This 81.7 km route from Yokote to Akita Museum of Art crosses Akita. Over the past 30 days, 198 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 49 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Akita, Akita; the location sits about 81.7 km from the start of the route and 4.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Akita, Akita, sitting about 64.8 km from the start and 4 m off the route line.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
[Report] Passing through Sotoasahikawa Anpasu. Came out in front of a car, went through the irrigation channel behind Maruhan Sotoasahikawa, crossed from Akigin Sotoasahikawa branch toward the dentist opposite, entered the grounds of the house behind the dentist, and is believed to still be on that property. Appears to have an injured right front leg and was limping while running. Body length about 1.2 m.
Akita, Akita
Crossed the road toward the north side (the wholesale market side). Body length about 1.2 meters.
Akita, Akita
Posted: Walked along what looked like a waterway/irrigation canal next to the currency exchange
Akita, Akita
Post: About 80 cm. Right front paw injured.
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
It was limping, about 1 meter.
Akita, Akita
Crossed from the southwest to the northeast side of the intersection. Body length 1 m. 10 m from a building.
Akita, Akita
[Post] A bear crossed the new national road near Kusautsugawa.
Akita, Akita
It came out from the farm road and went down the slope toward the Omono River.
Akita, Akita
A police officer driving by witnessed it running across the road from west to east. Body length 1 m. 5 meters from a private house.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
Witnessed by visitors at Gokoku Shrine. Left toward the east side of the shrine. Body length 1.5 m. Distance from buildings unknown.
Akita Terauchi-Ohata, Akita
[Post]
Daisen, Akita
[Post] While driving toward Akita City, I spotted a bear in the rice field beside the road. It appeared to be a cub. It was running toward Route 13. Body length about 1 meter.
Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita
[Post] A machine-like device (a device that plays dog barks to deter bears) was making a lot of noise. When I went to check, there was a bear wandering around the area.
Akita, Akita
A parent and child were playing on a large tree.
Akita, Akita
Observed during a walk. It went up toward the cemetery park.
Akita, Akita
It crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear in the rice field. Body length about 60 cm. It left to the south. Approximately 250 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
While harvesting bamboo shoots, I sighted one bear about 1.2 meters long.
Daisen, Akita
[Post] It ran across the yard and headed toward Kappei.
Akita Arayamatsumigaoka-higashicho, Akita
Sighted bears crossing the prefectural road from south to north. Body lengths: 1.0 m and 70 cm. Distance from the building: 5 m.
Akita Arayakatsuhiramachi, Akita
One bear approximately 1 m (shoulder height) was sighted on the roadway. It left heading east. About 30 m from nearby buildings.
Akita, Akita
A bear about one meter long came down the mountain slope.
Akita, Akita
A young bear was crossing the road.
Akita, Akita
[Post] [No description of the situation]
Yokote Yanagida, Akita
[Post] In a fallow rice field, one adult and two cubs were eating something.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While resting in the car, I spotted a bear heading toward the municipal baseball stadium. [Yokote City Agriculture and Forestry Maintenance Division note] The location information is clearly incorrect, so the point on the map is provisional. It is unknown whether this is the old Yokote Municipal Stadium in Yokote Park or another municipal stadium.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
A city employee on patrol spotted the bear. The bear was wandering on a road in the park and noticed the employee about 60 meters away, but remained standing facing them for a while without moving, so the employee got into a vehicle and approached the bear, at which point it entered the woods in the park. Body length about 1 meter.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
A police officer on patrol spotted a bear near the restrooms in Ōtori Park. The bear went down the slope once but then returned and entered the woods inside Ōtori Park. Its body length is about 1 meter.
Yokote Shinzaka-cho, Akita
Sighted a bear crossing the Ōtorii Bridge near Asakura Elementary School. Body length about 1 m.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
A single bear about 1 m in body length was sighted in the rice field north of the Seven-Eleven Yokote Hachiman store. The distance to the nearest house is about 60 m.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
It moved from the river area toward the urban area.
