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This 440 km route runs from Zoorasia to Minamiuonuma, passing through Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Tokyo, and Yamanashi. In the past 30 days, 107 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 34 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.
12 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Tokyo, Yamanashi.
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
Size: Juvenile
Ina Nakanohara, Nagano
Size: adult
Okaya Minato, Nagano
In the forests of Ina City (Hirasawa and Nishiminowa), Asiatic black bears were found caught in traps early on the morning of the 20th. In Hirasawa, a roughly 9-year-old female and a nearby cub were captured; in Nishiminowa Fukiage, a roughly 9-year-old female was trapped but the cub escaped. The three captured bears were handled according to prefectural policy.
Ina Masumigaoka, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Kyushiojiri, 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
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
Aikawa Hanbara, Kanagawa
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
At around 01:35 on May 8, 2026, a truck driver traveling on National Route 358 in Nakabata-cho, Nakado district, Kofu City, spotted a bear-like animal about 1 m long on the road. The man reported it to the police, and the city conducted patrols and issued warnings to residents via disaster prevention radio.
Kōfu Nakabatakecho, Yamanashi
A suspected bear about 1 meter long was sighted on a major bend of a national road near "右左口の里" in Kofu City. The man who saw it reported to the police, and the city conducted patrols and warned residents via disaster radio.
Kōfu Nakabatakecho, Yamanashi
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
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
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
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
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
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano
Size: Adult
Iiyama Toyoda, Nagano
Moved from Kamagawa, passed through rice fields, and headed toward the mountains.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Around 10:30 on 2026-05-25, a bear was sighted in Shigechi, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Size: Unknown
Sakae Toyosakae, Nagano
Size: Juvenile
Ina Nakanohara, 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
Size: adult (fully grown)
Azumino 明科光, 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
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
At around 06:45 on May 21, 2026, a bear was sighted in the Mizusawa No.3 area of Tokamachi City near Echigo-Mizusawa Station; it crossed National Route 117 and headed toward the Shinano River. A warning was issued advising people to avoid forests and thick grass nearby.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Crossed National Route 117 near Echigo-Mizusawa Station and moved toward the Shinano River.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Size: Unknown
Matsumoto Namiyanagi, Nagano
At around 09:50 on May 20, footprints of a bear were found in a field near the Takasu Ground in the Obara settlement, Tokamachi City. The city is urging nearby residents and agricultural workers to exercise caution.
Tokamachi, Niigata
Bear tracks sighted; trail indicates movement toward the southeast.
Tokamachi, Niigata
In the forests of Ina City (Hirasawa and Nishiminowa), Asiatic black bears were found caught in traps early on the morning of the 20th. In Hirasawa, a roughly 9-year-old female and a nearby cub were captured; in Nishiminowa Fukiage, a roughly 9-year-old female was trapped but the cub escaped. The three captured bears were handled according to prefectural policy.
Ina Masumigaoka, Nagano
In Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, bear sightings had been occurring near urban areas and schools; on the morning of the 20th one bear was found in the Yashiro area and was culled. The city reported sightings in Yashiro and Awasa districts since the afternoon of the 19th.
Chikuma Yashiro, Nagano
On May 20 at around 07:30, Chikuma City captured one Asiatic black bear (male adult, 1.3–1.5 m long, 78.5 kg) on a sandbar of the Sano River between Inariyama and Hachiman; local hunters culled the bear at the city's request. It is believed to be the same individual that was sighted multiple times in the city center on the 19th; no injuries were reported.
Chikuma Inariyama, Nagano
In Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, on the morning of May 20, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was found; at around 07:30 prefectural bear-response personnel captured it with a tranquilizer gun and it was subsequently culled by a hunters' association. A passerby reported seeing a bear just after 05:30 along National Route 18 near Sakurado, and the animal found along the Sano River in the Yahata area is believed to be the same individual repeatedly sighted since the previous day.
Chikuma Ussawa, Nagano
On the morning of May 20, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was found in the Sano River flowing between Yawata and Inariyama in Chikuma City; a member of the hunters' association used a tranquilizer gun to capture and euthanize it around 7:30 AM. Sightings had been reported repeatedly in the city since May 19.
Chikuma Yawata, Nagano
Around 07:30 on the 20th, a male bear found on the riverbank of Sanogawa in the Inariyama area of Chikuma City was subdued with a tranquilizer gun, captured and subsequently euthanized. The bear weighed 78.5 kg, and the city believes it is the same individual that had been sighted repeatedly in urban areas since the 19th.
Chikuma Yashiro, Nagano
On the morning of May 20, an adult male bear was tranquilized, captured, and euthanized on a sandbar in the Sano River in Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture. The bear weighed 78.5 kg and measured about 1.3–1.5 m; its stomach was reported empty, and the city believes it is the same individual linked to multiple sightings in the urban area since May 19.
