Sannohe~Sayama 드라이브 루트

Around late morning on 2026-06-09, a bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted at Dainohara Forest Park in Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi

Kanuma 深程, Tochigi

On Monday, June 8 at approximately 9:35 p.m., near the 184.3-kilometer post on the inbound (upbound) lanes of the Tohoku Expressway at 40-2 Ikenoiriyama, Fumase, Izumizaki Village, a large commercial truck driven by a man in his 50s, traveling in the first lane of the inbound direction, collided with a bear (about 1.5 m in body length) that crossed from the right side to the left of the vehicle’s direction of travel. The driver of the vehicle sustained no injuries. There were no passengers. The bear was confirmed dead at the scene of the traffic accident.

Izumizaki Fumase, Fukushima

On Monday, June 8, at around 8:20 p.m., a witness (male in his 60s) sighted one bear (approximately 1 m in body length) on the roadway in Uchimach in Machinawazaka, Fukushima City. The bear subsequently left the area heading west.

Fukushima Futagozuka, Fukushima

On June 8 (Monday) at approximately 5:50 PM, in the Kurokawa area below Shirasaka, Shirakawa City, a witness (male in his teens) spotted one bear (about 2 meters in body length) by the roadside while riding a bicycle.

Shirakawa, Fukushima

A bear was sighted in Akashishitaderamae, Tomiya City.

Tomiya 明石, Miyagi

On Monday, June 8 at around 2:00 p.m., a single bear (about 1 m in body length) was sighted within the golf course area in Gakudan, Kuroiwa, Fukushima City. The bear later left and went into the grove of mixed woods.

Fukushima Tazawa, Fukushima

A single young bear was sighted near the parking lot reserved for staff of the Handmade Village.

Morioka Yuzawa, Iwate

A bear entered the grounds of a prefectural apartment complex in Yuzawa-Higashi, Morioka, tore open fertilizer bags, and scattered fertilizer.

Morioka Yuzawa, Iwate

A single medium-sized bear was sighted moving toward Iwayama near the Iwayama entrance on National Route 4.

Morioka Yuzawa, Iwate

On Monday, June 8 at approximately 5:50 a.m., in a field in Nishihara, Minamisawamata area, Fukushima City, a witness (female in her 40s) observed one animal believed to be a bear (about 1 m in body length) in the field. Because it was a brief passing sighting, the direction in which it left and other details are unknown.

Fukushima Minamisawamata, Fukushima

Around 2 PM on June 8, a bear was sighted in Kuroiwa Gakudan, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Tazawa, Fukushima

Around 5:50 on June 8, a bear-like animal was sighted in Minamisawamata Nishihara, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Minamisawamata, Fukushima

One bear was sighted in a grassland in Akashidai 6-chome, Tomiya City.

Tomiya 明石, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in a wooded area adjacent to Aeon Mall Tomiya in Oshimizu 1-chome, Tomiya City.

Tomiya 鷹乃杜, Miyagi

June 7

Tomiya 鷹乃杜, Miyagi

June 7

Kurihara 築館字下待井, Miyagi

June 7

Sendai Akiumachi-Yumukai, Miyagi

A bear was sighted at Moniwa Nakayachi-yama in Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, around 18:45 on 2026-06-07.

Sendai, Miyagi

Near the BMW, I saw it running from the field or rice paddy toward the grove of trees. I was driving and looked to the right when I saw it, so there are no photos. It wasn't in front, so the dashcam didn’t record it either.

Kanuma 深津, Tochigi

June 7

Ohira ときわ台, Miyagi

June 7

Zao 大字平沢, Miyagi

One bear was sighted on a city road in Takinohara 3, Utsunomiya.

Utsunomiya 大塚町, Tochigi

Sighting reported around Utsunomiya, Takinokahara 3-chome area.

Utsunomiya 大塚町, Tochigi

Around 5:15 on June 7, one bear was sighted in Otsuka-cho, Utsunomiya City.

Utsunomiya 大塚町, Tochigi

A bear was sighted at a park in Aikobano-cho, Utsunomiya City.

