This 231 km route from Aoba Ward, Sendai to Akita crosses Miyagi and Akita. Over the past 30 days, 147 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 31 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 Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita; the location sits about 221.6 km from the start of the route and 4.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 days ago at Akita, Akita, sitting about 228.9 km from the start and 41 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
Around 15:30 on the 10th, a motorist passing on Prefectural Route 55 in Imozawa Ootakehara, Aoba Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 50 cm long and called emergency services. The bear left the road and entered the bushes; police are patrolling the area and advising caution.
Sendai Shimo-Ayashi, Miyagi
On the morning of May 8 a bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a road in Takano-hara 2-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai. A report came in around 08:30, police monitored the area and spotted one bear around 09:20, which quickly entered the bushes.
Sendai Imozawa, Miyagi
[Post] While driving toward Akita City, I spotted a bear in the rice field beside the road. It appeared to be a cub. It was running toward Route 13. Body length about 1 meter.
Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita
[Post] A machine-like device (a device that plays dog barks to deter bears) was making a lot of noise. When I went to check, there was a bear wandering around the area.
Akita, Akita
Observed during a walk. It went up toward the cemetery park.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Went outside in the morning and saw a bear walking along the side of the field.
Daisen Yotsuya, Akita
It crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 80 cm long was sighted near the Hokkai Fireworks factory. It ran off toward the mountains.
Daisen Yotsuya, Akita
Report: While working in the field, I encountered a bear cub.
Daisen Matsukura, Akita
At around 06:30 on May 15, a woman walking near Kitakayama 1-chome Park in Izumi Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long. According to the Miyagi Prefectural Police Izumi Station, the bear left heading northwest; the area is a residential neighborhood surrounded by woods.
Sendai Sanezawa, Miyagi
One bear approximately 1 m (shoulder height) was sighted on the roadway. It left heading east. About 30 m from nearby buildings.
Akita, Akita
A bear about one meter long came down the mountain slope.
Akita, Akita
A young bear was crossing the road.
Akita, Akita
Discovered large bear tracks in the field.
Akita, Akita
[Post] In a fallow rice field, one adult and two cubs were eating something.
Akita, Akita
Around 09:30 on May 14, 2026, a bear about 50 cm long was sighted on a town road in Suginomiya-Shuku, Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture. The nearest house was about 20 meters away, and Yuzawa police have warned residents to be cautious.
Ugo, Akita
A juvenile bear was observed walking on the grounds of a private residence.
Ugo, Akita
In the early hours of the 14th, one bear was spotted on the street near Sendai City Sakuragaoka Elementary School in Aoba Ward, Sendai. The school implemented measures such as group dismissal. According to police, the sighting occurred before 3:30 a.m. on the 14th.
Sendai Takimichi, Miyagi
At around 03:25 on the 14th, a bear about 1 meter long was seen climbing over the fence from the road into the grounds of Sakuraoka Elementary School in Sakuraoka 8-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai. There were no injuries and no further sightings; the school decided not to use the playground and to send pupils home in groups, and police warned residents to be cautious.
Sendai Takimichi, Miyagi
In Sendai's Aoba Ward (Sakuragaoka 8-chome), at around 03:25 on the 14th a female newspaper delivery worker spotted a bear about 1 meter long. At 09:20 a man also saw a similar-sized bear on a promenade in Mizu no Mori Park; nearby schools and a nursery implemented group dismissals or halted outdoor activities, and there were no injuries.
Sendai Takimichi, Miyagi
A bear was in the parking space of a shop. After that, it went up the slope that leads to the park on top of the mountain.
Akita, Akita
One bear cub entered the mountains from the roadside.
Yokote 雄物川町今宿, Akita
[Report] A bear (1 m) crossed the rice field and climbed the mountain to the north along the farm road.
Akita, Akita
Observed one bear approximately 1 meter in body length. The bear left heading north.
Daisen Niiyaji, 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
[Post] Crossing the national highway
Daisen Kyowa-Sakai, Akita
[Report] While driving on the prefectural road, I sighted a bear about 1.2 meters long in a rice field beside the road. Before I could point my camera, the bear noticed the vehicle and fled to the woodland to the southeast.
Daisen Takajo, Akita
A single bear about one meter long left the area, moving from near the temple across the rice fields toward the mountains.
