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This 737 km route runs from Yamanaka Castle to Sakura Castle, passing through Shizuoka, Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Yamanashi, Chiba, and Kanagawa. In the past 30 days, 75 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 21 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
24 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Shizuoka, Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Yamanashi, Chiba, Kanagawa.
At approximately 6:00 PM on May 22, 2026 (Reiwa 8), there was a sighting of an animal believed to be a bear in the river near Matsueda Bridge in Narahara-machi, Hachioji City.
Hachioji Yotsuyamachi, Tokyo
Around 6:00 PM on 2026-05-22, an animal believed to be a bear was sighted in Naranohara-cho, Hachioji City, Tokyo.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Shimoonkata-cho), Tokyo, what appears to be a parent and cub of an Asian black bear were photographed on 2026-05-17 at 18:35. There are no reports of injuries or damage.
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Kamiongatamachi), Tokyo, a sensor camera installed by a resident captured two Asian black bears (believed to be a mother and cub) at around 18:35 on May 17. The city set box traps near the site and warned that mother bears can become aggressive when protecting their cubs.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
I heard the rustling of two bears slowly moving through the woods as they searched for food. Then one of the bears noticed us from this gap, and the two of them bounded away.
Sagamihara, Kanagawa
A mature Asian black bear over 1 meter long appeared near houses in Motohachioji, Hachioji City, Tokyo. It was reported that the bear may have come via the Tama River riverbank.
Hachioji, Tokyo
I saw a young black bear on the old Tokaido road on my way to Hakone, it fled in the wood to the east when it noticed my presence. I did not take a photo because I hurried to leave the road as fast as possible.
Kannami, Shizuoka
Aikawa Hanbara, Kanagawa
Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, reported a bear sighting on the Echizen-dake mountain trail near Uma-no-se and the Miharashi-dai viewing platform, about 300 meters toward the summit, and is urging hikers to be cautious.
Mishima 佐野, Shizuoka
On May 10, 2026, a moon bear over 1 meter long was observed near traps and a camera in a grove in Motohachioji-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo, and the city plans to set a box trap for capture.
Hachioji, Tokyo
The trail from Mount Kyogatake to Hansobo bus stop ends and becomes a forest road along the river. On the far bank of the river, a small, very black object—likely a cub—noticed the sound of my bell and ran up the bank, fleeing.
Aikawa Tashiro, Kanagawa
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM, a bear (estimated body length 150 centimeters) was sighted in a grove of mixed trees in Motohachioji-machi 2-chome, Hachioji City, Tokyo.
Hachioji Moto-Hachiojimachi 2-chome, Tokyo
In a stand of trees south of Shiroyama Elementary in Moto-Hachioji 2-chome, Hachioji City, a single adult Asiatic black bear over 1 meter long was captured on a sensor camera at around 20:45 on April 29. The city says no damage has been confirmed, has warned residents, and is taking measures including installing a live-capture box trap.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Around 20:45 on April 29, 2026, a camera set up by a resident captured an adult Asian black bear (over 1 meter) in the grove south of Shiroyama Elementary School (Motohachioji-cho 2), Hachioji, Tokyo. The city is coordinating with the Metropolitan Police to warn residents and plans to install a box trap; as of May 11 no damage had been confirmed.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
A single adult Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) over 1.0 m was captured on a sensor camera in a grove in Motohachioji 2-chome, Hachioji City, Tokyo, on April 29 at about 20:15. No human injuries or further sightings have been reported; the city has set a live box trap near the site and is maintaining vigilance.
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Moto-Hachioji), Tokyo, at around 20:15 on April 29, a moon bear (over 1 meter long) was captured on a sensor camera approaching bait in a trap set for wild boar. No injuries have been reported, and the city plans to install a live capture box trap nearby under the nuisance wildlife capture permit.