Utsunomiya 明保野町, Tochigi

On Sunday, June 7 at approximately 4:10 a.m., in a field in Minamisawamata, Suimonshimo, Fukushima City, a witness (male, in his 70s) observed one animal believed to be a bear (about 50 cm in body length) in the field. The animal then left the scene heading east.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

A bear crossed in front of pedestrians on Orion Street in Utsunomiya and was captured on a fixed camera.

Utsunomiya Enomachi, Tochigi

Utsunomiya 大塚町, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Nishikawada-cho, Utsunomiya City.

Utsunomiya 西川田町, Tochigi

Utsunomiya 明保野町, Tochigi

A bear about 1 meter long was sighted at a park in Sumiyoshidai Nishi 4-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai 住吉台, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Ennda Takaki, Zaō Town, Miyagi, around 1:00 PM on June 7.

Zao 大字平沢, Miyagi

Utsunomiya 大塚町, Tochigi

Utsunomiya Honcho, Tochigi

Around 13:30 on 2026-06-07, a bear was sighted in Ohira Heirin, Ohira Village, Miyagi Prefecture.

Ohira ときわ台, Miyagi

Utsunomiya 大塚町, Tochigi

Utsunomiya 東原町, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Kamiozocho.

Utsunomiya 上大曽町, Tochigi

At around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, a witness (male, in his 60s) observed one bear (approximately 1 m in body length) running across a rice field in the Higashikubo area of Katahira Town, Koriyama City. The bear then left toward the mountain to the northwest.

Koriyama 片平町, Fukushima

A bear was sighted in Fujimigaoka 1, Utsunomiya.

Utsunomiya 山本町, Tochigi

On Saturday, June 6 at around 6:30 p.m., in the riverbed area of Sakurauchi, Minamisawamata, Fukushima City, a witness (male in his 40s) observed one animal believed to be a bear (approximately 1 m in body length) moving eastward along the riverbed.

Fukushima Minamisawamata, Fukushima

June 6

Ohira ときわ台, Miyagi

June 6

Ohira ときわ台南, Miyagi

One bear was sighted in grassland in the Ohira Shionami area of Ohira Village.

Ohira ときわ台南, Miyagi

Around 09:04 on 2026-06-06, a bear was sighted in Sanbongi Saida Magishi, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Osaki 三本木斉田, Miyagi

June 6

Shiroishi 大平中目, Miyagi

One bear was sighted at a construction site in the Ohira Nakame Koyashiki area of Shiraishi City.

Shiroishi 大平中目, Miyagi

June 6

Tomiya 西成田, Miyagi

June 6

Shiroishi 大平中目, Miyagi

At around 5:30 a.m. on June 6, one bear was passed by on Route 457 in Yoshioka Ishigamizawa, Taiwa Town.

Taiwa Yoshioka, Miyagi

In Yoshioka, Taiwa Town, a driver spotted one bear about 1 meter long moving south on Route 457.

Taiwa Yoshioka, Miyagi

Utsunomiya 八幡台, Tochigi

A bear was sighted walking north on a city road in Fujimigaoka 1-chome, Utsunomiya City.

Utsunomiya 山本町, Tochigi

Around 8:30 PM on 2026-06-06, a bear 60–80 cm long was seen in Yamamoto, Utsunomiya, Tochigi. No injuries were reported.

Utsunomiya 八幡台, Tochigi

Utsunomiya 戸祭台, Tochigi

Utsunomiya 戸祭台, Tochigi

June 5

Sendai Akebonomachi, Miyagi

A bear was seen walking in a residential area in Akebono-cho, Aoba Ward.

Sendai Akebonomachi, Miyagi

June 5

Osaki 古川清水, Miyagi

At around 13:37 on 2026-06-05, one bear was seen moving in Shimooni 2-chiwari, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture.

Kitakami, Iwate

A single young bear was sighted near the parking lot reserved for staff of the Handmade Village.

Morioka Sanbonyanagi, Iwate

A bear was sighted at Tsukidate Terukoshi Yamanokamimae in Kurihara City.