Daisen Kushoda, 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
Witnessed one bear crossing the national road from the rice fields toward the mountains. Body length approximately 1 m. About 100 m from a house.
Daisen Kitanome, Akita
Crossed the national highway and left toward the north. Body length approximately 1.5 m. About 50 m from a house.
Daisen Kyowa-Mineyoshikawa, Akita
Around 15:30 on the 10th, a motorist passing on Prefectural Route 55 in Imozawa Ootakehara, Aoba Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 50 cm long and called emergency services. The bear left the road and entered the bushes; police are patrolling the area and advising caution.
Sendai Shimo-Ayashi, Miyagi
While driving on Prefectural Route 254 near the Livestock Experiment Station, I spotted a bear about 80 cm in body length; it then ran off in the direction of Tsuchikawa.
Daisen Jinguji, Akita
Found footprints while doing farm work
Ugo 字田畑, Akita
Discovered bear tracks in the field behind the house. Tracks indicate it headed west. Footprints were just over 10 cm in size.
Ugo 郡山, Akita
A Yokote City Jūmonji area division staff member, while on patrol, confirmed footprints heading toward the riverbank. The tracks were oriented from the villages of Betsumei and Magado toward the riverbank, and because they appeared fresh, it is possible that a bear that had been hiding around the settlements moved sometime between the night of May 9 and early this morning.
Yokote 十文字町睦合, Akita
A single bear was observed on private residential property. Body length approximately 1 m, about 20 m from the house. After that it passed through a rice field and headed toward the Showa Concrete direction.
Daisen Kushoda, Akita
[Post] Climbed onto the guardrail
Daisen Takajo, Akita
Spotted an Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) in the bushes. By the time police arrived after the report, it had already left. Approximately 20 meters from the residence.
Ugo 字門向, Akita
Ran behind the house
Yuzawa 字田中, Akita
While driving near Autoland Akita, observed one bear. It left toward the mountains. Body length about 1.5 m.
Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita
The Yokote City Hall Agriculture and Forestry Maintenance Division conducted an on-site inspection. They confirmed tracks continuing from east to west. The animal is believed to be an adult with a body length of over 1 meter. (In the attached photo, the background is east and the foreground is west. The tracks continue toward the foreground.) No tracks indicating a return toward the river have been found.
Yokote 十文字町睦合, Akita
Spotted one bear over 1 meter in body length in the drainage channel east of my house. Shortly afterward, also observed it in the field north of my house. Direction it left is unknown.
Yokote 十文字町睦合, Akita
At around 06:10 on the 9th, a person driving on the Sendai North Loop Road in Kamiyagari, Izumi Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road. The bear left toward the southern woods and there were no injuries or damage. Police say the sightings on May 6 and at 11:30 on the 9th may be of the same individual and are urging caution.
Sendai Izumichuo-minami, Miyagi
A single bear was seen crossing a road in Izumi Ward, Sendai. Multiple sightings have been reported nearby, and officials say it may be the same individual.
Sendai 寺岡, Miyagi
[Post] Standing by the guardrail on the downhill side of the expressway. Body length approx. 1.0 m.
Akita, Akita
On the morning of May 8 a bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a road in Takano-hara 2-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai. A report came in around 08:30, police monitored the area and spotted one bear around 09:20, which quickly entered the bushes.
Sendai Imozawa, Miyagi
Bear tracks believed to be from an adult were found in a field within the settlement. The tracks were heading north through the field, but their path beyond that point could not be confirmed.
Yokote 十文字町仁井田, Akita
[Post] During fishing, a bear about 1.5 m swam across from the opposite bank.
Daisen Yotsuya, Akita
Posted: Found in the park while walking. Based on its size, it appears to be a cub.
Akita, Akita
An adult bear was seen running near the entrance to the Nishitado settlement.
Daisen, 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
Around 22:00 on May 6 a person in a car sighted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road at the intersection in front of a shopping mall in Kamiyatagari, Izumi-ku, Sendai. Police patrolled but did not find the bear and there were no injuries. Separately, a bear was sighted on a mountain near Otayachi Elementary School in Ishinomaki on May 2, so an evacuation drill scheduled for May 7 was canceled.