Yokote Yawata, Akita
At around 07:30 on the 14th, an approximately 1-meter-long bear was sighted in a rice field in 横手市八幡字十二柳, Akita Prefecture by an elderly man in his 80s who was walking nearby. According to the Yokote Police, the sighting location is about 100 meters from the nearest house, and the police are urging residents to be cautious.
Yokote Shizuka-machi, Akita
Observed a bear crossing National Route 13 from east to west. The bear then entered the woods on the west side. Distance to the nearest house was about 10 meters. The bear's body length was 1 to 1.5 meters.
Yokote 杉目, Akita
A bear was in the parking space of a shop. After that, it went up the slope that leads to the park on top of the mountain.
Akita, Akita
[Report] A bear (1 m) crossed the rice field and climbed the mountain to the north along the farm road.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1.2 meters long was occupying the forest road. It did not run away when we shouted loudly; when we rang a bell it fled into the woodland on the north side.
Daisen Engyoji, Akita
[Post] Strolling through a fallow rice field
Akita, Akita
A bear (1 m) was sighted near a residential property. It then left toward the woods to the east. Distance to the house: 5 m.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear about 50 cm long near the Kozawa Mini Rice Center. It climbed up the slope behind and fled into the nearby woods.
Daisen Osawagosyuku, Akita
[Post] Crossing the national highway
Daisen Kyowa-Sakai, Akita
Attempted to cross the Yokoyama-Kanaashi line, but there were many cars, and it kept coming in and out of the bushes.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving on the prefectural road, I sighted a bear about 1.2 meters long in a rice field beside the road. Before I could point my camera, the bear noticed the vehicle and fled to the woodland to the southeast.
Daisen Takajo, Akita
A single bear about one meter long left the area, moving from near the temple across the rice fields toward the mountains.
Daisen Kushoda, Akita
A young bear was sighted near the field. It then walked away into the woods to the east. It was 5 meters from a house.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed one bear crossing the national road from the rice fields toward the mountains. Body length approximately 1 m. About 100 m from a house.
Daisen Kitanome, Akita
Spotted a bear about 0.5 m in size on the grounds north of the elementary school. Direction of travel unknown. 50 m from the building.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
Around 15:45 on May 11, 2026, a male elementary school student spotted a bear approximately 50 cm long in a grassland in Shōgunno Minami 1-chome, Akita City. The location is about 50 meters from Takashimizu Elementary School, and the local police station has advised residents to be cautious.
Akita Terauchi-Koya, Akita
Crossed the national highway and left toward the north. Body length approximately 1.5 m. About 50 m from a house.
Daisen Kyowa-Mineyoshikawa, Akita
A single bear was observed on private residential property. Body length approximately 1 m, about 20 m from the house. After that it passed through a rice field and headed toward the Showa Concrete direction.
Daisen Kushoda, Akita
[Post] Climbed onto the guardrail
Daisen Takajo, Akita
Ran through from the Ushi-no-sawa area toward the Sugi-sawa area.
Akita Koyoaoyagicho, Akita
While driving near Autoland Akita, observed one bear. It left toward the mountains. Body length about 1.5 m.
Daisen Kyowa-Funesawa, Akita
[Report] Probably a cub. It left the park and ran south.
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
[Post]
Akita Shimokitate-Samukawa, Akita
[Post] Standing by the guardrail on the downhill side of the expressway. Body length approx. 1.0 m.
Akita, Akita
After receiving a report, the Yokote City Office Forestry and Agricultural Maintenance Division conducted an on-site inspection. They confirmed multiple footprints in the field measuring at least 15 cm in length. From the footprints, the animal is believed to be an adult bear with a body length of 1.0 to 1.5 meters. During a surrounding patrol they found several locations where apples had been discarded, confirming signs that bears had been attracted to the area.
Yokote 安本, Akita
Bear tracks believed to be from an adult were found in a field within the settlement. The tracks were heading north through the field, but their path beyond that point could not be confirmed.
Yokote 十文字町仁井田, Akita
Posted: Found in the park while walking. Based on its size, it appears to be a cub.
Akita, Akita
An adult bear was seen running near the entrance to the Nishitado settlement.