Kurihara 築館字荒田沢, Miyagi

June 5

Kurihara 築館字照越, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Sasakino Harai Kawazoe, Fukushima City, around 4:10 AM on June 5.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

On June 5 (Friday) at approximately 4:10 a.m., in a rice paddy in the Harakawazoe area of Sasakino, Fukushima City, a witness (male in his 60s) observed one bear (about 1 m in body length) moving south through the rice paddy.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

In Sasakino, Fukushima City, a bear was seen in a paddy field near a city road about 2 km northwest of the escaped bear's factory.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

At around 2:00 a.m., one bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted within the grounds of a house in Yamada, Yaita City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Yaita Yamada, Tochigi

June 5

Sendai Aramaki-chuo, Miyagi

Yaita Yamada, Tochigi

Twenty minutes later, there was also a bear sighting at Akebonocho Park, about 1 km to the southeast.

Sendai Hayamamachi, Miyagi

June 5

Taiwa Tsurusu-Yamada, Miyagi

A driver saw a bear in the residential area of Aramaki Chuo, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Aramaki-chuo, Miyagi

A bear-like animal was sighted in Sanbonyanagi 4-chiwari, Morioka City.

Morioka Sanbonyanagi, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Sugōdate, Murata Town, Miyagi Prefecture, around 00:15 on June 5.

Murata 大字菅生, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Maesawa Ainosawa, Oshu City.

Ōshū Maesawa, Iwate

In Sasakino, Fukushima City, a bear was seen crossing a city road about 2 km northwest of the escaped bear's factory.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

On Thursday, June 4 at approximately 7:40 p.m., in the area of Harakawazoe, Sasakino, Fukushima City, on a municipal road, a witness (male) driving a vehicle observed a bear (one, about 1 meter in body length) crossing the road from east to west.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

A bear was sighted in Sasakino Harigawasoe, Fukushima City, around 19:40 on June 4.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

On Thursday, June 4 at around 7:00 p.m., in the Moto-Kanazawa area of Sakurashita, Fukushima City, on the cycling road, a witness (a woman in her 30s) driving a vehicle saw one bear (about 1 m in body length) enter the riverside thicket from the cycling road.

Fukushima Sakurashimo, Fukushima

June 4

Kurihara, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Isshō Yanagime Mochikurezawa, Kurihara City, Miyagi, around 18:50 on June 4.

Kurihara 一迫柳目, Miyagi

June 4

Sendai 中山台, Miyagi

June 4

Sendai Tomita, Miyagi

Around 7:40 on June 4, a bear was sighted in Tsukidate Ota Nakaota, Kurihara City.

Kurihara, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Tomita-Uenonaka, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, in the early morning.

Sendai Tomita, Miyagi

Around 6:00 PM on June 4, a bear was sighted in Nakayamadai 4-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai 中山台, Miyagi

June 4

Kurihara, Miyagi

Around 2:00 on June 4, a mature bear was captured on an AI camera on the south side of Kamimachi Park in Ishidoriya-cho, Koji, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Kochi, Iwate

Around 8:00 PM on June 4, a bear was sighted in Kosegawa 1-chiwari, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Kunuginome, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Tengada, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Tenkada, Iwate

Around 7:00 PM on 2026-06-04, a bear was sighted in Sasukurashita Motokanazawa, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Sakurashimo, Fukushima

At around 19:15 on June 3, a bear was sighted in Matsukawa-machi Asakawa Hato, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Hikarigaoka, Fukushima

Around 19:15 on 2026-06-03, one bear was sighted on a city road in Asakawa, Matsukawa-machi, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Matsukawamachi-Asakawa, Fukushima

On Wednesday, June 3 at approximately 7:15 p.m., in the area of Namiwataru, Asakawa, Matsukawa-machi, Fukushima City, on a municipal road, a witness (male in his 20s) driving observed one bear (about 1 m in body length) crossing the road from north to south.

Fukushima Hikarigaoka, Fukushima

A bear was sighted in Sumiyoshidai Higashi 3-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai 住吉台, Miyagi

From a fixed live camera in Matsuo Yoriki, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture 6/3 14:33:48 – Wandering around the premises from the far right of the screen https://www.youtube.com/live/MKmhNRdc4tA?si=2USAsD2IdB92ueZx 531-31 Matsuo Yoriki, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture 028-7302 Campus no Mori (Campus Forest) Hachimantai

Hachimantai, Iwate

Around 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, in Wariishi, Machinabasaka, Fukushima City, the caller (male in his 70s) discovered what appeared to be bear scat and reported it to the police. He provided the information to Fukushima City Hall, and when city officials responded to the scene with him and inspected the area, it was confirmed to be bear scat.

