Sōji-ji Temple to Kanagawa-juku Drive

Utsunomiya 新里町, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Aoki, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 青木, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Takabayashi, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Mukuriya, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 無栗屋, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Kami-Ōnuki, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi.

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 無栗屋, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Tanakadonai, Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, around 20:28 on May 22.

Sukagawa 市野関, Fukushima

Around 6:25 AM on May 22, a bear was sighted in Ouse-machi Kawauchi-Higashinagura, Koriyama City.

Koriyama, Fukushima

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital reported that a bear was sighted in Nasushiobara City. The article body is behind a paywall for subscribers and detailed information was not publicly available.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

A bear was reported sighted on a municipal road in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind the Shimotsuke Digital paywall and detailed information is not publicly available.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

Around 5:00 PM on May 20, a bear was sighted in Sarashina Tohei, Bandai Town, Fukushima.

Bandai, Fukushima

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind a paywall on Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital, so further details are not publicly available.

Nasu 富岡, Tochigi

Around 08:15 on May 19, 2026, a park user and a manager spotted one bear about 1 meter long at the 'Kodomo no Mori' park in Kuroiwa Hanamigaoka, Kadota-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, and reported it to the Aizuwakamatsu Police via the city. The city has closed the park temporarily.

Aizuwakamatsu Yugawaminami, Fukushima

At around 07:45 on May 19, 2026, a bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted in Ma-fune Kamiyashiki (Ōaza Mafune, Kamiyashiki), Saigō Village, Fukushima Prefecture. No damage to people or property has been confirmed so far, and the police have urged caution.

Nishigo, Fukushima

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Around 07:30 on the 17th, a man in a car reported to police that he saw a bear crossing the road near the west entrance of Ouse Park in Ouse-machi, Koriyama. According to the police the bear, about 1 meter long, crossed the prefectural road and entered the forest in the park; the park had been closed after another sighting on the afternoon of the 16th and staff are patrolling and using firecrackers as countermeasures.

Koriyama, Fukushima

At around 07:30 on May 17, 2026, a man in a car spotted one bear crossing the road and entering the forest near the entrance of Ouse Park in Ouse-cho, Koriyama City, and reported it to the police. Ouse Park has been closed since the 16th after staff found a bear inside the park, and the animal seen this time is believed to be the same one based on its size.

Koriyama, Fukushima

On 2026-05-17, a bear was reported sighted in Yaita City, Tochigi Prefecture. The original article is behind a paywall, so details such as the exact location and time are not available in the text provided.

Yaita, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Yaita, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Following a bear sighting, Ouse Park in Koriyama City was closed from the evening of May 16. After safety was confirmed, the park reopened at 13:00 on May 18; Fukushima Prefecture conducted patrols and used firecrackers in the park on May 17 and 18 as countermeasures.

Koriyama 逢瀬町河内, Fukushima

Crossed National Route 49 from the recreation park side and entered the brush on the north side.

Inawashiro 大字翁沢, Fukushima

At around 16:15 on May 15, 2026, a woman spotted one bear about 0.5 meters long at the Japanese garden Shiki-no-Sato Ryokusui-en in Iwane Kawara, Motomiya City. The bear stayed on the premises briefly but then left toward the adjacent Iokawa River, and the city placed box traps in the nearby woods along the river.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

On May 15 in the Atami Elementary area of Atami-machi, Koriyama City, there were two bear sightings. Around 07:00 a bear about 0.5 m long was seen running from a field into the forest in Takadama Asozawa, and at 09:15 another bear about 1 m long was seen crossing the JR Ban'etsu West Line tracks in Takadama Hirabayashi. The Koriyama North Police are on alert.

Koriyama, Fukushima

On May 14, 2026 at about 07:40, a bear approximately 1.0 m long was sighted on the riverbank in Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Higashiyama-cho Oaza Ishiyama Innai. The same day, another ~1.0 m bear was seen in Hanamigaoka 2-chome climbing a tree, a ~0.6 m bear was seen climbing a residential fence in Hanamigaoka 1-chome, and a ~0.5 m bear was observed walking along a forest road and entering woodland in Shirakawa-shi, Daisin Masumi Oaza Ohninata — four bears were reported in total.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Ishiyama, Fukushima

On May 14, 2026, a bear was sighted climbing a residential fence in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. No injuries were reported and residents were warned to be cautious.

Aizuwakamatsu Outemachi, Fukushima

At about 18:45 on May 13, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was seen in Iwane Aza Nakamaeda, Motomiya City, running toward the forest and running away.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

A single bear was sighted on a road in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind a paywall and does not report detailed circumstances of the sighting or whether there was any damage.

