward the bakery.
Akita, Akita
[Post] While passing by in a car, I saw two bears walking on the sidewalk.
Akita, Akita
Posted: Found in the park while walking. Based on its size, it appears to be a cub.
Akita, Akita
[Post] There was a black animal in the forest, and when I went to see it, it was a mother bear and her cubs. When I went closer, they ran away.
Katagami, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long was sighted near Nagasaka River around 14:00 on May 7 in Kamitokawa Tomokawa No.4 (and boundary with No.5) in Kuroishi City. The city is considering installing a box trap; a bear was also seen around 07:10 on May 6 at nearly the same spot, and sightings were reported nearby on May 3 and May 5.
Kuroishi, Aomori
[Post]
Odate Kohakama, Akita
Saw it in the grass
Odate Negeto, Akita
During farm work, one bear was sighted. Body length approximately 1.2 m. It departed heading north toward Sugawara Shrine.
Akita, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / moving south / approximately 150 m from the nearest elementary school
Odate Negeto, Akita
[Post]
Odate Negeto, Akita
While driving on the highway's outbound lane about 2 km from Kawabe JCT toward Daisen City, two bears were observed from a vehicle (1.0 m and 0.7 m). They ran off toward the left embankment.
Akita, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 1.0 m) / moving north / approximately 30 m from the nearest house
Odate Ikenai-michiue, Akita
Walked through the premises
Odate Ikenai-michiue, Akita
Driver sighted one bear (body length 1.5 m) moving west; approximately 10 m from Ken-ei Hagino-dai housing complex.
Odate Ikenai-michiue, Akita
[Report] Crossed national highway — over 1 meter
Odate, Akita
Local resident sighted one bear (body length 1.5 m) / moving west / approximately 80 m from the nearest house
Odate, Akita
Posted: Moving west along the irrigation channel beside the rice fields. Witnessed while driving, so subsequent actions are unknown.
Odate, Akita
Sighted near 60-1, Kitano, Tenno, Katagami City. Moving west.
Katagami, Akita
On a municipal road in Ikeuchi, Odate City, a woman in her 40s driving a car spotted a bear.
Odate Ikenai, Akita
A man's body was found in a forest in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture; it is believed the death may have been caused by a bear.
Sakata 字下瀬, Yamagata
[Report] An individual approximately 1.5 m in size is on the facility grounds. It crossed the road in front of the facility and entered the brush to the east.
Ikawa 寺沢, Akita
While driving on the highway, I witnessed one cub (about 70 cm) crossing the road.
Nikaho Kurokawa, Akita
At around 07:10 on May 6, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the Nagasaka Riverbed at the boundary between Tomeoka No.4 and No.5 in Kamitogawa, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture. After the sighting, the bear moved toward the Aoyama/Takeda-cho area.
Kuroishi 竹田町, Aomori
A small bear-like animal crossed the road. It went north.
Ikawa 今戸, Akita
On 2026-05-06, one bear was captured at a supermarket in Akita City.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Around 20:50 on the 5th, a man in his teens resting in a nearby park spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road in Akita City's Niida Kiriage. According to the Akita Central Police Station, the bear was about 10 meters from a house and about 400 meters from Niida Elementary School; the station has warned residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
Sighted a bear on the road. Body length 1 m. Departed toward the rice fields to the east. 10 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
Posted: Witnessed a small bear cub running into the woods from a car. 39.8113147, 140.0421385
Katagami, Akita
(Posted) Went toward Iijima Minami Elementary School
Akita, Akita
It swam across the Matomigawa River and ran off toward the mountains. It was a large bear.
Akita, Akita
I thought it was a black lump, but it was a bear crossing the river. It was large.
Akita, Akita
Observed a bear at the foot of the bridge. Body length approximately 1 m. It left heading east. Nearest houses about 100 m away.
Akita, Akita
At about 15:40 on the 5th, a bear about 1 meter long was seen crossing a road in Miyata, Kanaashi Horinai, Akita City by a woman in her 40s driving. The nearest house was about 100 meters away, and the Akita Rinko Police Station has warned residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
(Posted) It was on the road; when I shouted loudly it ran off toward Deto Elementary School.