Hachioji, Tokyo
On April 29 a video was recorded in Motohachioji-cho 2-chome, Hachioji City, showing an animal believed to be an Asian black bear over 1 m in length. The city, working with relevant agencies, is collecting sighting reports and conducting on-site investigations; no new sightings or damage reports have been confirmed since April 29, and authorities remain on alert for safety.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Around 12:30 on 2026-05-24, an animal believed to be a bear was sighted in Yokozawa, Akiruno City.
Akiruno Yokosawa, Tokyo
At approximately 6:00 PM on May 22, 2026 (Reiwa 8), there was a sighting of an animal believed to be a bear in the river near Matsueda Bridge in Narahara-machi, Hachioji City.
Hachioji Yotsuyamachi, Tokyo
Around 6:00 PM on 2026-05-22, an animal believed to be a bear was sighted in Naranohara-cho, Hachioji City, Tokyo.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Shimoonkata-cho), Tokyo, what appears to be a parent and cub of an Asian black bear were photographed on 2026-05-17 at 18:35. There are no reports of injuries or damage.
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Kamiongatamachi), Tokyo, a sensor camera installed by a resident captured two Asian black bears (believed to be a mother and cub) at around 18:35 on May 17. The city set box traps near the site and warned that mother bears can become aggressive when protecting their cubs.
Hachioji, Tokyo
At approximately 5:30 a.m. on May 17, there was a report of an animal believed to be a bear in the vicinity of 825, Kabecho 1-chome, Ome City.
Ōme Kabemachi, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
A mature Asian black bear over 1 meter long appeared near houses in Motohachioji, Hachioji City, Tokyo. It was reported that the bear may have come via the Tama River riverbank.
Hachioji, Tokyo
On May 10, 2026, a moon bear over 1 meter long was observed near traps and a camera in a grove in Motohachioji-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo, and the city plans to set a box trap for capture.
Hachioji, Tokyo
According to the Saitama Prefectural Police, around 16:00 on April 30, 2026, a bear-like animal about 60–70 cm long was sighted in Misugidai 1-chome, Hannō City. The area includes schools, restaurants, parks and tourist spots, and police are urging people to prioritize their safety.
Hanno 大字矢颪, Saitama
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM, a bear (estimated body length 150 centimeters) was sighted in a grove of mixed trees in Motohachioji-machi 2-chome, Hachioji City, Tokyo.
Hachioji Moto-Hachiojimachi 2-chome, Tokyo
In a stand of trees south of Shiroyama Elementary in Moto-Hachioji 2-chome, Hachioji City, a single adult Asiatic black bear over 1 meter long was captured on a sensor camera at around 20:45 on April 29. The city says no damage has been confirmed, has warned residents, and is taking measures including installing a live-capture box trap.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Around 20:45 on April 29, 2026, a camera set up by a resident captured an adult Asian black bear (over 1 meter) in the grove south of Shiroyama Elementary School (Motohachioji-cho 2), Hachioji, Tokyo. The city is coordinating with the Metropolitan Police to warn residents and plans to install a box trap; as of May 11 no damage had been confirmed.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
A single adult Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) over 1.0 m was captured on a sensor camera in a grove in Motohachioji 2-chome, Hachioji City, Tokyo, on April 29 at about 20:15. No human injuries or further sightings have been reported; the city has set a live box trap near the site and is maintaining vigilance.
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Moto-Hachioji), Tokyo, at around 20:15 on April 29, a moon bear (over 1 meter long) was captured on a sensor camera approaching bait in a trap set for wild boar. No injuries have been reported, and the city plans to install a live capture box trap nearby under the nuisance wildlife capture permit.
Hachioji, Tokyo
On April 29 a video was recorded in Motohachioji-cho 2-chome, Hachioji City, showing an animal believed to be an Asian black bear over 1 m in length. The city, working with relevant agencies, is collecting sighting reports and conducting on-site investigations; no new sightings or damage reports have been confirmed since April 29, and authorities remain on alert for safety.
