This 154 km route from Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan to Nikko crosses Tokyo, Tochigi, Gunma, and Saitama. Over the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 87.4 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Nikkō 今市本町, Tochigi, sitting about 154.2 km from the start and 1.0 km off the route line.
With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
24 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Tokyo, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama.
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
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
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
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
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
Peak activity at 16:00 with 1 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, 7 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 87.4 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 16:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 154 km route from Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan to Nikko crosses Tokyo, Tochigi, Gunma, and Saitama. Over the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 1 week ago near Sano 高砂町, Tochigi; the location sits about 87.4 km from the start of the route and 3.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Nikkō 今市本町, Tochigi, sitting about 154.2 km from the start and 1.0 km off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
