Obanazawa~Hanamaki 드라이브 루트

Two bears (a mother and a cub) were sighted on the mountain side behind a house. After being seen, they ran toward the mountain behind the temple to the east. Distance from the house: 30 meters. Adult bear length: about 1 meter. Cub length: unknown.

Yuzawa 字荒町, Akita

Two bears—a mother and a cub—were sighted in the Sun Green parking lot. They entered the mountain on the south side. Distance to nearby houses: 10 meters.

Yuzawa 字湯ノ上山, Akita

A bear was sighted in Urakamon 1-chome, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, and was seen moving.

Yuzawa 字湯ノ上山, Akita

Sighted a cub crossing National Route 13 from west to east / Environment: road / Size: young

Shinjo Itsukamachi, Yamagata

On 2026-07-10 in Shimo-Konyu, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, one bear was seen moving.

Kitakami Shimooniyanagi, Iwate

[Post] Not a mother with cubs — two bear cubs were walking toward a house.

Yuzawa 字東赤土山, Akita

Around 9:20 PM on July 9, a bear was sighted in Shinzusho Toisawa, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, and was observed moving.

Yuzawa 字東赤土山, Akita

Observed two bears (parent and cub) near a residence. Body length and subsequent movements are unknown.

Yuzawa 字西愛染沢, Akita

Around 1:15 PM on 2026-07-09, one bear about 1 meter long was sighted by a resident in a residential area of Tokiwadai 3-chome, Kitakami, Iwate.

Kitakami Machibun, Iwate

Was heading east on National Route 13 from the west and entered a cedar forest / Environment: Road / Size: Unknown

Shinjo Torigoe, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in Torigoe, Shinjo City.

Shinjo Torigoe, Yamagata

Environment: Near residential area / Size: Adult

Shinjo Torigoe, Yamagata

Environment: Near residential area / Size: Adult (fully grown)

Obanazawa Nakisawa, Yamagata

A person walking saw one adult bear on a city road in a residential area of Tokiwa-dai 4-chome, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Machibun, Iwate

Around 18:30 on 2026-07-09, a bear was sighted in Daiku-cho, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, and was seen moving.

Yuzawa 字西愛染沢, Akita

Posted: It was on the mountainside across a large drainage ditch beside the road, looking this way.

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

Sighted on the road. Body length and subsequent movements are unknown.

Yuzawa 杉沢, Akita

[Post] On the Mizuho-no-Sato Road, a 30-cm cub crossed the road at the tunnel exit and entered the brush on the mountainside.

Yokote, Akita

One bear about 1 m in body length was observed walking in front of a private house. The bear later moved into the forested area to the north.

Yokote 山内大沢, Akita

One cub was sighted heading east from the bamboo grove / Environment: near homes / Size: juvenile

Shinjo Masugata, Yamagata

A bear was sighted moving in Waga-cho Saimago 19-chiwari, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Wagacho-Naganuma, Iwate

A resident spotted one bear in a residential area of Tokiwadai 2-chome, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Machibun, Iwate

Environment: Farmland / Size: Juvenile

Obanazawa Shinmachi-chuo, Yamagata

Around 7:00 AM, a cub was sighted in farmland in Kitamachi, Obanazawa City.

Obanazawa Shinmachi-chuo, Yamagata

A bear was sighted in Takamatsu 11-chome, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Takamatsu, Iwate

[Report] At Minase Headworks, it disappeared toward the southwest across the river about 150 meters upstream. *Because the posted content and the sighting location differed, the sighting point was corrected.

Yokote 増田町八木, Akita

A bear was sighted in Waga-cho Iwasaki 27-chiwari, Kitakami City, around 6:50 a.m. on July 5.

Kitakami Wagacho-Iwasaki, Iwate

At around 06:45 on July 5, one bear was seen moving in Waga-cho Iwasaki 30-chiwari, Kitakami.

Kitakami Wagacho-Iwasaki, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Iito 19-ku, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Iitoyo, Iwate

A bear was sighted moving in Waga-cho Goto 3-chiwari, Kitakami City, around 21:05 on July 4.

Kitakami Wagacho-Goto, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Waga-cho Yamaguchi 40-chiwari, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Wagacho-Yamaguchi, Iwate

A single cub was sighted in a drainage ditch near farmland. Body length about 50 cm. About 100 m from houses.