Katagami, Akita
[Post] A large individual about 1.5 m in length.
Gojome 内川浅見内, Akita
On the morning of May 5, 2026, a man in his 40s performing rice-field patrols in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, was attacked by a bear and injured. Prefectural and city authorities issued a bear-sighting warning and urged residents to be cautious.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
I went to the prefectural museum.
Akita Kanaashi-Koizumi, Akita
Shortly before 08:30 on the 5th, a man in his 40s who was patrolling rice fields in Higashi-Yuri, Yurihonjo City, was attacked by a bear about 1 m long. He suffered injuries to his face and right arm and was taken to a hospital in Akita City; he was reported conscious during transport.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
In Yurihonjo City (Higashiyuri), a man in his 40s inspecting rice fields was attacked by a bear around 08:20 and sustained injuries to his face and right arm; he was airlifted to a hospital by doctor helicopter. He was conscious and able to speak, and is believed to have run into a nearby house.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
At around 08:15 this morning in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, a 48-year-old man inspecting rice fields was attacked by a bear approximately 1 meter long, suffering injuries to his right face and right arm. He was conscious and able to speak when transported.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
Posted: Crossed while driving on the highway
Hachirogata Koike, Akita
On May 5, 2026 at around 01:20, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted near a field in the Hakkō area of Kuroishi City. At around 04:20, another bear of unknown size was sighted near a different field in the same area a few hundred meters away.
Kuroishi 八甲, Aomori
On May 5 in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, a 48-year-old man was attacked by a bear about 1 meter long while in a rice field; he suffered injuries to his face and arm and was taken to hospital. Authorities are patrolling the area, marking this the first human injury in the prefecture this year.
Yurihonjō Taniyamakoji, Akita
On May 5 a man's body was found in a forested area of Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, with wounds to the head and arms. The prefectural police are investigating the possibility of a bear attack, and one bear was culled near the discovery shortly after the body was found.
Sakata 字下瀬, Yamagata
In the early morning of May 5, 2026, a car on a farm road in Hakkō, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture collided with a bear crossing the road. The vehicle showed several scratches believed to be from the bear and footage was recorded; the article does not report any injuries.
Kuroishi 八甲, Aomori
A 1.0 m bear was sighted on a municipal road near Tennō Minami Junior High School. It was reported to have moved off eastward.
Katagami, Akita
Around 16:40 near Tenno Aza Oiwake Nishi, a 1.0 m bear was sighted. It briefly climbed a tree and then left. Direction it departed is unknown.
Katagami, Akita
At around 16:50, there was a sighting of a 1.0 m bear on a city road near Tennō Minami Junior High School. It was reported to have left heading east.
Katagami, Akita
Around 16:40 on the 4th, a woman in her 40s from Katagami City saw a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road in Tennō Oiwake-nishi. The bear was about 5 meters from a private house; multiple sightings were reported in the area and the Gojōme police station has urged residents to be cautious.
Katagami, Akita
Saw a bear cub running up the embankment at Nagaoka Community Hall
Nikaho Kisakatamachi-Nagaoka, Akita
At around 11:40 a.m. on the 4th, a bear was sighted on a slope near the Nagaoka community center in Nagaoka, Iejiri, Kisakata-cho, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. According to the Yurihonjo Police, the bear's body length is unknown; it was about 100 meters from the nearest house, and the police have warned residents to be cautious.
Nikaho Kisakatamachi-Nagaoka, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
While we had parked the car and were walking down to the beach with my family to look for things like sea glass, we found footprints that looked like a bear’s and immediately left the area.
Nikaho, Akita
sighting
Nikaho Mitsumori, Akita
[Report] Bear sighted at Kosunagawa Beach. Body length unknown.
Nikaho Kisakatamachi-Kosagawa, Akita
I can't be sure it was a bear, but a dark-colored animal (about 50–60 cm) was on the gravel road. It walked east.
Ikawa 今戸, Akita
The bear headed from the national highway into the forest.
Odate, Akita
A cub climbed up the embankment beside the road.
Nikaho Kurokawa, Akita
[Report] A juvenile bear, estimated to be about 70–80 cm, was in front of my house. It went from the east side of my house toward the north, into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear in a bamboo grove. Body length about 50 cm. It left heading south. About 100 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
Spotted one bear at the JR Suzu railroad crossing. Body length approximately 1 meter. It ran away toward the mountains to the east.