Daisen, Akita
While driving on the highway's outbound lane about 2 km from Kawabe JCT toward Daisen City, two bears were observed from a vehicle (1.0 m and 0.7 m). They ran off toward the left embankment.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Crossing the road
Daisen, Akita
There was a bear near the rice field. Afterwards, it went into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1.2 m long was in the south-side yard of the house and left heading east.
Daisen Iida, Akita
Spotted a bear coming down from the west road toward Iida IC. It left heading south. Body length about 1 m.
Daisen Iida, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long was sitting on the riverbank.
Daisen Fujiki, Akita
On 2026-05-06, one bear was captured at a supermarket in Akita City.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Around 20:50 on the 5th, a man in his teens resting in a nearby park spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing a municipal road in Akita City's Niida Kiriage. According to the Akita Central Police Station, the bear was about 10 meters from a house and about 400 meters from Niida Elementary School; the station has warned residents to be cautious.
Akita, Akita
Sighted a bear on the road. Body length 1 m. Departed toward the rice fields to the east. 10 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Footprints found in the field.
Misato 金沢西根, Akita
[Correction] While driving on Prefectural Route 36, a bear approximately 1 m in length was sighted near Ōmori Purification Center. The bear departed heading west. Distance to the nearest house: about 400 m. (Administrator: 10:50 — Regarding the report of a sighting in Oomori-machi Ōnakajima, Yokote City, this corrects an error in the location information.)
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
Sighted at Jufukuji. It ran toward the levee.
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
It was standing by the guardrail beside the highway.
Akita, Akita
[Post] [No description of situation]
Yokote 阿気, Akita
[Post] [No description of the situation]
Yokote 大森町十日町, Akita
A bear was sighted near the scene. The bear crossed the river and entered the mountains toward the west side of Inagawa Ski Area. Body length approximately 0.8–1.0 m. Police were notified; they patrolled and kept watch at the scene. No damage reported in the surrounding area. The sighting location was about 250 meters from a residence.
Yuzawa 字取上石山, Akita
[Post] (No details provided)
Yokote 増田町戸波, Akita
Was swimming
Akita, Akita
[Post] (No description of the situation)
Yokote Yokote-machi, Akita
Sighted a bear crossing the Yuzawa-Yokote Road eastbound near Yokote JCT (about 500 meters southwest of the tollbooth). Body length approximately 1 m.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
Witnessed a bear about 1.5 m in body length at the guardrail. Direction of departure unknown.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
Spotted a bear crossing the road. It moved south along the side of Takubo Marsh. Body length about 1.5 m.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
Spotted a bear about 1 meter long. It ran off to the west.
Yokote Yasuda, Akita
[Post] (No situation described)
Yokote Ekimae-cho, Akita
An animal believed to be a bear about 1.5 m in length was observed moving around along a route through the drugstore, Komyoji Park, and Yurinoki Street.
Yokote Tanaka-machi, Akita
A creature believed to be a bear about 1.2 m in length was sighted near the Minami (South) Government Building of Yokote City Hall. The animal crossed the road heading east.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
On the morning of the 3rd at around 04:10, a single bear was seen crossing a road near the Yokote City Office Jouri South Branch in Jouri, Yokote City, and about 20 minutes later a bear was also seen at an intersection in Kotobuki-cho. Further sightings occurred near JR Yokote Station, and the last sighting before 07:00 was near a marsh by Fukeodai, after which the bear's whereabouts are unknown; police and the city have issued warnings.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
On the morning of May 3 in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, a bear about 1.2 m long was seen crossing a prefectural road at 04:10, and other bears about 1.5 m long were reported at multiple locations later in the morning. The police are patrolling the area and warning residents to be cautious.
Yokote 1-chome, Akita
[Report] A juvenile bear, estimated to be about 70–80 cm, was in front of my house. It went from the east side of my house toward the north, into the mountains.
Akita, Akita
Sighted a bear in the brush about 200 m north of the bridge. About 50 m from nearby houses.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving on Route 13 from Omagari toward Akita, I saw a bear about 1 m tall under a cherry tree on the left. There were two holes in the embankment on the travel side that appeared to be the bear’s den.
Daisen Kyowa-Sakai, Akita
(Post) Was swimming in the river
Akita Kawashiri-Wakabamachi, Akita
Was wandering around near the embankment of the marsh.