Yuzawa, Akita

Witnessed walking toward the mountain on the road between Mitake Nursery School and a private house. Body length: adult about 1.2 m, cub about 50 cm; 1 m from the house.

Yuzawa 字湯ノ上山, Akita

A bear about 1 meter in body length ran off toward the north. (The map point is not exact. The sighting occurred in the area around that point.)

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

Moved toward the eastern mountain / Environment: forest / Size: juvenile

Funagata, Yamagata

Found footprints that appear to have crossed the farm road. A bear was spotted the previous day heading toward the Kaizawa settlement, so these may be the tracks of that same individual.

Ugo 字戸付, Akita

The bear from just before was seen returning up the mountain.

Ugo 字箕ノ森, Akita

Sighted along the same route as yesterday evening. Came out from Minomori.

Ugo 字清水端, Akita

I wasn't sure if it was a cub because it seemed small, or a smaller female bear. I spotted it in the rice field, and it then ran toward the residential area.

Ugo 字野中, Akita

On the way home from volleyball practice (No details given about the bear's length or situation; the post by a parent and child is unclear about the number of bears, but we are publishing it as posted.)

Yokote 十文字町上鍋倉, Akita

I was walking along the embankment when a vehicle approached and it ran into the riverside brush.

Yokote 十文字町鼎, Akita

One cub (young bear) moved from south to north / Environment: near residential area / Size: juvenile

Shinjo Showa, Yamagata

It went into the mountains of Minomori from the direction of the Rice Center.

Ugo 字箕ノ森, Akita

A bear was sighted running along the rice-field ridges toward the Kaizawa settlement from near the ENEOS gas station. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.

Ugo 字稲荷, Akita

A bear was seen moving in Kaizawa Hane-no-Ue, Ugo Town.

Ugo 字小悪戸, Akita

[Post] While working with an agricultural cart, it suddenly appeared right in front of me. I shouted loudly and it ran away. Reported to authorities.

Yokote 十文字町佐賀会, Akita

Ran along the rice-field embankment and headed toward the Oto River. Entered the brush in the river; whereabouts after that are unknown.

Ugo 字野中, Akita

A bear about 1 meter long was wandering around in a field. The bear went into a nearby wood. People who saw the bear evacuated, so what happened afterward is unknown.

Yokote 十文字町鼎, Akita

One bear was seen moving in Jumonji-machi Kanagawa-Nakagawa, Yokote City.

Yokote 十文字町鼎, Akita

There were two vending machines in front of the warehouse, and I sighted a bear about 1 m long at the gravesite across from them. (Reported July 1)

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

Around 5:30 PM on June 30, a bear was sighted in Kita-terabayashi 2-chome, Ishidoriya-cho, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Daikoji, Iwate

While driving down the Wakahata municipal road from the Wakahata settlement, I saw one bear on the road and it ran off into the mountains. Location: on the Wakahata municipal road heading from Itado toward Wakahata, past the entrance to the Okunomiya forest road, along the stream at a right-hand curve. Body length about 1 m.

Yuzawa 字内舘町, Akita

A single bear about 1 meter in body length ran along the service road on the west side of Kanayako overpass, went out toward the rice fields, and then disappeared into the woods under the overpass.

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

A single bear about 1 m long ran along the service road on the west side of Kanaya overpass, moved out toward the rice fields, and then disappeared into the woods beneath the overpass.

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

Report: Spotted a bear running along the rice fields below the levee.

Yokote 増田町八木, Akita

Observed two cubs in the grassy area on the east side of the building at the reported location. After the sighting, the cubs’ whereabouts were lost (they could not be located).

Yuzawa 岩崎, Akita

A bear was sighted near the back screen of Ogatsu Baseball Stadium. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown. Distance to the nearest house: approximately 50 meters.

Yuzawa Yokobori, Akita

Environment: Forest / Size: Juvenile

Obanazawa, Yamagata

On 2026-06-29 in Inasecho Iwawaki, Kitakami City, one bear was seen moving.

Kitakami Inasecho, Iwate

Sighted on the town road from the municipal housing toward Miwa Shrine. Adult bear.

Ugo 字家妻, Akita

A bear was sighted in Takamatsu 5-chome district, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Takaki, Iwate

Sighted near Kawarahashi Bridge. Headed toward the mountains. Body length about 1 m, approximately 50 m from houses.

Yuzawa, Akita

A single bear about 50 cm in body length was sighted on the road. The bear then walked east.