Nikaho Hirasawa, Akita
According to Sakata Police Station, at around 06:50 on May 2, 2026, one bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted in a field in Hodumi, Sakata City; police warned it may remain nearby and urged caution. Yamagata Prefecture issued a "bear sighting warning" on April 30, and other bear sightings in the city were reported on May 1.
Sakata 穂積, Yamagata
Sighted a bear in the brush about 200 m north of the bridge. About 50 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
Distance to houses: about 10 m; Body length: about 1 m
Yurihonjō 雪車町, Akita
Sighted one Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) behind the Isedotai Jomon Museum. It appeared to be eating something in the grass.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
[Report] Sighted running away from a field
Yurihonjō 大内三川, Akita
[Report] While driving, a bear crossed the national highway and went behind a house.
Yurihonjō 大内三川, Akita
Report: Around 9:20, a bear about 1 m in size was sighted. It crossed the road and left toward the mountain. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Around 9:20 a bear about 1 m tall was sighted. It crossed the road and went off toward the mountains. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed the bear crossing the road from a residence and moving toward the mountains. Bear size approximately 1 m.
Akita, Akita
Before 07:00 on May 1, 2026, a roughly 1-meter bear was spotted in a residential area of Kawabe, Akita City, and Kawabe Junior High asked parents to accompany students home. On April 29, a roughly 1-meter bear was also seen on the north breakwater of Akita Port; managers plan to use firecrackers and loudspeakers as countermeasures when the breakwater is opened.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 m in size was sighted on the residential property. It left to the north. 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Around 2:40 a.m. on May 1, 2026, one bear was sighted on the south side of an intersection near Hikarigaoka Athletic Stadium in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. The city is urging people not to approach and to report sightings to the police or city authorities.
Sakata 新町, Yamagata
Around 02:30 on May 1, 2026, a single adult bear about 1 meter long was seen by a passerby near the Hikarigaoka Athletic Stadium in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, at an intersection where a national and prefectural road meet, and was reported to the city. No further sightings have been reported, and the city has urged residents to keep warehouse and garage entrances closed.
Sakata 新町, Yamagata
Spotted one bear while driving north. Body length about 1 meter. It attempted to cross the road from the west to the east but noticed the car and returned to the bushes.
Nikaho Innai, Akita
[Post] A bear was sitting at the side of the Akita Road. When I passed by, it ran off into the mountain on the left.
Akita, Akita
One bear (body length approx. 1–1.2 m) was sighted outside the fence on the north side of Akita Airport. Firecrackers were used and it fled toward the mountain side (Prefectural Central Park side).
Akita, Akita
One 1.5 m bear. Moving from the FamilyMart toward Detohama.
Katagami, Akita
At approximately 09:40, a 1.5 m bear was sighted on the prefectural road in Tenno, Shimohamayama. Direction of departure unknown.
Katagami, Akita
While traveling from Oiwake toward Oga, it entered the roadside brush on the right and went into the bushes on the left side of the road.
Katagami, Akita
I saw it from my car. It's clearly recorded on the dashcam.
Mitane Amasegawa, Akita
Reported: Body approximately 1 meter. Walking in a mountain very close to the road.
Odate, Akita
Around 10:00 on April 29, 2026, a roughly 1-meter black bear was sighted at a seaside breakwater in Akita City; footage showed it walking while sniffing the ground. A fishing event with many anglers was taking place nearby.
Akita Koyosaiwaicho, Akita
While working in the fields, a bear was sighted in the rice paddy. One bear, about 1 m. Approximately 80 m from the nearest house. The bear then left heading north.
Akita, Akita
While driving from Kyōwa toward Akita Airport, a bear crossed in front of our car and then entered the woods. A vehicle of people gathering wild plants was parked nearby.
Akita, Akita
When I got into my car on my property, a single bear about 1.2 m tall was right beside me (0.5 m away). When I shouted loudly, it left toward the north (Koizumigata Park direction). Distance from the house: 5 m.