Nasu 富岡, Tochigi

At around 14:15 on the 13th, a man in his 70s spotted a bear about 1 meter long in woodland in Higashiyama-machi, Aizuwakamatsu. The bear climbed into the forest and fled; the man was not injured.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Just after noon on May 12, a single animal believed to be a bear about 0.5 m long was sighted in a cemetery in Kuroiwa, Kanda-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. The animal walked toward the mountain to the east and its whereabouts are currently unknown; no injuries or damage have been confirmed. Police continue patrols by cruiser and are sharing information with Aizuwakamatsu City Hall.

Aizuwakamatsu Mondenmachi-Oyama, Fukushima

Around 11:55 on May 12, a man in Shirakawa City's Fujisawa mountain area witnessed an animal believed to be a bear about 1.5 meters long crossing a municipal road and entering the forest. No human injuries have been reported, and the police have urged caution.

Shirakawa 藤沢窪, Fukushima

At around 06:50 on May 12, in the area of the Ban-etsu Expressway (downward 75.6 km post) in Iwane, Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture, a man in his 60s witnessed a bear about 80 cm long crossing the highway from north to south. The bear went up the road embankment and no human injuries were reported; police are patrolling the area and urging caution.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

On May 12, 2026, a single bear was sighted on a prefectural road in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, according to Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital. Further details are behind a paywall.

Sano 高砂町, Tochigi

On May 12, 2026, a single bear about 80 cm long was seen crossing the Ban-etsu Expressway in Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

On May 11, 2026, between about 16:00 and 17:00, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted on the prefectural road (Tanuma–Karasawayama Park Line) leading from Tochimoto Park toward Karasawayama in Tochimotocho, Sano City. The bear headed west after the sighting.

Sano 栃本町, Tochigi

Around 11:30 AM on the 10th in Minato-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, a man doing farm work spotted one bear about 1 meter long in a bamboo thicket. The bear entered the thicket, no injuries were reported, and police are monitoring the area.

Aizuwakamatsu Outemachi, Fukushima

A bear was sighted on a road in Nasu-Shiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. Detailed circumstances and responses have not been confirmed from the article.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

A single bear was sighted swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. The man who saw it told reporters that it swam about 300 meters.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

At around 14:25 on the 8th, a single bear was observed swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. The male witness told reporters that the bear swam about 300 meters.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

A bear was sighted swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. A male witness told reporters that it swam about 300 meters.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

On 2026-05-08, a sighting of a 'bear-like animal' walking in a rice field was reported in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture (Fukushima TV). No specific time or more detailed location was provided.

Sukagawa 加治町, Fukushima

Around 14:40 on the 7th, a man walking on a promenade in Kuroiwa, Motoda-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted one bear about 1 meter long. The bear then walked south along the promenade, and no damage in the surrounding area has been reported so far.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Yumoto, Fukushima

A bear was reported sighted in a mountain forest in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The full article is behind a paywall, so further details are not available.

Sano 高砂町, Tochigi

At about 14:50 on the 5th, a man in his 50s reported to the Inawashiro Police Station that he had sighted one bear about 1 meter long in a parking lot in Tsumachi, Inawashiro Town. The bear fled into the forest east of the parking lot, and the police are patrolling the area.

Inawashiro 字並杉西, Fukushima

A bear was walking south from Iwahashi Shrine.

Inawashiro 字西峰, Fukushima

At around 13:50 on May 4, a single bear about 1 meter long was spotted along Route 49 near Ogasawara Goten-yama (Ogasawa), Inawashiro Town. No human or property damage has been confirmed so far, and the police have warned the public to be cautious.

Inawashiro 大字翁沢, Fukushima

At around 09:20 on May 4, a single bear was sighted up in a tree in Kuroiwa, Monden-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City. The police have warned residents to be cautious, and no injuries or property damage have been reported so far.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Yumoto, Fukushima

Around 17:30 on April 30, a man in Hanamigaoka, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted one bear about 50 cm long in the brush of a mountain forest. No damage has been confirmed in the area; the police are patrolling with patrol cars and coordinating with the Aizuwakamatsu City Hall to respond.

Aizuwakamatsu Takaramachi, Fukushima

At around 15:05 on April 29, 2026, a man collecting wild plants at the edge of the ski slope in the Minero area of Inawashiro Ski Resort, Nakamaruyama, Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted one bear about 1.2 meters long. The bear returned to the woods afterward, and no injuries or property damage were reported.

Inawashiro 字葉山, Fukushima

On 2026-04-29 at around 08:45, a single bear about 1 meter long was seen walking on the riverbed in Yukawaminami, Aizuwakamatsu. No damage to people or property was reported.

Aizuwakamatsu Yugawaminami, Fukushima

At around 09:45 on April 28, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in the fields at Fukuroda Aza-Miya, Sukagawa City, by a person driving by; the bear then left toward fields to the north. No injuries or damage have been reported; police are patrolling by patrol car and coordinating with Sukagawa City Hall.