Yokote Akagawa, Akita

A bear was sighted in Akasakayamazaki, Yokote City, and was seen moving.

Yokote Akagawa, Akita

On June 28 around 1:50 PM, a bear was sighted in Sotomezakura, Yokote City, Akita, and was seen moving.

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

A bear was running across the rice field toward the road, but it turned around and went back toward the mountain.

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

One bear was seen moving in Nikocho Kanisawa, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Kotorizaki, Iwate

The bear moved to the mountain south of the former Koseien. / Size: Adult

Funagata, Yamagata

Around 1:00 PM on June 28, a bear was seen moving in Waga-cho Goto 10-chiwari, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture.

Kitakami Wagacho-Goto, Iwate

Walking on the sidewalk. Afterwards went into the grassy area on the former Hiraishi Station side.

Yokote, Akita

One bear cub was observed crossing the road from north to south and entering the woods / Environment: forest / Size: juvenile

Shinjo Odashima, Yamagata

Entered huts and ransacked leftover food

Yuzawa 松岡, Akita

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult

Kaneyama Urushino, Yamagata

Observed one bear crossing Prefectural Route 40. Body length approximately 1 m. Afterwards, the bear went down to the Yokotekawa River on the north side.

Yokote 山内筏, Akita

Likely the same bear as report no:2026241. A mother bear and one cub came down the mountain path toward my house, but shortly after looked back and chased after the cub that had gone ahead. Observed from the living room, toward the mountain behind the yard. After that, two cubs led the way with three adult bears walking slowly right behind them along the boundary with the woods, heading toward the fork.

Yokote, Akita

I spotted a bear in the pond at my home. While I was on the phone reporting it, I lost sight of the bear. Body length about 1 m.

Yuzawa 山田, Akita

Observed a mother bear and two cubs (three bears total) moving alongside the rice field. The adult was about 1 m long and the cubs about 50 cm. After that, the bears moved into the forested area to the east. Distance to the nearest house was about 10 m.

Yokote, Akita

A bear was sighted in Yamauchi Nangodaira, Yokote City, and was seen moving.

Yokote, Akita

One bear cub was sighted in Tokamachi, Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Shinjo Tokamachi, Yamagata

While heading south on National Route 13 toward Inagawa, past Yamaguchi Tunnel, I sighted one bear cub. It crossed the road and ran up the mountainside.

Yuzawa Shimo-Innai, Akita

While traveling southbound on National Route 13 on the inner side of the valley, I observed one cub just past the Yamaguchi Tunnel. It crossed the road and fled toward the mountainside.

Yuzawa Shimo-Innai, Akita

Report received of a single bear seen running through a rice field while driving on the Tohoku Chuo Expressway / Environment: agricultural land / Size: adult

Shinjo Showa, Yamagata

Environment: Near houses / Size: Adult (fully grown)

Obanazawa Kitago, Yamagata

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult

Kaneyama Hoyama, Yamagata

Environment: Near residences / Size: Unknown

Obanazawa Oboroke, Yamagata

A bear was sighted moving in Hiraka-cho Asamai Kakumachi-go, Yokote City.

Yokote, Akita

Sighted while driving. Body length approximately 1.5 m. The bear departed to the west (toward Kirin Pharmacy).

Yokote, Akita

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult and cub

Mamurogawa Nozoki, Yamagata

Environment: Farmland / Size: Juvenile

Obanazawa Oshikiri, Yamagata

A single bear approximately 1 meter in body length was sighted near the Agricultural and Forestry Vocational School / Environment: forest / Size: adult

Shinjo Tsunozawa, Yamagata

Environment: Near human dwellings / Size: Adult

Obanazawa Minamisawa, Yamagata

Environment: Forest / Size: Unknown

Obanazawa Nobesawa, Yamagata

While driving near Atago Bridge in Kamiinnai, Yuzawa City, I spotted one bear in front of the garbage collection point near the beauty salon just before Shinōin. The bear crossed Atago Bridge and ran west toward Atago Shrine. Body length: 0.8 m; 10 m from residential area.

Yuzawa, Akita

Witnessed a bear approximately 80 cm in length

Yokote 十文字町佐賀会, Akita

Bear sighted in front of Iwasaki Post Office. It was moving, so the direction it fled is unknown.