Akita, Akita
A bear appeared near a breakwater in Akita City, causing alarm among anglers and participants at a nearby fishing event. Sightings were reported repeatedly in the area, raising local concern.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Spotted one bear about 1.2 m in length in the grassy area near the facility. It then moved south. Approximately 30 m from the nearby facility.
Kitaakita Isecho, Akita
Spotted one bear of unknown body length in a grassy area. Approximately 10 meters from a house. Subsequent direction of departure unknown.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
A single bear walked south between the houses. About 5 meters from a residence.
Kitaakita Miyamaecho, Akita
At around 11:20 on April 28, 2026, a bear about 80 cm long was sighted in the grounds of a vacant house in Akagawadai, Wakigami, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture by a woman in her 60s living next door. The Kitaakita police said the nearest house was about 20 meters away and urged residents to be cautious.
Kitaakita Wakigami, Akita
Around 9:30 a.m. on April 28, an adult bear was sighted in the urban area of Sakanobe-Shinden, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture; the bear reportedly ran south toward farmland.
Sakata 坂野辺新田, Yamagata
[Post] Spotted a bear cub alone on the highway
Kosaka, Akita
One bear about 1.5 meters. It moved south through the intersection and entered the brush.
Katagami, Akita
[Post]
Gojome 川崎, Akita
[Sighting] Crossing Prefectural Route 56 from the seaside toward the inland
Katagami, 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
[Report] Spotted walking along the fence inside the premises of Akita Thermal Power Plant. Believed to be a large adult, approximately over 1 meter in body length.
Akita Iijima, Akita
Observed one bear about 1–2 m (shoulder height) moving south near the main gate of Tohoku Electric Power Akita Thermal Power Station. It was 10 m from the main gate.
Akita Iijima, Akita
While working in the field, I spotted one bear on the mountainside. Its body length was about 1.5 m. It walked off toward the north.
Akita, Akita
While driving a rental car from the mountain side toward Akita Station, I saw an animal cross about 100 meters ahead. When I passed about 20 meters beside it, I saw a large, light chestnut-colored animal running. Its body was considerably larger than a dog, so I thought it was a bear and was startled, and I drove on.
Akita, 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
Body length: 0.8 m Distance to residence: 100 m
Yurihonjō 薬師堂, Akita
A single bear (body length 1.0 m) was sighted by nearby residents / moving east / approximately 100 m from the nearest house
Odate Niida, Akita
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Akita, Akita
On April 26, 2026, around 21:00, a woman in her 50s driving in Hirasawa, Nikaho City (Fukayachi), Akita Prefecture, sighted a bear about 1 meter long. According to the Yurihonjo Police, the bear was about 30 meters from a nearby house and the police have urged residents to be cautious.
Nikaho Mitsumori, Akita
Crossed the road leading from the east side to the west side toward the intersection near the pachinko parlor.
Nikaho Mitsumori, Akita
[Report] Sighted a cub
Akita, Akita
Around 14:00 on April 26, 2026, a parent-and-child bear was sighted near the nursing home Shoto-so in Sugasato, Yusa Town, and the town urged nearby residents to be cautious. Since late February, sightings of bears and wild boar have been frequent in Yusa Town, and there have been 74 bear sightings in the prefecture so far, an increase at a pace exceeding last year's record.
Yuza 菅里, Yamagata
(Posted) It was crossing the rice field heading toward the mountains.
Akita, Akita
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Akita Shimokitate-Torisawa, Akita
It ran toward the mountains. Body length about 1 meter.
Akita, Akita
Tried to cross the highway, noticed my own car, and turned back.
Akita, Akita
There were three bears — a mother and two cubs — attempting to cross the road toward the airport. Startled by a car, the cubs couldn’t cross and split to either side of the road. I was surprised to see a mother with cubs at this time of year.
Akita, Akita
Body length: approximately 1.0 m Distance to houses: approximately 250 m
Yurihonjō 烏川, Akita
One bear approximately 1 meter in body length was sighted.
Nikaho Kisakatamachi-Kodaki, Akita
One bear (body length 0.5 m) seen eating something along the water channel / direction of travel: northwest / 200 m northwest of Shakainai Elementary School
Odate Shakanai, Akita
One bear was sighted in a rice paddy. Body length 1.0 m. Direction of departure unknown. 100 m south of the community center.