Chikuma Inariyama, Nagano
Just after 5:30 AM on the 20th, a passerby spotted a bear near Habu Junior High School in Sakurado, Chikuma City. Shortly after 7:30 AM, prefectural bear-response personnel found, captured, and euthanized one bear on the riverbank in Inariyama, Chikuma City; there were no injuries.
Chikuma Imojiya, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Matsumoto Kotobuki-shirasebuchi, Nagano
Size: adult
Shiojiri Hirooka-Kataishi, Nagano
Size: adult (fully grown)
Iiyama Minamimachi, Nagano
Around 2 PM on May 20, a bear was sighted in Sasaga, Matsumoto City, Nagano.
Matsumoto, Nagano
On the afternoon of May 19 in Chikuma City (Awasa area), a bear estimated at about 1 meter long was repeatedly sighted in the urban area; a security camera captured it crossing a road and running away at around 13:20. The city and police searched the area but did not find the animal, and nearby elementary schools implemented precautions such as parent pick-ups and cancelling after-school activities.
Chikuma Awasa, Nagano
On the afternoon of May 19, 2026, a single bear about 1 meter long was sighted in urban areas of Chikuma City, Nagano Prefecture, around Yashiro's Susuki Suijinsha (Susukigi Shrine), along Route 18, and in a supermarket parking lot. Police and the city patrolled and warned residents; nearby elementary and middle schools asked parents to pick up children and suspended after-school club activities and conducted group dismissals. No human injuries were reported.
Chikuma Awasa, 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
Size: Adult
Nagano Matsushiromachi-Higashijo, Nagano
A staff member discovered bear tracks in a rice paddy.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Size: Adult
Suzaka, Nagano
Size: juvenile
Takayama, Nagano
Size: Adult
Takayama, 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: Unknown
Nozawaonsen Maezaka, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Kijimadaira Ogo, Nagano
Size: Adult (fully grown)
Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano
Size: Adult
Iizuna Kurai, Nagano
Walking up to the Aketaki trail in the coniferous part of the forest, i heard the rustling noises of something moving away from me but saw nothing. This was about 3pm. On the way down in the same location I heard the same noises. I looked up and saw 2 dark outlines of animals, both sat on their hind legs looking at me, about 50m higher up. I backed away and continued walking and they didn't follow. I'm 90% sure it was 2 bears, a mother and a cub, but I didn't wait around to take photos!
Nozawaonsen Toyosato, Nagano
Observed one bear approximately 1.5 meters in body length.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Kakizawa, Nagano
Shortly after 17:00 on May 11, 2026, two bears about 1 meter long were sighted beside a town road in Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town. The sighting was reported about 100 meters from Takizawa Park and very close to residences, according to the Minamiuonuma police.
Yuzawa, Niigata
Size: Unknown
Nozawaonsen Maezaka, Nagano
Size: adult (fully grown)
Iiyama Toyoda, Nagano
Size: unknown
Sakae Toyosakae, Nagano
Size: Adult
Azumino 明科光, Nagano
Size: Adult
Azumino 明科中川手, Nagano
Size: Juvenile
Matsumoto Kariyaharamachi, Nagano
Size: Juvenile
Chikuhoku, Nagano
One adult bear, probably a male
Nozawaonsen Toyosato, Nagano
Size: Adult
Iiyama Tokisato, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Nozawaonsen Toyosato, Nagano
Size: Adult
Matsumoto Gojo, Nagano
Size: Adult
Iiyama Hachisu, Nagano
A resident sighted one bear approximately 1.0 m in body length.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
A resident spotted one bear about 1.0 m in body length near a reservoir.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
On the morning of the 3rd, a single bear about 1 m long was sighted in Izumimyoji, Minamiuonuma City; a report said the bear was walking north around a pond in the fields at about 10:00 AM. The sighting location was about 150 m from houses, and the police are coordinating with the city to issue notices and conduct patrols.
Minamiuonuma, Niigata
Size: adult
Iiyama, Nagano
Size: juvenile
Sakae Toyosakae, Nagano
Size: Adult
Iiyama Asahi, 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
At around 00:40 on April 29, a single bear approximately 1.5 meters long was spotted on the road in Higashiterao, Matsushiro, Nagano City; a passing car honked its horn and the bear ran away, according to a report. Police searched the area but did not find the animal and have urged local residents to be cautious.
Nagano Matsushiromachi-Higashiterao, Nagano
Size: adult (fully grown)
Iiyama Hachisu, Nagano
Size: adult
Nagano Matsushiromachi-Johoku, Nagano
Peak activity at 10:00 with 9 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
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In the past 30 days, 107 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 34 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 440 km route runs from Zoorasia to Minamiuonuma, passing through Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Tokyo, and Yamanashi. In the past 30 days, 107 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 34 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.