Sukagawa 袋田, Fukushima

At a private residence in Tenneiji-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, a woman in her 50s spotted a bear about 50 cm long in the bushes on her property. The bear's subsequent whereabouts are unknown; no injuries were reported, and police are urging nearby residents to be cautious.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Around 18:40 on April 26, in Tenneiji-cho, Aizuwakamatsu City, a woman spotted a bear about 50 cm long walking in the brush on her property. No damage has been reported; police are patrolling the area in patrol cars and coordinating with Aizuwakamatsu City Hall to respond.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

At around 14:15 on the 13th, a man in his 70s spotted a bear about 1 meter long in woodland in Higashiyama-machi, Aizuwakamatsu. The bear climbed into the forest and fled; the man was not injured.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Just after noon on May 12, a single animal believed to be a bear about 0.5 m long was sighted in a cemetery in Kuroiwa, Kanda-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. The animal walked toward the mountain to the east and its whereabouts are currently unknown; no injuries or damage have been confirmed. Police continue patrols by cruiser and are sharing information with Aizuwakamatsu City Hall.

Aizuwakamatsu Mondenmachi-Oyama, Fukushima

Around 11:30 AM on the 10th in Minato-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, a man doing farm work spotted one bear about 1 meter long in a bamboo thicket. The bear entered the thicket, no injuries were reported, and police are monitoring the area.

Aizuwakamatsu Outemachi, Fukushima

Around 14:40 on the 7th, a man walking on a promenade in Kuroiwa, Motoda-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted one bear about 1 meter long. The bear then walked south along the promenade, and no damage in the surrounding area has been reported so far.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Yumoto, Fukushima

At around 09:20 on May 4, a single bear was sighted up in a tree in Kuroiwa, Monden-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City. The police have warned residents to be cautious, and no injuries or property damage have been reported so far.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Yumoto, Fukushima

Around 17:30 on April 30, a man in Hanamigaoka, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted one bear about 50 cm long in the brush of a mountain forest. No damage has been confirmed in the area; the police are patrolling with patrol cars and coordinating with the Aizuwakamatsu City Hall to respond.

Aizuwakamatsu Takaramachi, Fukushima

On 2026-04-29 at around 08:45, a single bear about 1 meter long was seen walking on the riverbed in Yukawaminami, Aizuwakamatsu. No damage to people or property was reported.

Aizuwakamatsu Yugawaminami, Fukushima

At a private residence in Tenneiji-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, a woman in her 50s spotted a bear about 50 cm long in the bushes on her property. The bear's subsequent whereabouts are unknown; no injuries were reported, and police are urging nearby residents to be cautious.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Around 18:40 on April 26, in Tenneiji-cho, Aizuwakamatsu City, a woman spotted a bear about 50 cm long walking in the brush on her property. No damage has been reported; police are patrolling the area in patrol cars and coordinating with Aizuwakamatsu City Hall to respond.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Around 06:30 on 2026-05-18, one bear-like animal was sighted in a grove in Miharaishi-no-oka, Yamagata City. The city closed a nearby observation deck and used public announcement vehicles to warn local residents.

Yamagata Kurosawa, Yamagata

Was roaming near Sankōen

Murayama 楯岡中町, Yamagata

Just after 04:00 on May 18, 2026, one bear was sighted near Sankouen in Chuo, Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture. The city warned of the possibility of further sightings and urged residents and passersby to carry noise-making devices like bells or radios and to secure their homes.

Murayama 楯岡中町, Yamagata

On the morning of May 16, 2026, a bear was seen around 05:20 near the municipal Seventh Junior High School in Azusagawa, Yonezawa City; about an hour later another bear was reported in Mansei-cho Ushimori at 06:20, and roughly an hour after that a bear was sighted in Hachimabara 4-chome. All observed bears were about 1 meter long; it is unknown whether they were the same individual. The police have increased patrols and the prefecture issued a bear sighting warning.

Yonezawa Takei, Yamagata

On May 15 a single bear about 1 meter long was repeatedly sighted in a residential area and near Matsuyama Elementary School in Kitakata City. The city set box traps and the bear was captured/put down after entering a trap around 18:30 that day. No injuries or property damage were reported; the elementary school postponed its sports day.

Kitakata 松山町村松, Fukushima

On May 15 in Kitakata City, bears were sighted separately in the residential areas of Machinishi and Ougida in the early morning, and a bear was also seen crossing the playground of Matsuyama Elementary School around 07:30. The city set a box trap and captured one bear at about 18:30 the same day; no injuries or property damage have been reported.

Kitakata 字長源段, Fukushima

On May 15 a bear about 1.1 m long remained in the grove near Matsuyama Elementary School in Kitakata City; the city set box traps and the animal entered a trap and was captured and euthanized under anesthesia around 18:30 the same day. Earlier that morning, other bears about 50 cm and 150 cm were also reported in the city; no injuries or property damage were confirmed.

Kitakata 松山町村松, Fukushima

On the morning of May 15, 2026, multiple bear sightings were reported in Kitakata City. Around 08:00 a.m., a police officer on patrol spotted a single bear about 1 meter long in the grove east of Matsuyama Elementary School; the bear remained there and was later culled in the woods in the evening.

