This 205 km route from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Takayama Castle crosses Aichi and Gifu. Over the past 30 days, 10 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Gifu 三輪, Gifu; the location sits about 98.1 km from the start of the route and 3.8 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Takayama, Gifu, sitting about 182.2 km from the start and 234 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
At around 14:15 on May 13, 2026, a report was received that a 'large black object larger than a dog' crossed a farm road in the Miwa district of Gifu City; the city and police are patrolling. Since April there have been repeated sightings and attacks on chickens in nearby Seki City, and authorities say the same individual may be moving between the areas.
Gifu 三輪, Gifu
Bear the size of a small-to-medium bear
Takayama, Gifu
I heard there was a sighting.
Seki 千疋, Gifu
Four chickens kept at a residence in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, were found dead and are believed to have been attacked by a bear. Around the Nagara River in the city, a resident filmed one bear on May 1, and the city has stepped up warnings.
Seki 西本郷, Gifu
Around 11:30 AM on May 2, 2026, a tourist spotted an adult bear about 1 meter long moving toward the mountain within the precincts of Hie Shrine in Shiroyama, Takayama City, the city announced.
Takayama 城山, Gifu
On May 1 in Seki City, of six chickens kept at a residence four were found dead in the yard and two were missing. The carcasses were gone the next day, bear tracks were found nearby, and since bear sightings increased from April 28 to May 2 the city has set traps and posted signs to warn residents.
Seki 西本郷, Gifu
A presumed adult Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) about 1 meter long was repeatedly sighted along the right bank of the Nagara River in Ikejiri, Seki City, from April 28 onward. On May 1, of six chickens kept at a nearby residence four were found dead and two missing; bear tracks and dug-up traces were found nearby, and the city has stepped up precautions by installing box traps and warning signs.
Seki 池尻, Gifu
Around 15:00 on April 30, a single adult Asian black bear of about 1 meter in length was sighted near the Nagara River right bank by the Kose Ukai fishing ground in Seki City Ikejiri. On May 1, four of six chickens kept at a nearby house were found dead with bite marks, and bear tracks were discovered in woodland about 200 meters from the house.
Seki, Gifu
In Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, multiple bear sightings have occurred since the end of last month, and damage to chickens has been confirmed. The city set up box traps together with the local hunters' association and is urging residents to be cautious.
Seki 西本郷, Gifu
In Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, there were five bear sightings between April 28 and May 2 — four in Ikejiri and one in Hiromi. At a residence in Ikejiri, four of six kept chickens were found dead on April 29, and on April 30 the burial site was dug up and bear tracks were confirmed nearby; the city and the hunters' association have set two box traps, conducted patrols, and posted warning signs.
Seki 池尻, Gifu
Peak activity at 11:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 10 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Gifu 三輪, Gifu; the location sits about 98.1 km from the start of the route and 3.8 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 11:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 205 km route from Chubu Centrair International Airport to Takayama Castle crosses Aichi and Gifu. Over the past 30 days, 10 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 5 days ago near Gifu 三輪, Gifu; the location sits about 98.1 km from the start of the route and 3.8 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Takayama, Gifu, sitting about 182.2 km from the start and 234 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