Akita, Akita
Around 12:00 on April 25, 2026, a bear approximately 50 cm long was sighted on the grounds of a private house in Aizenei(?) (Shaka-nai Aosen-dai), Odate City, Akita Prefecture. A man in his 50s working in the garden spotted it, and the Odate police are patrolling the area by patrol car and warning residents.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
On April 25 before 9:00, staff and residents at a nursing home in Akita City spotted a large bear eating grass outside a glass door. The facility secured all exterior windows and closed curtains to protect residents; the bear then moved to the rear of the property and climbed a cliff.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Posted: Spotted while driving. Adult bear. Probably larger than the bears at Omoriyama Zoo.
Akita, Akita
I saw this while driving. A bear was walking in a residential neighborhood. It was an adult. It seemed larger than the bears you see at a zoo.
Akita Higashidori-myoden, Akita
It crossed the road and went up the mountain.
Akita, Akita
On April 25, 2026, a single bear was filmed eating grass inside the grounds of a nursing home in Akita City, seen through a glass door. Employees reported being frightened.
Akita Sanno, Akita
It ran off into the bushes. I heard the sound of it eating something. About 15 meters to the nearest house.
Akita Narayama-Otamachi, Akita
Around 11:40 on April 24, 2026, one bear was filmed running through a rice paddy in Kisakata Town, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. The filmer said they were in a car heading from near Mototaki toward the Kisakata interchange when the bear crossed the road and went from the paddy back into the mountain.
Nikaho 田の神, Akita
At around 11:00 AM, a resident spotted an Asiatic black bear (about 1.5 m in length) within the settlement. The direction it left afterward is unknown.
Kamikoani Okitaomote, Akita
At around 10:00 a.m., several facility staff and others spotted one Asiatic black bear (about 1 meter in body length) near the communal lodging and exchange facility “Coanity” and the Kamikoani Nursery School. The bear later moved south.
Kamikoani Fukudate, Akita
At around 9:50 a.m., staff of Kamikoani Elementary and Junior High School sighted a single Asiatic black bear (about 1 meter in body length) near the village cemetery area close to the school. The direction in which it subsequently left is unknown.
Kamikoani Fukudate, Akita
Local resident sighted one bear (body length 0.6 m) / direction of travel unknown / approximately 10 m from the nearest house
Odate Shakanai, Akita
At around 7:30 a.m. on the 24th, a walking man in his 30s spotted a bear about 50 cm long in a grassy area in Shakainai, Odate City, Akita Prefecture. According to the Odate police station, the nearest house is about 40 meters away, and the station has warned residents to be cautious.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
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Odate, Akita
A bear over 1 meter tall was walking (was seen walking).
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Spotted one bear about 80 cm. Direction of retreat unknown.
Akita, Akita
One bear approximately 80 cm. Bear sighted. Direction of escape unknown. 150 m from building.
Akita, Akita
A driver sighted one bear (body length unknown) in the woods beside a city road / direction of travel unknown / 150 m south of Shakanai Elementary School
Odate, Akita
At around 15:30 on April 23, 2026, a police officer on patrol spotted one bear about 50 cm long in a grassy area in Shakainai, Odate City. The nearest house was about 40 meters away; police contacted related agencies, increased patrols by police car, and warned residents to be cautious.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
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Akita, Akita
At around 06:30 on April 23, 2026, a man in his 60s spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on a municipal road in Kawabe Wada Okamura, Akita City. The sighting was about 150 meters from Kawabe Elementary School, and police have warned nearby residents to be careful.
Akita, Akita
[Posted] Near the university
Yurihonjō Kawaguchi, Akita
Report: Sighted one bear measuring 1 meter. Direction of escape unknown.
Akita, Akita
Observed one bear about 0.8 m tall on residential property. Direction of departure unknown. 5.0 m from a house.
Akita, Akita
I was watching the meteor shower when I heard a rustling from the drainage ditch. A large black bear ran by, and what looked like a cub followed. I was startled and called out, and the bear turned and looked back at us. Then it ran off to the south. It appeared to have crossed the road, and it’s possible it’s hiding on someone’s property. Be cautious of your surroundings when going toward the rice fields.