Sendai Izumichuo-minami, Miyagi
Around 22:00 on May 6, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted near the intersection of the Sendai North Ring Road (Sendai Kita Kanjosen) at Kamiyatagari-Tatewaki, Izumi Ward, Sendai; it left toward the bushes. Police patrolled the area but did not find it afterward, and Izumitakeyama High School notified parents to be cautious by email.
Sendai Chomeigaoka-higashi, Miyagi
Around 22:00 on May 6, 2026, a female driver spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on a prefectural road in Kamitayagari, Izumi Ward, Sendai. The bear crossed a crosswalk at an intersection heading south and disappeared into nearby brush; police patrolled the area but received no further sightings.
Sendai Chomeigaoka-higashi, Miyagi
Bear sighting in the bamboo thicket near Sukawa Bridge, Sukawa, Aikawa, Yuzawa City. The bear fled toward the Takamatsugawa area. Body length estimated 0.8–1.0 m. No surrounding damage reported. The sighting location is about 100 m from a residence.
Yuzawa 泉沢, Akita
A nearby resident spotted a bear about 1 meter long; it immediately ran off to the east.
Daisen Jinguji, Akita
Around 16:00 on May 6, 2026, a man in his 60s at home spotted a bear about 1 meter long beside a waterway in Jinguji, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture. According to Daisen police, the nearest house was about 10 meters away; they are patrolling the area with patrol cars and warning residents to be cautious.
Daisen Jinguji, Akita
A nearby resident spotted a bear about 1 meter in body length; it immediately ran off to the east.
Daisen Jinguji, Akita
[Report] Crossing the road
Daisen, Akita
There was a bear near the rice field. Afterwards, it went into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
A single bear about 1.5 m in body length ran away from the vicinity of Senboku Junior High School toward the east in the direction of Saku no Yu (Sakaku Hot Spring). Distance to the witness: 200 m.
Daisen Horiminai, Akita
(Report) While walking the dog, I saw a bear running through the rice fields. Even from about 200 meters away it was swaying as it ran and looked large.
Daisen Takanashi, Akita
Crossed the road and left toward the south-side parking lot. Body length approximately 1 m.
Daisen Higashikawa, Akita
While I was walking toward the Otsuki railroad crossing, a bear ran across in front of me from left to right. About 1 meter long. It went in the direction of Higashi-Omagari Elementary School.
Daisen Tomaki, Akita
A bear about 1.2 m long was in the south-side yard of the house and left heading east.
Daisen Iida, Akita
Spotted a bear coming down from the west road toward Iida IC. It left heading south. Body length about 1 m.
Daisen Iida, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long was sitting on the riverbank.
Daisen Fujiki, Akita
[Post] Footprints found in the field.
Misato 金沢西根, Akita
[Correction] While driving on Prefectural Route 36, a bear approximately 1 m in length was sighted near Ōmori Purification Center. The bear departed heading west. Distance to the nearest house: about 400 m. (Administrator: 10:50 — Regarding the report of a sighting in Oomori-machi Ōnakajima, Yokote City, this corrects an error in the location information.)
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
Sighted at Jufukuji. It ran toward the levee.
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
It was standing by the guardrail beside the highway.
Akita, Akita
[Post] [No description of situation]
Yokote 阿気, Akita
[Post] [No description of the situation]
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
I ran and escaped up the mountain.
Yokote 大森町, Akita
[Report] Near Omorimachi Oyama Shrine: Cub — approximately 1 meter (tall) cub
Yokote 大森町, Akita
[Report] There were multiple footprints in the rice field that appeared to be from an Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma).
Daisen Takazekikamigo, Akita
[Report] Witnessed one bear about 1 meter in size in the staff parking lot in front of Ohmori nursing care facility.
Yokote 大森町, Akita
[Post] (No details provided)
Yokote 増田町戸波, Akita
[No description of circumstances] Bear over 1.5 m
Yokote 大森町, 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
At around 08:40 on May 2, 2026, one bear was sighted in Kozumi, Izumi Ward, Sendai City. The bear left the scene, and no damage to people or property was confirmed, according to the Izumi Police Station of Miyagi Prefectural Police.
Sendai Ogaku, Miyagi
One bear was sighted in Kozumi (小角), Izumi Ward, Sendai City. The article reports the sighting but does not mention any injuries or capture/dispatch.