Kitakata 字町西, Fukushima

On the morning of May 15, 2026 a bear appeared in a residential area of Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture. It was believed to have remained in a grove near an elementary school about 3 km away as of 17:30, with police on alert; local authorities plan to capture it using a box trap.

Kitakata 字小田付道下, Fukushima

On May 15, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted from around 05:00 near Matsuyama Elementary School in Matsuyama-cho, Kitakata. The bear was captured in a box trap set by the city at about 18:30; no injuries or property damage were reported.

Kitakata 岩月町喜多方, Fukushima

At around 04:55 on May 15, a bear about 0.5 m long was seen crossing a road in a residential area of Machinishi, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture. Later that day a bear remained near the woods by Matsuyama Elementary School, and the city set a box trap and captured one bear at about 18:30; no injuries were reported.

Kitakata 字寺町南, Fukushima

On May 14, 2026 at about 07:40, a bear approximately 1.0 m long was sighted on the riverbank in Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Higashiyama-cho Oaza Ishiyama Innai. The same day, another ~1.0 m bear was seen in Hanamigaoka 2-chome climbing a tree, a ~0.6 m bear was seen climbing a residential fence in Hanamigaoka 1-chome, and a ~0.5 m bear was observed walking along a forest road and entering woodland in Shirakawa-shi, Daisin Masumi Oaza Ohninata — four bears were reported in total.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Ishiyama, Fukushima

On May 14, 2026, a bear was sighted climbing a residential fence in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. No injuries were reported and residents were warned to be cautious.

Aizuwakamatsu Outemachi, Fukushima

At around 14:15 on the 13th, a man in his 70s spotted a bear about 1 meter long in woodland in Higashiyama-machi, Aizuwakamatsu. The bear climbed into the forest and fled; the man was not injured.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Bear tracks were found in the field.

Murayama 大字大槇, Yamagata

On May 12, 2026, bear sightings were reported in Higashi 1-chome, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. Around 17:00 a bear estimated about 1 meter long was seen, and around 19:00 a bear about 80 cm long was sighted; the city has issued a caution to residents.

Yonezawa Shimohanazawa, Yamagata

Around 17:00 on the 12th, a bear was sighted in Higashi 1-chome, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Yonezawa Shimohanazawa, Yamagata

Just after noon on May 12, a single animal believed to be a bear about 0.5 m long was sighted in a cemetery in Kuroiwa, Kanda-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. The animal walked toward the mountain to the east and its whereabouts are currently unknown; no injuries or damage have been confirmed. Police continue patrols by cruiser and are sharing information with Aizuwakamatsu City Hall.

Aizuwakamatsu Mondenmachi-Oyama, Fukushima

Around 11:30 AM on the 10th in Minato-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, a man doing farm work spotted one bear about 1 meter long in a bamboo thicket. The bear entered the thicket, no injuries were reported, and police are monitoring the area.

Aizuwakamatsu Outemachi, Fukushima

Around 18:30 on the 7th, a woman spotted one bear (about 50 cm long) on the riverbank along Ubadogawa in Takado-ta, Yabaku, Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture. No damage has been confirmed in the area; police are patrolling by patrol car and coordinating with Kitakata City Hall.

Kitashiobara 大字下吉, Fukushima

Around 14:40 on the 7th, a man walking on a promenade in Kuroiwa, Motoda-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted one bear about 1 meter long. The bear then walked south along the promenade, and no damage in the surrounding area has been reported so far.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Yumoto, Fukushima

On the 6th, the Kaminoyama Police reported that a bear was sighted in Kawaguchi, Kaminoyama City on May 5 at 16:00. Further details are not specified in the partially paywalled article.

Kaminoyama 川口, Yamagata

At around 09:20 on May 4, a single bear was sighted up in a tree in Kuroiwa, Monden-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City. The police have warned residents to be cautious, and no injuries or property damage have been reported so far.

Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyamamachi-Yumoto, Fukushima

At around 9:45 a.m. on the 3rd, the Kitakata police reported that one bear, approximately 70 cm in length, was sighted in the mountain forest at Tomimiyama Aza Sanchobu, Matsuyama-machi, Kitakata City.

Kitakata 松山町鳥見山, Fukushima

On May 3, 2026 at about 07:10, a roughly 1-meter-long bear was spotted on the riverbed in Nakano-me Ko, Miyoshi, Shiokawa-machi, Kitakata City. Later the same day at about 09:45, a roughly 70-cm bear, believed to be a cub, was seen in woodland in Torimiyama, Matsuyama-machi while a man was cleaning a drainage channel; no injuries were reported and police have urged residents to be cautious.

Kitakata 塩川町三吉, Fukushima

Around 17:30 on April 30, a man in Hanamigaoka, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, sighted one bear about 50 cm long in the brush of a mountain forest. No damage has been confirmed in the area; the police are patrolling with patrol cars and coordinating with the Aizuwakamatsu City Hall to respond.

