This 211 km route from Nikko to Kusatsu Onsen crosses Tochigi and Gunma. Over the past 30 days, 35 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 3 days ago near Nakanojō Orida, Gunma; the location sits about 177.3 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Higashiagatsuma Matsuya, Gunma, sitting about 186.9 km from the start and 0 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
Nakanojō Orida, Gunma
Higashiagatsuma Gobara, Gunma
Kusatsu, Gunma
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 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
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Higashiagatsuma Gobara, Gunma
At around 11:55 on May 8, 2026, an animal believed to be an Asian black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted on a mountain path near 1579 Tsukidani-cho, Ashikaga City (around Gyodozan Join-ji). The area is a popular hiking course.
Ashikaga 月谷町, Tochigi
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
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
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Around 04:00 on May 4, 2026, one bear was sighted in a forest about 100 m south of the Sano Police Station Kanma substation in Kanma-cho, Sano City. The bear's body length is unknown.
Sano 梅園町, Tochigi
Sano 梅園町, Tochigi
A bear was reported sighted on a riverbed in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article does not report any injuries or damage.
Nikkō 今市本町, Tochigi
Higashiagatsuma, Gunma
There was something that appeared to be an Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) near Shibukawa City General Park.
Shibukawa 伊香保町水沢, Gunma
Along National Route 145 in Tōgōzuma Town. The area includes hot spring facilities, a roadside station, and a rail-bike facility, and an animal believed to be an Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) was sighted.
Higashiagatsuma Matsuya, Gunma
At around 18:00 on April 26, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 m long was sighted in Hatakawauchi, Tomuro-machi, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture (about 200 m southwest of Asono Gakuen Compulsory Education School).
Sano 戸室町, Tochigi
On 2026-04-26, a bear was sighted near a compulsory education school in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article reports the sighting but does not provide details such as the time of the sighting or whether there were any injuries.
Sano 葛生西三丁目, Tochigi
Sano 戸室町, Tochigi
Around 18:00 on April 25, 2026, a suspected Asian black bear was sighted in Ashikaga City, near 100 m east of Kotani Benten in Honjo 1-chome. This location is about 1.7 km north of Orihime Park where a bear was seen on April 17.
Ashikaga 江川町, Tochigi
When leaving the Agatsuma Gorge roadside station parking lot, a shadow of a black animal was seen. Its movements were like a bear. Be cautious when sightseeing in this area for a while.
Higashiagatsuma, Gunma
On 2026-04-24, a bear was sighted on a walkway in Nikkō City, Tochigi Prefecture, according to Shimotsuke Shimbun. The article is behind a paywall, so detailed circumstances and whether there were any injuries or damage are not confirmed.
Nikkō 今市本町, Tochigi
Nikkō 野口, Tochigi
On 2026-04-23, a bear was reported sighted in a field in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. The article did not provide details of the sighting or whether there were any damages or injuries.
Ashikaga 雪輪町, Tochigi
Around 15:00 on April 21, two bears, about 1.2 meters and 0.5 meters long, were seen walking together on a municipal road near Kinugawa Park in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. A nearby elementary school prompted police to patrol in cooperation with the city and warn people not to approach if they see the bears.
Nikkō 鬼怒川温泉滝, Tochigi
On the morning of April 21, 2026, one bear was sighted on the riverside in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture.
Ashikaga 雪輪町, Tochigi
Around 07:20 on April 21, 2026, an animal believed to be an Asian black bear was sighted on the riverbank in Oomae-cho, Ashikaga City. The sighting occurred about 150 m southwest of the Oomae baseball field, roughly 1.4 km west of Yamamae Station on the JR Ryomo Line; it may have come down the Matsudagawa River.
Ashikaga 大前町, Tochigi
Two bears were sighted in the Fujiwara area of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, reportedly walking near an elementary school. Police are patrolling the area.
Nikkō 藤原, Tochigi
Nikkō 鬼怒川温泉滝, Tochigi
Ashikaga 葉鹿南町, Tochigi
Kusatsu Maeguchi, Gunma
At around 20:00 on April 17, 2026, a single bear approximately 2 meters long was sighted on a road about 950 m southeast of the Terakubo Town Community Center in Terakubocho, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture.
Sano 寺久保町, Tochigi
Around 18:30 on April 17, 2026, a bear believed to be an Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) was sighted at Orihime Park in Tomoecho, Ashikaga City. The report was based on Ashikaga City's official X account; the sighting occurred in an urban area near Orihime Shrine and the city hall.
Ashikaga 巴町, Tochigi
Peak activity at 18:00 with 5 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 35 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 3 days ago near Nakanojō Orida, Gunma; the location sits about 177.3 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 18:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 211 km route from Nikko to Kusatsu Onsen crosses Tochigi and Gunma. Over the past 30 days, 35 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 6 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 3 days ago near Nakanojō Orida, Gunma; the location sits about 177.3 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Higashiagatsuma Matsuya, Gunma, sitting about 186.9 km from the start and 0 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
