News Black Bear Mount Iwakami (Kuzakai, Miyako City), Iwate Mar 8, 2026, 02:00 AM

Description

Around 11:00 on March 8, near the 5th station of the Mount Iwakami trail in Kuzakai, Miyako City, a 69-year-old man from Morioka fell waist-deep into a snow hole and was bitten on the left calf by an adult bear inside the hole. The man escaped on his own, and with his female companion they drove the bear off using trekking poles; the companion was uninjured and the man sustained minor injuries (about two weeks to recover).

Note: Official sources provide information in Japanese only. This description has been machine translated for your convenience.

Summary

A hiker who strayed off the trail fell into a snow hole and was bitten on the left calf by an adult bear hiding inside. He managed to get out, and with his companion used trekking poles to drive the bear away and descend; his injuries are minor and his companion was unhurt.

Bear Type

Black Bear

Number of Bears

1

Provider Type

News

Date & Time

Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 02:00 AM

Address

Coordinates

39.670229, 141.372684

Sources