Aizuwakamatsu Takaramachi, Fukushima

At around 7:00 a.m. on April 30, 2026, one bear believed to be an adult was sighted in the urban area of Yōgai in Yamanobe Town, Yamagata Prefecture.

Yamanobe 大字要害, Yamagata

At around 06:20 on April 30, 2026, a single bear was sighted moving from the Omi area of Yamabe Town toward Otsuka and Yōgai districts in Yamagata Prefecture. No human or property damage has been confirmed so far, and the police have warned residents that the bear may be hiding nearby.

Yamanobe 近江, Yamagata

Around 06:00 on April 30, one bear believed to be an adult was sighted in the urban area of Otsuka, Yamanobe Town, Yamagata Prefecture. The scene was only a few hundred meters from a location in Oumi where a bear was also sighted around the same time.

Yamanobe 大字大塚, Yamagata

On 2026-04-30 just after 06:00, residents in Omi, Yamanobe Town, Yamagata Prefecture reported a bear sighting, and sightings were also reported in the nearby Otsuka and Yōgai districts. The town warned that it may be the same individual and urged caution; the prefecture noted an increase in sightings and advised residents to avoid early-morning/night outings and not to leave household garbage outside.

Yamanobe 近江, Yamagata

On 2026-04-29 at around 08:45, a single bear about 1 meter long was seen walking on the riverbed in Yukawaminami, Aizuwakamatsu. No damage to people or property was reported.

Aizuwakamatsu Yugawaminami, Fukushima

In the early morning of April 29, 2026 (around 00:00), an adult bear was sighted in the residential area of Futukamachi, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. No further sightings were reported; the city and police urged residents to be cautious, and the prefecture has issued a bear alert.

Kaminoyama 北町, Yamagata

Around 00:00 on April 29, 2026, a passerby spotted one bear along Maegawa in Futsukamachi 1-chome, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture, and reported it to the police. No damage has been reported since the sighting; the city is distributing flyers to nearby residents and issuing cautions.

Kaminoyama 北町, Yamagata

In the early morning of 2026-04-29, a bear, appearing as a dark mass, was filmed along the Maegawa north of the Kaminoyama City Comprehensive Children's Center Mengoria in Futukamachi, Kaminoyama City. Sightings have been frequent across the prefecture, and the prefectural government has issued a bear warning.

Kaminoyama 北町, Yamagata

At around 10:30 a.m. on April 28, 2026, one bear believed to be an adult was sighted in Koiwazawa, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. Reports only describe the sighting.

Nanyo 小岩沢, Yamagata

At around 16:15 on the 27th, one bear was sighted in the Mihara-shi no Oka area of Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. The bear reportedly ran from the west side of New Truck Kaminoyama toward the solar panel area, and the city has issued a caution.

Kaminoyama みはらしの丘, Yamagata

At around 16:10 on April 27, a single bear was sighted in Mihara, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Kaminoyama 三本松, Yamagata

Yamagata Prefecture issued its first bear-sighting advisory of the fiscal year on April 27 after a total of five bear sightings in urban areas such as Tsuruoka and Tendo during the week through April 26. At around 16:00 on April 27, one bear was observed in a residential area in Mihara-shi no Oka, Kaminoyama City.

Yamagata Kurosawa, Yamagata

At a private residence in Tenneiji-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, a woman in her 50s spotted a bear about 50 cm long in the bushes on her property. The bear's subsequent whereabouts are unknown; no injuries were reported, and police are urging nearby residents to be cautious.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Around 18:40 on April 26, in Tenneiji-cho, Aizuwakamatsu City, a woman spotted a bear about 50 cm long walking in the brush on her property. No damage has been reported; police are patrolling the area in patrol cars and coordinating with Aizuwakamatsu City Hall to respond.

Aizuwakamatsu Tenneijimachi, Fukushima

Around 18:00 on April 26, tracks believed to be from a bear were found in Yachi, Kahoku Town. Police say no human or property damage has been confirmed and are advising caution when passing through the area and asking people to report any sightings.

Kahoku 大字吉田, Yamagata

One bear was sighted inside a residential property in Takabayashi, Nasu-Shiobara City.

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

Utsunomiya 新里町, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Nakanouchi, Iizaka-machi, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Iizakamachi, Fukushima

A bear was sighted in Aoki, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 青木, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Takabayashi, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Mukuriya, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 無栗屋, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Kami-Ōnuki, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi.

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 無栗屋, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Tanakadonai, Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, around 20:28 on May 22.

Sukagawa 市野関, Fukushima

A teenage boy on the way home from school sighted one bear, about 1.5 meters long, in a pasture area in Daito, Dakeonsen, Nihonmatsu City.

Nihonmatsu 岳温泉大和, Fukushima

Around 6:25 AM on May 22, a bear was sighted in Ouse-machi Kawauchi-Higashinagura, Koriyama City.