Yokote, Akita
Loitering near the banks of the marsh.
Yokote, Akita
Report: Around 9:20, a bear about 1 m in size was sighted. It crossed the road and left toward the mountain. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Around 9:20 a bear about 1 m tall was sighted. It crossed the road and went off toward the mountains. It was about 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed the bear crossing the road from a residence and moving toward the mountains. Bear size approximately 1 m.
Akita, Akita
Two bear cubs came down from the mountain. The cubs then fled toward the mountain to the south.
Daisen Osawagosyuku, Akita
Before 07:00 on May 1, 2026, a roughly 1-meter bear was spotted in a residential area of Kawabe, Akita City, and Kawabe Junior High asked parents to accompany students home. On April 29, a roughly 1-meter bear was also seen on the north breakwater of Akita Port; managers plan to use firecrackers and loudspeakers as countermeasures when the breakwater is opened.
Akita, Akita
Two bear cubs came down from the mountain. The cubs then fled toward the mountain to the south.
Daisen Osawagosyuku, Akita
A bear about 1 m in size was sighted on the residential property. It left to the north. 3 m from the building.
Akita, Akita
[Post] (No description of situation) *The accuracy of information from 'Kumadas' is unknown, but because this is a high-risk area we are issuing this alert.
Yokote 2-chome, Akita
[Post] A bear was sitting at the side of the Akita Road. When I passed by, it ran off into the mountain on the left.
Akita, Akita
One bear (body length approx. 1–1.2 m) was sighted outside the fence on the north side of Akita Airport. Firecrackers were used and it fled toward the mountain side (Prefectural Central Park side).
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita Arayaasahimachi, Akita
[Report] While driving on the expressway toward Akita City, I spotted one adult bear on the left embankment. It was milling about, as if trying to come down onto the roadway.
Daisen, Akita
[Post] Witnessed while on the highway
Daisen, Akita
While driving on National Route 105 toward Omagari, I sighted a bear about 1.5 m long crossing the road from left to right in front of the car. It headed into the mountains to the southeast and left the area.
Daisen, Akita
Around 10:00 on April 29, 2026, a roughly 1-meter black bear was sighted at a seaside breakwater in Akita City; footage showed it walking while sniffing the ground. A fishing event with many anglers was taking place nearby.
Akita Koyosaiwaicho, Akita
While driving from Kyōwa toward Akita Airport, a bear crossed in front of our car and then entered the woods. A vehicle of people gathering wild plants was parked nearby.
Akita, Akita
On April 29, 2026 shortly after 08:00, a bear was filmed running near a baseball field in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture from inside a bus. Children remained on the bus and avoided the danger.
Daisen Iida, Akita
A bear appeared near a breakwater in Akita City, causing alarm among anglers and participants at a nearby fishing event. Sightings were reported repeatedly in the area, raising local concern.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Sighted one bear on the road in front of the entrance. It left toward the south. Body length 1.0 m. Distance from the residence: 5 m.
Akita Arayawariyamamachi, Akita
While driving from the Honjo direction, it emerged from the brush on the west side and then returned. Body length 1 m. 200 m to the nearest house.
Akita Arayashitakawaramachi, Akita
One bear approximately 1 m in body length was sighted near the south side of Takubono Swamp. The bear then ran west. The distance to the nearest house is about 200 m.
Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita
Climbed the steps of Karasumatsu-yama Shrine toward Atago-yama. An adult bear about 1.5 m in length. Approximately 20 m from a house.
Yokote Kamiuchi-machi, Akita
At around 17:35 on April 27, 2026, a man in his 50s at home spotted a bear approximately 1 meter long on the road in Kaminai-machi, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. The nearest house was about 20 meters away and Yokote Minami Elementary School about 500 meters; the police notified related agencies, patrolled the area by cruiser, and warned residents.
Yokote Kamiuchi-machi, Akita
Observed one bear about 1 m in body length while driving on National Route 105. Distance to the nearest house: 200 m.