Sendai Ogaku, Miyagi
[Report] While driving on Route 13 from Omagari toward Akita, I saw a bear about 1 m tall under a cherry tree on the left. There were two holes in the embankment on the travel side that appeared to be the bear’s den.
Daisen Kyowa-Sakai, Akita
[Post] Feces
Yuzawa, Akita
A small cub-like bear crossed the road from the mountain and ran toward the fields.
Yokote 雄物川町矢神, 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
On 2026-04-30 at about 19:35, a roughly 1‑meter bear was sighted near the north side of Tate Elementary School in Sendai City's Izumi Ward and reported to police. Later that day, bears of about the same size were also reported in Izumi Ward's Misawa area at 20:10 and in Furunai at 20:15; no injuries or property damage were reported and police are patrolling the area.
Sendai 館, Miyagi
Around 19:30 on April 30, a single bear about 1 meter long was seen crossing the road on the north side of Tate Elementary School in Tate 7-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai; it headed toward Tate Sakura Park and left the scene. There were no injuries or property damage. A sighting was also reported in the Tate area on April 23.
Sendai 館, Miyagi
[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
At about 23:10 on April 29, 2026, a kei car driving south on a municipal road in Minaminakayama 5-chome, Izumi-ku, Sendai collided with a bear that ran out from the left. The bear, about 1.5 meters long, fled into shrubbery on the west side of the road after the collision; the driver, a man in his 50s, was uninjured but the vehicle's left front light was damaged. The bear's whereabouts are currently unknown.
Sendai 西中山, Miyagi
Around 23:10 on the 29th, a single bear about 1.5 meters long collided with a light passenger car in Minamunakayama 5-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai. The car's left front was damaged but the male driver was not injured; the bear ran out from the east side of the road and left toward the woods on the west side.
Sendai 北中山, Miyagi
A bear approximately 1 meter in size was sighted from a passing vehicle. It departed heading toward the tracks to the south.
Daisen Tomaki, Akita
Observed one cub.
Daisen Hanadate, 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
[Report] Moving from the Tanita direction toward the Senboku ballpark direction
Daisen Tochiya, Akita
According to reports, it appears to have passed from the Semboku stadium parking lot through the backyard of a private house and along the embankment of the Akaseki River heading toward the Maruko River.
Daisen Tochiya, Akita
On April 29, 2026 shortly after 08:00, a bear was filmed running near a baseball field in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture from inside a bus. Children remained on the bus and avoided the danger.
Daisen Iida, Akita
Posting: Running through rice paddies. Beside houses and roads.
Daisen Tochiya, Akita
Around 16:20 on April 28, a passerby spotted a single bear about 70 cm long moving in the Nishikawa river in Tomiya-bussho, Tomiya City, and called emergency services. The bear moved in the river east of Route 4 and later departed to the west; there were no injuries, and police have stepped up warnings to nearby schools and increased vigilance.
Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi
Around 16:00 on April 28, a passerby reported to the police a bear about 70 cm long swimming in the Nishikawa in Tomiya Bussho, Tomiya City, Miyagi. The bear swam west toward forested hills; no injuries or damage to buildings have been confirmed.
Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi
[Report] Spotted a bear walking across the river while driving
Daisen Kitanaraoka, Akita
At around 17:55 on April 26, 2026, a driver on Prefectural Route 16 spotted a single bear about 60 cm long sitting in a forested area in Ohira Village, Ohira Akasaka, Miyagi Prefecture. The bear later moved further into the woods and no further sightings have been reported; the police have stepped up patrols in the area.
Ohira 大衡, Miyagi
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
It crossed the road and went up the mountain.
Akita, Akita
Stopped at a traffic light, I saw a bear crossing the road in the rearview mirror.
Tomiya ひより台二丁目, Miyagi
While driving on Route 13 toward Ogatsu, a bear crossed the road from the left in front of me and headed toward the river.
Yuzawa 下関, Akita
A bear was seen walking on the national road in front of Mahoroba Nursery School. Body length about 1 m. Approximately 20 m from the nursery school.