Koriyama, Fukushima

One bear was sighted in Nambara Inawashirocho, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. It was estimated to be about 1 meter long.

Yonezawa Minamihara-Inawashiromachi, Yamagata

Around 11:00 on 2026-05-22, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Nakanoenbu, Iizakamachi, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Iizakamachi-Nakano, Fukushima

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Around 08:30 on May 21, 2026, an man in his 80s spotted a bear about 50 cm long in a field in Fukushima City, Ozasao Aza Kaminomachi, and reported it to the Fukushima North Police at about 10:00. The bear ran into brush to the west; the site is about 700 meters west of Michi-no-Eki Fukushima and about 500 meters from Ozasao Elementary School, which asked parents to pick up children by car at dismissal.

Fukushima Ozaso, Fukushima

At around 07:30 on May 21, 2026, an animal resembling a bear was sighted in Matsubara, Yamagata City. The article is partially behind a paywall and detailed information about the sighting was not provided.

Yamagata Matsubara, Yamagata

Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital reported that a bear was sighted in Nasushiobara City. The article body is behind a paywall for subscribers and detailed information was not publicly available.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

Witnessed on the way back from fishing

Fukushima Kuroiwa, Fukushima

A bear was reported sighted on a municipal road in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind the Shimotsuke Digital paywall and detailed information is not publicly available.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind a paywall on Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital, so further details are not publicly available.

Nasu 富岡, Tochigi

At around 07:45 on May 19, 2026, a bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted in Ma-fune Kamiyashiki (Ōaza Mafune, Kamiyashiki), Saigō Village, Fukushima Prefecture. No damage to people or property has been confirmed so far, and the police have urged caution.

Nishigo, Fukushima

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

In Nagata 2-chome, Nihonmatsu City, at around 11:10 on May 18, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was observed on residential premises.

Nihonmatsu 永田鍛治内, Fukushima

Around 06:30 on 2026-05-18, one bear-like animal was sighted in a grove in Miharaishi-no-oka, Yamagata City. The city closed a nearby observation deck and used public announcement vehicles to warn local residents.

Yamagata Kurosawa, Yamagata

Was roaming near Sankōen

Murayama 楯岡中町, Yamagata

Just after 04:00 on May 18, 2026, one bear was sighted near Sankouen in Chuo, Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture. The city warned of the possibility of further sightings and urged residents and passersby to carry noise-making devices like bells or radios and to secure their homes.

Murayama 楯岡中町, Yamagata

On 2026-05-18 in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, a bear appeared on the grounds of a private residence and was sighted about one meter from the house.

Nihonmatsu 金色, Fukushima

Around 07:30 on the 17th, a man in a car reported to police that he saw a bear crossing the road near the west entrance of Ouse Park in Ouse-machi, Koriyama. According to the police the bear, about 1 meter long, crossed the prefectural road and entered the forest in the park; the park had been closed after another sighting on the afternoon of the 16th and staff are patrolling and using firecrackers as countermeasures.

Koriyama, Fukushima

At around 07:30 on May 17, 2026, a man in a car spotted one bear crossing the road and entering the forest near the entrance of Ouse Park in Ouse-cho, Koriyama City, and reported it to the police. Ouse Park has been closed since the 16th after staff found a bear inside the park, and the animal seen this time is believed to be the same one based on its size.

Koriyama, Fukushima

On 2026-05-17, a bear was reported sighted in Yaita City, Tochigi Prefecture. The original article is behind a paywall, so details such as the exact location and time are not available in the text provided.

Yaita, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Yaita, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Following a bear sighting, Ouse Park in Koriyama City was closed from the evening of May 16. After safety was confirmed, the park reopened at 13:00 on May 18; Fukushima Prefecture conducted patrols and used firecrackers in the park on May 17 and 18 as countermeasures.

Koriyama 逢瀬町河内, Fukushima

At around 06:10 on May 16, 2026, a man walking in Omori Nishiomote, Fukushima City, spotted a single bear about 1.5 meters long. The bear returned to the mountains afterward, and no injuries have been reported.

Fukushima Omori, Fukushima

On May 16 at around 06:00, a resident in Niiza, Nihonmatsu City, saw a single bear about 1.5 meters long wandering in another house's grounds, climb over a fence, and head into the bushes. About an hour and a half later a bear was seen on a road, and around 16:00 one was seen in a cemetery; sightings were reported elsewhere in the prefecture and police have increased vigilance.

Nihonmatsu 新座, Fukushima

On the morning of May 16, 2026, a bear was seen around 05:20 near the municipal Seventh Junior High School in Azusagawa, Yonezawa City; about an hour later another bear was reported in Mansei-cho Ushimori at 06:20, and roughly an hour after that a bear was sighted in Hachimabara 4-chome. All observed bears were about 1 meter long; it is unknown whether they were the same individual. The police have increased patrols and the prefecture issued a bear sighting warning.