Akita Narayama-Jonanshinmachi, Akita
A bear-like animal was sighted. One bear about 1 m. It moved toward Senshu Park. About 40 m from nearby buildings.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 18:50 on April 22, 2026, a man in his 30s spotted a bear about 1 meter long on a stone wall in Senshu Park in central Akita City. Police arrived but the bear had already disappeared; Meitoku Elementary School was about 40 meters away, and the Akita Central Police urged nearby residents and schools to be cautious.
Akita Senshu-kubotamachi, Akita
[Report] Spotted near the bushes on the mountainside. When I tried to take a photo from the car, the bear noticed me and hid in the foliage. Body length about one meter.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear about 1.0 m in size in a rice field. It then left heading south. 200 m from a residence.
Akita, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (body length unknown) in the forest beside a municipal road / direction of travel unknown / 150 m south of Shakanai Elementary School
Odate, Akita
At around 08:20 on April 22, 2026, a bear about 50 cm long was sighted in a grass field in Shakakunai, Odate City by a woman in her 30s driving through the area. The bear was about 10 meters from the nearest house; authorities were notified and patrol cars have been warning residents and monitoring the area.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
A driver traveling on a municipal road sighted one bear (body length 1 m) / direction of travel: northwest / 400 m south of Odate Daiichi Junior High School
Odate Negeto, Akita
On April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted in central Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The bear was reported near Meitoku Elementary School and moved off toward Senshu Park.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 70–80 cm long crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (body length 0.5 m) in the woods beside the municipal road / heading east / 150 m south of Shakanai Elementary School
Odate, Akita
At around 16:50 on the 21st, a woman in her 30s at home in Shakanai, Odate City, Akita Prefecture, sighted a bear about 50 cm long. According to the Odate police, the bear was about 10 meters from the nearest house, and authorities warned residents to be cautious.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
[Post] There was a cub
Odate, Akita
A bear was sighted on the road on the west side of Akita Technical High School's ground. Body length 1.0 m. It left heading west. 30 m from the school ground.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 14:15 on April 21, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the west side of the Akita Technical High School ground in Hodono Hatcho, Akita City. The witness was a female student (middle-school-aged/teen), the bear then moved toward a residential area, and police have been patrolling the area and issuing warnings.
Akita Izumihigashimachi, Akita
In Akita Prefecture a police officer was reported injured after being attacked by a bear, and a woman's body was found nearby. Sightings of so‑called "spring bears" have surged after hibernation: as of 21 April at 21:00 there were about 200 reports in the prefecture, and experts say bears are waking earlier and many individuals are larger than usual.
Akita Sanno, Akita
I was driving in my car when I saw one (a bear) climbing a tree.
Akita, Akita
Body length: approximately 1.0 m; Distance to houses: approximately 800 m
Yurihonjō, Akita
[Post]
Yurihonjō 山田, Akita
[Post] While driving, I saw what looked like a bear in the Sarutagawa River. It was fairly large.
Akita, Akita
At Kamikitade Elementary School, one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was sighted along the Saruda River to the northeast. It left heading northeast. Distance from the nearest facility: 150 m.
Akita, Akita
[Post] It was in the gap of a car and was looking inside the vehicle.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving, I witnessed one running across a rice paddy.
Akita, Akita
While driving, I sighted one bear about 1.0 m in body length on the sidewalk. It left heading southwest. 15 m from the nearest facility.
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
[Post] Running along a narrow path through the rice fields
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
In front of Nice, it was running through the rice fields. Police have been notified.
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
Observed one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length in front of the residence on the roadway. It departed heading south. Distance from a house: 3.0 m.
Akita, Akita
At around 17:40 on April 19, 2026, in Tsurugasaka, Aomori City, a single bear about 1.5 meters long crossed the road from north to south and came into contact with a car. The city is urging people to report sightings or tracks and to avoid leaving garbage outdoors.
Aomori Tsurugasaka, Aomori
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Akita Kamikitate-Aramaki, Akita
[Report] While driving, I saw a bear on shrine grounds. The bear noticed me and moved toward the mountain. About 1 m in size, 15 m from houses.