Hachioji, Tokyo
At around 04:40 on May 20, 2026, one presumed Asiatic black bear was sighted near the riverbank north of Watarase Bridge in Tori 4-chome, Ashikaga City. The city also reported a related incident on May 10 in Omata Town where an approximately 100 kg bear was mistakenly caught in a trap and culled.
Ashikaga 南町, Tochigi
At around 08:10 on May 18, 2026, a presumed Asiatic black bear was sighted near the underside of the Kita-Kanto Expressway overpass in Isohe-cho, Ashikaga City. The site is along the Watarase River about 1 km south of Yamamae Station (JR Ryomo Line), near Ashikaga Red Cross Hospital.
Ashikaga 五十部町, Tochigi
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Maebashi 石倉町, Gunma
Ueda, Nagano
Tomioka 妙義町諸戸, Gunma
A black bear was standing on all four paws at the roadside.
Karuizawa, Nagano
Around 7:30 a.m. on the 16th, a resident walking in the Itopia Komoro Kogen villa area in Okubo, Komoro City, Nagano Prefecture, reported seeing one adult bear about 1 meter long and called the police. Officers arrived but the bear had already left; no further sightings or damage have been confirmed and the police are warning local residents.
Komoro Okubo, Nagano
Size: Adult
Karuizawa, Nagano
It was a cub about 1 meter long. It immediately went off to the left and disappeared from view. I turned back.
Annaka, Gunma
It was watching us from a distance along the Apt Trail.
Annaka, Gunma
Annaka 松井田町五料, Gunma
One bear was captured with a tranquilizer gun at Nanbu Park in Matsumoto City.
Matsumoto Yoshino, Nagano
One bear was caught on a company security camera in Hiratahigashi, Matsumoto City.
Matsumoto Ichiba, Nagano
On 2026-05-22 before 08:00, a bear was reported in a yard in Kotobuki-kita, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.
Matsumoto Ichiba, Nagano
Size: Adult
Matsumoto Yoshino, Nagano
One bear was seen in Nambu Park in Matsumoto, Nagano, stayed on a tree for about an hour, and was captured with a tranquilizer gun.
Matsumoto Yoshino, Nagano
Size: Adult (fully grown)
Azumino 豊科田沢, Nagano
Around 07:00 on May 21, 2026, one bear was sighted in a residential area near the Kobo-yama kofun in Namiyanagi, Matsumoto City. Namiyanagi Elementary School was closed temporarily and 54 pupils who had already arrived were handed over to their guardians. Police and municipal authorities searched the area but did not find the bear; footprints believed to be from a bear were found in a nearby field. No human injuries were reported.
Matsumoto Namiyanagi, Nagano
A resident reported seeing a bear in Nariai, Matsumoto City, and called 110.
Matsumoto Namiyanagi, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Matsumoto Namiyanagi, Nagano
Size: Adult
Ueda Nogura, Nagano
Size: Juvenile
Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano
One bear was captured with a tranquilizer gun at Nanbu Park in Matsumoto City.
Matsumoto Yoshino, Nagano
One bear was caught on a company security camera in Hiratahigashi, Matsumoto City.
Matsumoto Ichiba, Nagano
On 2026-05-22 before 08:00, a bear was reported in a yard in Kotobuki-kita, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.
Matsumoto Ichiba, Nagano
Size: Adult
Matsumoto Yoshino, Nagano
A bear was sighted around 7:30 a.m. in a residential area of Kotobuki-kita 8, Matsumoto City.
Matsumoto Kotobuki-toyooka, Nagano
One bear was seen in Nambu Park in Matsumoto, Nagano, stayed on a tree for about an hour, and was captured with a tranquilizer gun.
Matsumoto Yoshino, Nagano
Size: adult
Okaya Minato, Nagano
Around 07:00 on May 21, 2026, one bear was sighted in a residential area near the Kobo-yama kofun in Namiyanagi, Matsumoto City. Namiyanagi Elementary School was closed temporarily and 54 pupils who had already arrived were handed over to their guardians. Police and municipal authorities searched the area but did not find the bear; footprints believed to be from a bear were found in a nearby field. No human injuries were reported.