Yonezawa Takei, Yamagata

At around 16:15 on May 15, 2026, a woman spotted one bear about 0.5 meters long at the Japanese garden Shiki-no-Sato Ryokusui-en in Iwane Kawara, Motomiya City. The bear stayed on the premises briefly but then left toward the adjacent Iokawa River, and the city placed box traps in the nearby woods along the river.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

A bear sighting was reported in Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture. The article does not specify the exact location, time, or whether there were any damages.

Motomiya 本宮, Fukushima

At about 18:45 on May 13, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was seen in Iwane Aza Nakamaeda, Motomiya City, running toward the forest and running away.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

A single bear was sighted on a road in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind a paywall and does not report detailed circumstances of the sighting or whether there was any damage.

Nasu 富岡, Tochigi

Bear tracks were found in the field.

Murayama 大字大槇, Yamagata

At around 05:05 on May 13, in a municipal road in Shibukawa Kubo, Nihonmatsu City, a woman in her 50s walking her dog sighted a bear about 1 meter long entering the forest from the road. The witness was not injured, and police are on alert in the area.

Nihonmatsu 上原, Fukushima

On May 12, 2026, bear sightings were reported in Higashi 1-chome, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. Around 17:00 a bear estimated about 1 meter long was seen, and around 19:00 a bear about 80 cm long was sighted; the city has issued a caution to residents.

Yonezawa Shimohanazawa, Yamagata

Around 17:00 on the 12th, a bear was sighted in Higashi 1-chome, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Yonezawa Shimohanazawa, Yamagata

Around 11:55 on May 12, a man in Shirakawa City's Fujisawa mountain area witnessed an animal believed to be a bear about 1.5 meters long crossing a municipal road and entering the forest. No human injuries have been reported, and the police have urged caution.

Shirakawa 藤沢窪, Fukushima

At around 06:50 on May 12, in the area of the Ban-etsu Expressway (downward 75.6 km post) in Iwane, Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture, a man in his 60s witnessed a bear about 80 cm long crossing the highway from north to south. The bear went up the road embankment and no human injuries were reported; police are patrolling the area and urging caution.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

On May 12, 2026, a single bear was sighted on a prefectural road in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, according to Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital. Further details are behind a paywall.

Sano 高砂町, Tochigi

On May 12, 2026, a single bear about 80 cm long was seen crossing the Ban-etsu Expressway in Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

On May 11, 2026, between about 16:00 and 17:00, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted on the prefectural road (Tanuma–Karasawayama Park Line) leading from Tochimoto Park toward Karasawayama in Tochimotocho, Sano City. The bear headed west after the sighting.

Sano 栃本町, Tochigi

A bear was sighted on a road in Nasu-Shiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. Detailed circumstances and responses have not been confirmed from the article.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

A single bear was sighted swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture. The man who saw it told reporters that it swam about 300 meters.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

At around 14:25 on the 8th, a single bear was observed swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. The male witness told reporters that the bear swam about 300 meters.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

At around 07:40 on the 8th, a bear was sighted in Misawa, Yonezawa City.

Yonezawa Sekine, Yamagata

A bear was sighted swimming in a dam in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture. A male witness told reporters that it swam about 300 meters.

Nasushiobara 共墾社, Tochigi

On 2026-05-08, a sighting of a 'bear-like animal' walking in a rice field was reported in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture (Fukushima TV). No specific time or more detailed location was provided.

Sukagawa 加治町, Fukushima

A bear sighting was reported in Ōtama Village, Fukushima Prefecture. The bear is believed to be a single individual, and authorities have urged caution.

Otama Tamanoi, Fukushima

A bear was reported sighted in a mountain forest in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The full article is behind a paywall, so further details are not available.

Sano 高砂町, Tochigi

On 2026-05-07 a bear sighting was reported in Iizaka-machi, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. The article does not mention any injuries or capture.

Fukushima, Fukushima

On the 6th, the Kaminoyama Police reported that a bear was sighted in Kawaguchi, Kaminoyama City on May 5 at 16:00. Further details are not specified in the partially paywalled article.

Kaminoyama 川口, Yamagata

In Fukushima City's Matsukawamachi Mizuhara Minamisawa area, a single bear about 1 m long was seen standing with its paw on a guardrail. No human or property damage was reported; the bear's subsequent whereabouts are unknown and police are patrolling by patrol car.

Fukushima Matsukawamachi-Mizuhara, Fukushima

At about 11:25 on May 5, a woman driving in Mizuhara Minamisawa, Matsukawa-machi, Fukushima City, sighted a single bear about 1 meter long standing with its paws on a guardrail. No human or property damage has been reported so far.

Fukushima Matsukawamachi-Mizuhara, Fukushima

Around 12:20 PM on May 2, 2026, a man in his 30s walking near the Arakawa in Niida Shimokawahara, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, reported seeing one animal believed to be a bear to the Fukushima police station. The police said the animal's body length is unknown, and the sighting occurred near the Fukushima Toyota Crown Arena.