Daisen, Akita
[Report] Spotted a bear walking across the river while driving
Daisen Kitanaraoka, Akita
While driving a rental car from the mountain side toward Akita Station, I saw an animal cross about 100 meters ahead. When I passed about 20 meters beside it, I saw a large, light chestnut-colored animal running. Its body was considerably larger than a dog, so I thought it was a bear and was startled, and I drove on.
Akita, Akita
[Report] Spotted a bear crossing the river on my commute
Akita Kawashiri-Shinkawamachi, Akita
While walking the dog, I observed one bear approximately 1 m tall in a fallow rice field. It left heading northwest. It was 30 m from a building.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
Around 18:50 on April 26, 2026, a man in his 40s walking in a rice field in Osumiminami 1-chome, Akita City, saw a bear about 1 meter long walking. The sighting was reported to the Akita Central Police Station.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
[Report] Came up from the old rice field in front of the house onto the road, then returned to the old rice field.
Akita Ushijima, Akita
(Posted) It was crossing the rice field heading toward the mountains.
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita Shimokitate-Torisawa, Akita
It ran toward the mountains. Body length about 1 meter.
Akita, Akita
There were three bears — a mother and two cubs — attempting to cross the road toward the airport. Startled by a car, the cubs couldn’t cross and split to either side of the road. I was surprised to see a mother with cubs at this time of year.
Akita, Akita
One bear was sighted in a rice paddy. Body length 1.0 m. Direction of departure unknown. 100 m south of the community center.
Akita, Akita
On April 25 before 9:00, staff and residents at a nursing home in Akita City spotted a large bear eating grass outside a glass door. The facility secured all exterior windows and closed curtains to protect residents; the bear then moved to the rear of the property and climbed a cliff.
Akita Sanno, Akita
Posted: Spotted while driving. Adult bear. Probably larger than the bears at Omoriyama Zoo.
Akita, Akita
I saw this while driving. A bear was walking in a residential neighborhood. It was an adult. It seemed larger than the bears you see at a zoo.
Akita Higashidori-myoden, Akita
It crossed the road and went up the mountain.
Akita, Akita
On April 25, 2026, a single bear was filmed eating grass inside the grounds of a nursing home in Akita City, seen through a glass door. Employees reported being frightened.
Akita Sanno, Akita
It ran off into the bushes. I heard the sound of it eating something. About 15 meters to the nearest house.
Akita Narayama-Otamachi, Akita
Walked toward the rice fields. Thought to be a cub.
Akita Niida-Konakajima, Akita
A bear over 1 meter tall was walking (was seen walking).
Akita, Akita
A bear about 1 meter long crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
[Posted] Was walking while moving
Yokote 2-chome, Akita
A bear cub approximately 50 cm in length was sighted on the grounds of the Asahi Fureai Center. It ran east along the road in front of the center, and its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.
Yokote Inooka, Akita
[Report] Spotted one bear about 80 cm. Direction of retreat unknown.
Akita, Akita
One bear approximately 80 cm. Bear sighted. Direction of escape unknown. 150 m from building.
Akita, Akita
Spotted one bear cub in the apartment parking lot from the third floor of the apartment building. The bear ran off toward National Route 107.
Yokote 3-chome, Akita
At a parking lot in Asahigaoka, Yokote City, a teenage male spotted one bear about 50 cm long from his home at around 15:40 on April 23. The nearest house was about 20 meters away; the Yokote police are patrolling the area and warning residents.
Yokote 3-chome, Akita
Around 8:40: Ran from the eastern mountain across the rice fields toward Ōsawa River. Stayed in the thicket by the Ōsawa River for a few minutes, then ran back to the mountain. Around 8:55: Similar behavior. Body length about 1.5 m. Appears thin.
Daisen Osawagotera, Akita
[Post]
Akita, Akita
At around 06:30 on April 23, 2026, a man in his 60s spotted a single bear about 1 meter long on a municipal road in Kawabe Wada Okamura, Akita City. The sighting was about 150 meters from Kawabe Elementary School, and police have warned nearby residents to be careful.
Akita, Akita
Report: Sighted one bear measuring 1 meter. Direction of escape unknown.
Akita, Akita
Observed one bear about 0.8 m tall on residential property. Direction of departure unknown. 5.0 m from a house.
