News Black Bear Ashikaga City, Tochigi Nov 15, 2025

Description

In Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, suspected Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) appearances have been reported repeatedly along the Watarase River riverside and near urban areas, with sightings since autumn reaching a record high. No confirming traces that the animals in the city center are bears have been found, and the city is struggling to respond.

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

Summary

Since autumn, Ashikaga City has seen repeated sightings of an animal believed to be an Asiatic black bear along the Watarase River riverside and near the Ashikaga Red Cross Hospital, bringing the yearly number of sightings to a record high. A local man who encountered the animal said it was clearly not a wild boar, while the city struggles to find definitive evidence that the animals seen in the urban area are bears and to decide how to respond.

Bear Type

Black Bear

Number of Bears

1

Provider Type

News

Date & Time

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Address

Coordinates

36.340187, 139.449760

Sources