Yuzawa, Akita

A bear was sighted in Yumoto 12-chome, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Yumoto, Iwate

Around 10:40 on June 21, a bear was sighted in Yumoto 7-chiwari, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Ohata, Iwate

At around 7:06 PM on 2026-06-20, a bear was seen moving in Waga-cho Iwasakishinden 10-chiwari, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Wagacho-Iwasakishinden, Iwate

A bear was sighted in the city hall staff parking lot near Sun Green. It then fled down the southern slope.

Yuzawa 字湯ノ上山, Akita

A bear about 1 meter in body length was sighted near Akita Furusato Village No. 4 parking lot. It left heading toward the former Hotel Wellness (south).

Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita

A bear approximately 1 m in body length was sighted near the No. 4 parking lot of Akita Furusato-mura. It walked off in the direction of the former Hotel Wellness (south).

Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita

An adult bear about 1 meter in size crossed the road from the Aeon side and entered the thicket on the Furusato Village side.

Yokote Fuke-ootsutsumi, Akita

(Posted) Was walking along the national highway and entered the Aeon premises.

Yokote Yasuda, Akita

A bear was sighted in Kamineko Hōzen, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Nishihareyama, Iwate

Received a report of suspected Asiatic black bear (tsukinowaguma) droppings and inspected the site. The droppings were believed to be from an Asiatic black bear.

Yuzawa 字角間沢, Akita

Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult

Oishida Iwagafukuro, Yamagata

[Post] (No description of circumstances)

Yokote Yasuda, Akita

Hearing a crackling/rustling sound, I looked toward the noise and saw a bear about 1–1.2 m in body length. The bear appeared twice around 10:00 and each time went back into the brush.

Yokote Maego, Akita

[Report] I found this during my commute. It is definitely animal droppings. I think it’s slightly smaller than a clenched fist. (Note from the Forestry and Agricultural Maintenance Division: The size is small for bear droppings and it looks like droppings from a small animal.)

Yokote Ekimae-cho, Akita

Multiple footprints were found in the soybean field. They appear to be coming and going from the riverside on the west side. It is believed the animal has appeared several times between Sunday the 14th and today, Thursday the 18th.

Yokote 十文字町佐賀会, Akita

A bear was sighted moving in Maegō Katsu-yama, Yokote City, around 10:00 on 2026-06-18.

Yokote Maego, Akita

Around 5:10 PM on 2026-06-17, a bear was sighted in Takagi 20-chiwari, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.

Hanamaki Takaki, Iwate

[Post] (No details provided)

Yokote 増田町亀田, Akita

A bear about 1 m in length was sighted heading north along National Route 13 / Environment: farmland / Size: adult

Shinjo Nakamichimachi, Yamagata

Environment: Business premises / Size: Unknown

Funagata, Yamagata

Environment: Near houses / Size: Adult

Obanazawa Nakisawa, Yamagata

A single bear, over 1 meter in body length, was seen climbing a tree. The bear later came down from the tree, but because there were thickets beneath the tree it walked into, its direction of departure is unknown.

Yokote Maego, Akita

Around 7:30 on June 15, a bear was seen moving in Takamatsushita-no, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture.

Yuzawa 相川, Akita

A bear jumped out from the mountain area and ran off toward the river to the south. Body length about 1 m, approximately 350 m from residences.

Yuzawa 相川, Akita

A bear was sighted in Yazawa 9-chome, Hanamaki City, around 6:05 AM on June 14.

Hanamaki Yasawa, Iwate

One bear approximately 1 m in body length was observed in farmland. The bear then left toward the forested mountains to the south.

Yokote Maego, Akita

One adult bear was seen moving north toward a residential area in Waga-cho Yokokawame 4-chome, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Wagacho-Iwasawa, Iwate

[Report] Crossed the area near the Lower House inner IC entrance from right to left as seen by a witness, which on the map is from north to south. Body length about 1 m, approximately 200 m to a private house.

Yuzawa Shimo-Innai, Akita

On 2026-06-12 around 09:35, a bear was sighted moving in Kamionikiyanagi 2-chiwari, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture.

Kitakami Kamioniyanagi, Iwate

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult

Kaneyama Hoyama, Yamagata

A bear walked past beside my parents' house!!

Shinjo Tokamachi, Yamagata

Around 12:00 on 2026-06-12, a bear was seen moving in Waga-cho Yokokawame 12-chiwari, Kitakami, Iwate.

Kitakami Wagacho-Yokokawame, Iwate