Akita, Akita
I was watching the meteor shower when I heard a rustling from the drainage ditch. A large black bear ran by, and what looked like a cub followed. I was startled and called out, and the bear turned and looked back at us. Then it ran off to the south. It appeared to have crossed the road, and it’s possible it’s hiding on someone’s property. Be cautious of your surroundings when going toward the rice fields.
Akita Narayama-Jonanshinmachi, Akita
A bear-like animal was sighted. One bear about 1 m. It moved toward Senshu Park. About 40 m from nearby buildings.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 18:50 on April 22, 2026, a man in his 30s spotted a bear about 1 meter long on a stone wall in Senshu Park in central Akita City. Police arrived but the bear had already disappeared; Meitoku Elementary School was about 40 meters away, and the Akita Central Police urged nearby residents and schools to be cautious.
Akita Senshu-kubotamachi, Akita
[Post] Black animal
Yokote 十文字町十五野新田, Akita
A juvenile bear about 50 cm long was seen in a field. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. Distance to the nearest house: approximately 20 m.
Yokote Akasaka, Akita
At around 17:55 on April 22, 2026, a man in his 40s driving a car spotted a single bear about 50 cm long walking in a field beside the road in Yokote City, Akasaka Aza Aranuma. The nearest house was about 10 meters away, and police have issued a warning.
Yokote Akasaka, Akita
[Report] Spotted near the bushes on the mountainside. When I tried to take a photo from the car, the bear noticed me and hid in the foliage. Body length about one meter.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear about 1.0 m in size in a rice field. It then left heading south. 200 m from a residence.
Akita, Akita
I was walking on flat ground. It disappeared into nearby brush.
Misato, Akita
On April 22, 2026, one bear was sighted in central Akita City, Akita Prefecture. The bear was reported near Meitoku Elementary School and moved off toward Senshu Park.
Akita, Akita
A bear about 70–80 cm long crossed the road.
Akita, Akita
A bear was sighted on the road on the west side of Akita Technical High School's ground. Body length 1.0 m. It left heading west. 30 m from the school ground.
Akita Senshu-kitanomaru, Akita
At around 14:15 on April 21, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the west side of the Akita Technical High School ground in Hodono Hatcho, Akita City. The witness was a female student (middle-school-aged/teen), the bear then moved toward a residential area, and police have been patrolling the area and issuing warnings.
Akita Izumihigashimachi, Akita
Moved west from the Saifuku-ji main hall; body length approximately 1.0 m.
Yokote Hirakamachi-Kamiyoshida, Akita
A single bear was sighted on the municipal road between Yoshida Elementary School and the Yoshida police box. The bear proceeded south toward the Yoshida nursery. Approximately 1 m in body length. About 80 m from the nearest house.
Yokote 平鹿町中吉田, Akita
At around 07:05 on the 21st, a woman in her 40s who was working spotted a bear approximately 1 meter long in Yokote City, Hiraka-cho, Kamiyoshida Aza Tanoue. The sighting occurred on a municipal road between Yoshida Elementary School and the Yoshida police box, about 70 meters from the nearest house; the police increased patrols during school commuting hours and warned residents to be cautious.
Yokote 平鹿町中吉田, Akita
In Akita Prefecture a police officer was reported injured after being attacked by a bear, and a woman's body was found nearby. Sightings of so‑called "spring bears" have surged after hibernation: as of 21 April at 21:00 there were about 200 reports in the prefecture, and experts say bears are waking earlier and many individuals are larger than usual.
Akita Sanno, Akita
I was driving in my car when I saw one (a bear) climbing a tree.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Spotted a bear about 0.8 m tall in the grove in front of the apartment
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
[Post] While driving, I saw what looked like a bear in the Sarutagawa River. It was fairly large.
Akita, Akita
At Kamikitade Elementary School, one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was sighted along the Saruda River to the northeast. It left heading northeast. Distance from the nearest facility: 150 m.
Akita, Akita
[Post] It was in the gap of a car and was looking inside the vehicle.
Akita, Akita
[Report] While driving, I witnessed one running across a rice paddy.
Akita, Akita
While driving, I sighted one bear about 1.0 m in body length on the sidewalk. It left heading southwest. 15 m from the nearest facility.