Matsumoto Namiyanagi, Nagano
A resident reported seeing a bear in Nariai, Matsumoto City, and called 110.
Matsumoto Namiyanagi, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Matsumoto Namiyanagi, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Matsumoto Kotobuki-shirasebuchi, Nagano
Size: adult
Shiojiri Hirooka-Kataishi, Nagano
Around 2 PM on May 20, a bear was sighted in Sasaga, Matsumoto City, Nagano.
Matsumoto, Nagano
Size: Adult (fully grown)
Shiojiri Daimon-hachibancho, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Kyushiojiri, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Daimon-hachibancho, Nagano
Size: juvenile
Shiojiri Daimon-hachibancho, Nagano
Around 18:00 on May 15, 2026, a member of the local hunting association reported to the city hall that they had sighted one adult bear about 1.5 meters long in Soga, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Police arrived at the scene but the bear had already left; they are patrolling the area and warning residents.
Shiojiri Daimon, Nagano
Size: Adult (fully grown)
Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Kakizawa, Nagano
On May 1, 2026 in Minowa Town, Nagano Prefecture, a "zoning safety inspection" was held in the rain to separate bear habitat from human living areas; about 20 people including residents, police, and the hunters' association checked visibility around the boundary. The town has installed grass-cutting measures and electric fences at the boundary, and reports that since starting zoning in June 2025 bear sightings have decreased and no attacks on people have occurred.
Minowa, Nagano
Size: Adult
Fujimi, Nagano
Size: Adult
Fujimi, Nagano
Around noon on 2026-05-25, a bear was sighted in Fujimi, Fujimi Town, Nagano Prefecture.
Fujimi, Nagano
At around 20:40 on May 17, 2026, a single bear about 50 cm long was sighted in a residential area about 60 meters south of Kimii-chi Nursery in Nakasu, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Police arrived but the bear had already left; police and city officials patrolled the area the next morning and warned residents, and no damage has been confirmed.
Suwa Nakasu, Nagano
Around 10:30 on May 4, 2026, a single bear about 1.10 m long appeared at a residence with a vegetable stand in the highland known as "Hoshifuru-sato" in Hara Village, Nagano. It was captured with a tranquilizer gun shortly before 14:00.
Hara, Nagano
Around 10:20 on May 4, a bear about 1.0–1.1 m long was sighted near the restaurant grounds in Nakashinden, Haramura (Suwa District), Nagano Prefecture; police and hunters responded. In the afternoon it was immobilized with a dart gun, captured and subsequently euthanized by the village authorities; no injuries or property damage were reported.
Hara, Nagano
At around 10:20 on May 4, 2026, a single adult bear (about 1.1 m long, approximately 45 kg) was sighted on the grounds of a restaurant/residence and nearby house in Shinmida, Hara Village, Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture. Police, hunting association members and village staff responded and the bear was sedated with a tranquilizer gun and captured at about 13:40; it was subsequently euthanized. No injuries or damage to buildings were reported.
Hara, Nagano
On May 4 in Hara Village, Nagano Prefecture, a bear (approximately 1.10 m in length) seen on the premises of a restaurant was sedated with a tranquilizer gun by police and hunting association members, captured, and euthanized. Reports say the bear had moved toward a nearby vegetable direct-sales stall.
Hara, Nagano
Near the Chuo Expressway Suwa-Minami interchange in Hara village, a bear was seen on a home's premises after 10:00 AM and was captured with a tranquilizer gun about four hours later on another home's grounds. The animal, about 1.1 meters long and believed to be a young individual, had repeatedly raided nearby beehives and was culled by the village after capture. No injuries were reported.
Fujimi, Nagano
Around 14:30 on April 30, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long entered the garage of Restaurant Petika in Hara village, Nagano Prefecture, destroyed a beehive box kept years earlier and left droppings. The bear got briefly caught in a garden net, freed itself and fled into the woods; the village set two box traps.