Fukushima Yagita, Fukushima

At about 06:30 on May 2, 2026, a man in his 60s driving in Iizaka-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road and reported it to the police. The bear left following an irrigation channel and its whereabouts are unknown; there were no injuries. Police are patrolling the area and urging caution.

Fukushima, Fukushima

Around 10:50 a.m. on the 30th, an woman in her 80s spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on a farm road in the Harasekawara area of Nihonmatsu City. No human injuries or property damage have been confirmed.

Nihonmatsu 原セ川原, Fukushima

At around 7:00 a.m. on April 30, 2026, one bear believed to be an adult was sighted in the urban area of Yōgai in Yamanobe Town, Yamagata Prefecture.

Yamanobe 大字要害, Yamagata

At around 06:20 on April 30, 2026, a single bear was sighted moving from the Omi area of Yamabe Town toward Otsuka and Yōgai districts in Yamagata Prefecture. No human or property damage has been confirmed so far, and the police have warned residents that the bear may be hiding nearby.

Yamanobe 近江, Yamagata

Around 06:00 on April 30, one bear believed to be an adult was sighted in the urban area of Otsuka, Yamanobe Town, Yamagata Prefecture. The scene was only a few hundred meters from a location in Oumi where a bear was also sighted around the same time.

Yamanobe 大字大塚, Yamagata

On 2026-04-30 just after 06:00, residents in Omi, Yamanobe Town, Yamagata Prefecture reported a bear sighting, and sightings were also reported in the nearby Otsuka and Yōgai districts. The town warned that it may be the same individual and urged caution; the prefecture noted an increase in sightings and advised residents to avoid early-morning/night outings and not to leave household garbage outside.

Yamanobe 近江, Yamagata

In the early morning of April 29, 2026 (around 00:00), an adult bear was sighted in the residential area of Futukamachi, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. No further sightings were reported; the city and police urged residents to be cautious, and the prefecture has issued a bear alert.

Kaminoyama 北町, Yamagata

Around 00:00 on April 29, 2026, a passerby spotted one bear along Maegawa in Futsukamachi 1-chome, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture, and reported it to the police. No damage has been reported since the sighting; the city is distributing flyers to nearby residents and issuing cautions.

Kaminoyama 北町, Yamagata

In the early morning of 2026-04-29, a bear, appearing as a dark mass, was filmed along the Maegawa north of the Kaminoyama City Comprehensive Children's Center Mengoria in Futukamachi, Kaminoyama City. Sightings have been frequent across the prefecture, and the prefectural government has issued a bear warning.

Kaminoyama 北町, Yamagata

At around 15:25 on April 28, 2026, a runner spotted a single bear about 1.0 m long on the Arakawa riverbank at Niida Nishi-Shimokawara in Fukushima City. No human or property damage was reported; Fukushima police increased patrols and a large walking event scheduled for the next day was canceled.

Fukushima Yoshikura, Fukushima

At around 15:23 on April 28, 2026, a man jogging along the Arakawa near Niiida Nishishimokawara in Fukushima City sighted a bear approximately 1 meter long. No injuries or damage have been reported; police and city officials are searching and keeping the area under watch.

Fukushima Yoshikura, Fukushima

At around 10:30 a.m. on April 28, 2026, one bear believed to be an adult was sighted in Koiwazawa, Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture. Reports only describe the sighting.

Nanyo 小岩沢, Yamagata

At around 09:45 on April 28, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in the fields at Fukuroda Aza-Miya, Sukagawa City, by a person driving by; the bear then left toward fields to the north. No injuries or damage have been reported; police are patrolling by patrol car and coordinating with Sukagawa City Hall.

Sukagawa 袋田, Fukushima

Around 18:30 on April 27, a single bear about 1.2 meters long was sighted on a road in Hiraiishi Aza Uehara, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Fushiogami, Fukushima

At around 16:15 on the 27th, one bear was sighted in the Mihara-shi no Oka area of Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. The bear reportedly ran from the west side of New Truck Kaminoyama toward the solar panel area, and the city has issued a caution.

Kaminoyama みはらしの丘, Yamagata

At around 16:10 on April 27, a single bear was sighted in Mihara, Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Kaminoyama 三本松, Yamagata

Yamagata Prefecture issued its first bear-sighting advisory of the fiscal year on April 27 after a total of five bear sightings in urban areas such as Tsuruoka and Tendo during the week through April 26. At around 16:00 on April 27, one bear was observed in a residential area in Mihara-shi no Oka, Kaminoyama City.

Yamagata Kurosawa, Yamagata

Around 18:00 on April 26, tracks believed to be from a bear were found in Yachi, Kahoku Town. Police say no human or property damage has been confirmed and are advising caution when passing through the area and asking people to report any sightings.

Kahoku 大字吉田, Yamagata