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
[Post] Running along a narrow path through the rice fields
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
In front of Nice, it was running through the rice fields. Police have been notified.
Akita Yamatedai 1-chome, Akita
Observed one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length in front of the residence on the roadway. It departed heading south. Distance from a house: 3.0 m.
Akita, Akita
[Post]
Akita Kamikitate-Aramaki, Akita
[Report] While driving, I saw a bear on shrine grounds. The bear noticed me and moved toward the mountain. About 1 m in size, 15 m from houses.
Akita Kamikitate-Aramaki, Akita
While driving from the Yuwa area, I spotted a bear about 1.2 m long that had come onto the road and was climbing the embankment beside the road. When I stopped the car, it looked toward us briefly, then, appearing wary, ran away.
Akita, Akita
[Post] While walking the dog, I noticed a bear appearing down below about 1.5 m tall. It was fairly plump.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Inside Hitotsumori Park, from inside a car about 10 meters away, there were people walking and jogging nearby.
Akita, Akita
[Post] Footprints Found
Akita Arayayutakamachi, Akita
[Report] A bear on the road. It fled into a residential garden.
Akita, Akita
One bear approximately 1.0 m in body length was observed on the road in front of a house. It departed to the south. 10 m from the nearest house.
Akita, Akita
Spotted a bear about 0.8 m in size in the woods. It then moved further into the forest; direction of travel unknown. 100 m from buildings.
Akita, Akita
Witnessed a bear in a vacant lot. Size unknown. It left heading north. About 5 meters from a residence.
Akita Niida-Midoricho, Akita
In a residential area of Ushijima Higashi, Akita City, a security camera recorded a bear running across the road at around 05:42 on April 19; about 15 seconds later a pedestrian appeared, creating a near-collision situation. Sightings have increased across the prefecture in April, but no human injuries have been reported so far.
Akita Narayama-Jonanmachi, Akita
On April 19, 2026 at around 05:40, a security camera at a residence in Ushijima Higashi, Akita City captured footage of a bear about 1 meter long walking through a residential area. The same day, a man walking near JR Ugo-Ushijima Station also spotted the bear, and police have urged caution in the Ushijima Higashi area.
Akita Ushijimahigashi 5-chome, Akita
Sighted a bear approximately 0.5 m in size on the road. It left heading north. 5 m from a residence.
Akita Ushijimahigashi 5-chome, Akita
[Post] Entered the parking area of a residence
Akita Osumi 1-chome, Akita
Sighted a bear approximately 1.0 m in size on the road. It departed southeast. 5 m from a house.
Akita Osumi 1-chome, Akita
[Report] Ran through the intersection heading toward the Akita Bank Oroshimachi branch
Akita Barajima 7-chome, Akita
It ran from the riverside toward the residential area.
Akita Barajima 6-chome, Akita
Witnessed a bear moving north from the riverbed area while driving on the road. Size approximately 1.0 m. 30 m from houses.
Akita Barajima 7-chome, Akita
It ran out from the apartment parking lot onto the road, ran in front of my car, and went into the former Jujo Golf Practice Range site.
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
Sighted a bear on the road. Size about 0.8 m. It then walked off to the east. 10 m from a house.
Akita Arayaokawamachi, Akita
While driving, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted near the underside of a bridge. The bear then ran south. It was about 20 meters from a house.
Yokote Hongo-cho, Akita
At around 7:10 a.m. on April 18, 2026, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted on the riverbank at Kamizaike, Maego, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture by a woman in her 40s who was driving. According to the Yokote Police, the nearest house is about 20 meters away, and the police have warned residents to be cautious.
Yokote Uwazaike, Akita
Peak activity at 17:00 with 24 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 198 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 49 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Akita, Akita; the location sits about 81.7 km from the start of the route and 4.5 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 17:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 81.7 km route from Yokote to Akita Museum of Art crosses Akita. Over the past 30 days, 198 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 49 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 10 hours ago near Akita, Akita; the location sits about 81.7 km from the start of the route and 4.5 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Akita, Akita, sitting about 64.8 km from the start and 4 m off the route line. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