Hara, Nagano
On April 30 at around 14:30, the owner of a restaurant near the Misayama signal intersection in Hara Village reported seeing a roughly 1-meter bear in the garage. Village staff, police and hunting association members arrived but the bear had already left; footprints and droppings were found nearby, and no damage has been confirmed.
Hara, Nagano
Size: adult
Hara, Nagano
At approximately 6:00 PM on May 22, 2026 (Reiwa 8), there was a sighting of an animal believed to be a bear in the river near Matsueda Bridge in Narahara-machi, Hachioji City.
Hachioji Yotsuyamachi, Tokyo
Around 6:00 PM on 2026-05-22, an animal believed to be a bear was sighted in Naranohara-cho, Hachioji City, Tokyo.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Shimoonkata-cho), Tokyo, what appears to be a parent and cub of an Asian black bear were photographed on 2026-05-17 at 18:35. There are no reports of injuries or damage.
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Kamiongatamachi), Tokyo, a sensor camera installed by a resident captured two Asian black bears (believed to be a mother and cub) at around 18:35 on May 17. The city set box traps near the site and warned that mother bears can become aggressive when protecting their cubs.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
A mature Asian black bear over 1 meter long appeared near houses in Motohachioji, Hachioji City, Tokyo. It was reported that the bear may have come via the Tama River riverbank.
Hachioji, Tokyo
On May 10, 2026, a moon bear over 1 meter long was observed near traps and a camera in a grove in Motohachioji-cho, Hachioji, Tokyo, and the city plans to set a box trap for capture.
Hachioji, Tokyo
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at approximately 9:00 PM, a bear (estimated body length 150 centimeters) was sighted in a grove of mixed trees in Motohachioji-machi 2-chome, Hachioji City, Tokyo.
Hachioji Moto-Hachiojimachi 2-chome, Tokyo
In a stand of trees south of Shiroyama Elementary in Moto-Hachioji 2-chome, Hachioji City, a single adult Asiatic black bear over 1 meter long was captured on a sensor camera at around 20:45 on April 29. The city says no damage has been confirmed, has warned residents, and is taking measures including installing a live-capture box trap.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Around 20:45 on April 29, 2026, a camera set up by a resident captured an adult Asian black bear (over 1 meter) in the grove south of Shiroyama Elementary School (Motohachioji-cho 2), Hachioji, Tokyo. The city is coordinating with the Metropolitan Police to warn residents and plans to install a box trap; as of May 11 no damage had been confirmed.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Hachioji, Tokyo
A single adult Asian black bear (Tsukinowaguma) over 1.0 m was captured on a sensor camera in a grove in Motohachioji 2-chome, Hachioji City, Tokyo, on April 29 at about 20:15. No human injuries or further sightings have been reported; the city has set a live box trap near the site and is maintaining vigilance.
Hachioji, Tokyo
In Hachioji (Moto-Hachioji), Tokyo, at around 20:15 on April 29, a moon bear (over 1 meter long) was captured on a sensor camera approaching bait in a trap set for wild boar. No injuries have been reported, and the city plans to install a live capture box trap nearby under the nuisance wildlife capture permit.
Hachioji, Tokyo
On April 29 a video was recorded in Motohachioji-cho 2-chome, Hachioji City, showing an animal believed to be an Asian black bear over 1 m in length. The city, working with relevant agencies, is collecting sighting reports and conducting on-site investigations; no new sightings or damage reports have been confirmed since April 29, and authorities remain on alert for safety.
Hachioji, Tokyo
Peak activity at 10:00 with 7 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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In the past 30 days, 75 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 21 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 10:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 737 km route runs from Yamanaka Castle to Sakura Castle, passing through Shizuoka, Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Yamanashi, Chiba, and Kanagawa. In the past 30 days, 75 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 21 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