Akita Kamikitate-Aramaki, Akita
While driving from the Yuwa area, I spotted a bear about 1.2 m long that had come onto the road and was climbing the embankment beside the road. When I stopped the car, it looked toward us briefly, then, appearing wary, ran away.
Akita, Akita
[Post] While walking the dog, I noticed a bear appearing down below about 1.5 m tall. It was fairly plump.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Inside Hitotsumori Park, from inside a car about 10 meters away, there were people walking and jogging nearby.
Akita, Akita
[Report] A bear on the road. It fled into a residential garden.
Akita, Akita
One bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was observed on the road in front of a house. It departed to the south. 10 m from the nearest house.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear about 0.8 m in size in the woods. It then moved further into the forest; direction of travel unknown. 100 m from buildings.
Akita, Akita
While passing through the area, a person sighted one cub.
Tainai 松波, Niigata
[Report] One bear about 1 meter tall near the side just before the bridge along Route 7.
Odate Nagabashiri, Akita
Entry into cow barn and damage to feed
Odate, Akita
A nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 0.5 m) / direction of travel unknown / inside residential property
Odate Shakanai, Akita
(Posted) I was walking through the rice field
Akita, Akita
A nearby resident spotted one bear (body length 60 cm) / direction of travel unknown / about 10 m from the nearest house
Odate Shakanai, Akita
[Report] Nearby resident sighted one bear (body length 60 cm) / Direction of travel unknown / Approximately 10 m from the nearest house
Odate Shakanai, Akita
A local resident sighted one bear (body length 1 m) / heading northeast / 300 m northeast of the Ikenai Ramp entrance intersection on National Route 103.
Odate Ikenai-michiue, Akita
One bear approximately 1 meter in body length sighted in a grassy area. It then departed to the southwest. About 30 meters from nearby facilities.
Kitaakita Nanukaichi, Akita
[Post] When I was getting off the Akita-Chuo expressway, I looked to the side and spotted a bear running through a rice field. It wasn’t a cub; it was fairly large.
Akita, Akita
A passerby sighted one bear (body length 0.5 m) in the woods beside a municipal road / direction of movement unknown / 150 m south of Shakauchi Elementary School
Odate, Akita
Around 10:00 a.m. on the 16th, a male worker spotted a bear about 50 cm long in a forest in Odate City, Shakanai Aizome-dai, Akita Prefecture. According to the Odate Police, the site is about 30 meters from the nearest house; patrol cars are warning residents and monitoring the area.
Odate Shakanai, Akita
Around 06:00 on 2026-04-16, one bear (about 1 meter long, believed to be an adult) was sighted near the municipal funeral hall in Hamana, Sakata City, Yamagata. In the same area, about 50 kg of nearly-harvested strawberries were found eaten in a Shiritaka (十里塚) greenhouse on the 12th, and about 7 kg were eaten in a Sakanobe Shinden greenhouse on the morning of the 16th; the city has set box traps and installed electric fences and sensor cameras as countermeasures.
Sakata 浜中, Yamagata
At around 16:55 on April 15, 2026, one bear was sighted in Hamanaka, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. The article reports only the sighting time and location and provides no further details.
Sakata 浜中, Yamagata
[Report] Crossed the road from the river and went into the mountain.
Akita, Akita
A passerby spotted one bear (body length 0.5 m) in the woods beside a municipal road / direction of travel unknown / 150 m south of Shakauchi Elementary School
Odate, Akita
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Akita, Akita
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Yurihonjō 梵天谷地, Akita
Spotted a bear about 1.0 m in body length on the prefectural road. Its direction of travel is unknown.
Katagami Showa-Toyokawakamiabukawa, Akita
Peak activity at 17:00 with 23 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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Over the past 30 days, 269 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 86 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 6 hours ago near Yurihonjō 巣組, Akita; the location sits about 224.4 km from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 17:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 441 km route from Sannai-Maruyama Site to Kita Ward, Niigata crosses Aomori, Niigata, Akita, and Yamagata. Over the past 30 days, 269 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 86 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 6 hours ago near Yurihonjō 巣組, Akita; the location sits about 224.4 km from the start of the route and 2.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Nikaho Kurokawa, Akita, sitting about 244.7 km from the start and 6 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