Daisen, Akita
At around 19:30 on the 23rd, a bear about 1 meter long appeared in front of a man riding a bicycle on a municipal road in Tate 1-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai, and then entered the woods. Tohoku High School's Izumi campus and Tate Elementary School sent mass emails to parents to warn them, and the police are urging residents to be cautious.
Sendai 館, Miyagi
At around 19:30 on April 23, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in front of the Sendai City Waterworks Yakata pumping station in Yakata, Izumi Ward, Sendai. A man on a bicycle saw the bear up close; it then fled south into the woods and police patrolled the area and warned residents.
Sendai 西中山, Miyagi
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
Around 8:40: Ran from the eastern mountain across the rice fields toward Ōsawa River. Stayed in the thicket by the Ōsawa River for a few minutes, then ran back to the mountain. Around 8:55: Similar behavior. Body length about 1.5 m. Appears thin.
Daisen Osawagotera, Akita
[Post]
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
Report: Sighted one bear measuring 1 meter. Direction of escape unknown.
Akita, Akita
On the night of April 22, 2026, three bears (believed to be a parent and cubs) were sighted in the brush of a park retention pond in Akenohira, Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture; city staff and police are on alert. No damage or subsequent sightings have been confirmed, and the nearby elementary school has urged students to wear bear bells and increased patrols during commutes.
Tomiya あけの平二丁目, Miyagi
Observed while driving from north to south. Reported to the police; officers patrolled the area but the animal was not found and there was no damage to surroundings. The sighting location was about 600 meters from the nearest house.
Yuzawa 酒蒔, Akita
[Post] Black animal
Yokote 十文字町十五野新田, Akita
Around 18:15 on April 22, 2026, three bears were sighted in the bushes (near a retention pond) of a park in Akenodaira 1-chome, Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture; city staff and police are on alert. The bears are believed to be a parent and cubs; no damage or further sightings have been confirmed, and on April 23 the city checked for footprints and climb marks and strengthened measures at the nearby elementary school (distributed bear bells and increased patrols).
Tomiya あけの平一丁目, Miyagi
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 bear about 70–80 cm long crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
Moved west from the Saifuku-ji main hall; body length approximately 1.0 m.
Yokote Hirakamachi-Kamiyoshida, Akita
A single bear was sighted on the municipal road between Yoshida Elementary School and the Yoshida police box. The bear proceeded south toward the Yoshida nursery. Approximately 1 m in body length. About 80 m from the nearest house.
Yokote 平鹿町中吉田, Akita
At around 07:05 on the 21st, a woman in her 40s who was working spotted a bear approximately 1 meter long in Yokote City, Hiraka-cho, Kamiyoshida Aza Tanoue. The sighting occurred on a municipal road between Yoshida Elementary School and the Yoshida police box, about 70 meters from the nearest house; the police increased patrols during school commuting hours and warned residents to be cautious.
Yokote 平鹿町中吉田, Akita
I was driving in my car when I saw one (a bear) climbing a tree.
Akita, Akita
While working in the fields early in the morning, footprints believed to be from a bear were discovered. The tracks crossed the rows from the south and appear to have immediately turned back.
Ugo, 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
[Post]
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
A JR train driver sighted it on the tracks. It was about 1 meter long and walked off to the west.
Daisen Jinguji, Akita
On April 19 in a residential area of Aoba Ward, Sendai, one adult bear about 1.5 m long was sighted and was removed under the city's "emergency shooting" system. The bear stayed on condominium grounds for about 10 hours; a box trap failed, so authorities used a dart gun and an electric spear to dispatch it. No injuries were reported.
Sendai Mukaida, Miyagi
At around 08:30 on April 19, 2026, a kei car driven by a man in his 20s collided with a bear on the outbound lanes of the Tohoku Expressway in Ohira Village, Miyagi Prefecture. The driver was uninjured; the bear was found dead at the scene and measured about 70 cm in length.
Ohira 奥田, Miyagi
Peak activity at 17:00 with 15 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 147 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 31 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 Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita; the location sits about 221.6 km from the start of the route and 4.3 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 17:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 231 km route from Aoba Ward, Sendai to Akita crosses Miyagi and Akita. Over the past 30 days, 147 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 31 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 Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita; the location sits about 221.6 km from the start of the route and 4.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 days ago at Akita, Akita, sitting about 228.9 km from the start and 41 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