Fukushima Zainiwasaka, Fukushima

June 3

Sendai 西中山, Miyagi

June 3

Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi

On the night of 2026-06-03, one bear was seen moving in Sasakino Tachi, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

One bear was seen moving in Aisari-cho Kami-sanjunincho, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate

A woman reported a bear in the bushes while walking in Nishinakayama 2-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai.

Sendai 西中山, Miyagi

June 2

Sendai Kawauchi-Sanjuninmachi, Miyagi

At the Fukushimaseiko factory premises, a bear was seen on the roof of a three-story building.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

A bear entered the premises of Fukushima Seiko in Sasakino Tenjikuda, Fukushima City, and attacked two employees.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

At an establishment in Sasakino, Fukushima City, a bear attacked four employees/residents and four people were injured. The bear is believed to still be staying inside the building.

Fukushima Sasakino, Fukushima

A bear appeared on the Fukushimaseiko premises in Sasakino, Fukushima City, and injured two employees, one nearby resident, and one security guard at another nearby company.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

At around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, at a business premises in Fukushima City, a bear that had entered the site attacked two employees, and then attacked two more people in a nearby residential area, injuring a total of four people. All sustained minor injuries and were conscious. Those attacked by the bear were two male employees in their 20s and 60s from “Fukushima Seikō” in Sasakino Tenjikuda, Fukushima City, and an 80-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man in the surrounding area. All appear to be conscious. The scene is a residential area about 3 kilometers northwest of JR Fukushima Station.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

Around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, in Yumachi, Machinibasaka, Fukushima City, the reporter (a woman in her 30s) discovered bear droppings.

Fukushima Zainiwasaka, Fukushima

The bear attacked four people while moving across JR Ou Main Line Sasakino Station.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

An adult bear was seen running east on a road in Ishidoriya-machi Ezo 9-chome, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Eso, Iwate

A bear entered the premises of Fukushima Steel in Fukushima City, chased a male employee in his 20s, and injured him lightly.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

On Monday, June 1 at approximately 10:51 p.m., in a residential area of Tatsuda, Sasakino, Fukushima City, a witness (female in her 50s) spotted a single bear (about 1 m in body length) leaving the area, moving from east to west toward the residential neighborhood as she was about to stop at a convenience store. The witness saw the bear while driving.

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

An adult bear was behind the garbage collection point near the caller’s home; afterward it ran off toward the forest.

Morioka Mitsuwari, Iwate

June 1st

Sendai 館, Miyagi

June 1st

Tomiya 石積, Miyagi

June 1st

Kurihara 築館字築館蟹沢, Miyagi

June 1st

Osaki 三本木秋田, Miyagi

June 1st

Osaki 岩出山下野目, Miyagi

June 1st

Kurihara, Miyagi

June 1st

Kawasaki, Miyagi

June 1st

Sendai 紫山, Miyagi

A resident spotted one adult bear crossing a city road in Tagashira 21th district, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture.

Hachimantai 田頭, Iwate

Around 18:40 on 2026-06-01, a bear was sighted in Akashi Nitanme, Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Tomiya 石積, Miyagi

May 31

Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi

May 31

Kurihara 築館字築館蟹沢, Miyagi

May 31

Sendai 北中山, Miyagi

May 31

Kawasaki Hasekura, Miyagi

While driving, the vehicle struck a bear; the bear left heading east.

Nanbu Omukai, Aomori

When I looked outside, I witnessed a bear about 1 meter in body length running off toward the southwest.

Nanbu Omukai, Aomori

May 31

Tomiya 三ノ関, Miyagi

There were bear tracks in the field.

Morioka Yuzawa, Iwate

A bear just under 1 meter in length crossed the road and went into the mountain to the south.

Sannohe Toyokawa, Aomori

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on May 31, in a field in Hiraakasaka, Suibara, Matsukawa-machi, Fukushima City, the caller (a woman in her 60s) went to the field to do farm work and discovered what appeared to be bear tracks. She reported it to the police station. Afterwards she provided the information to Fukushima City Hall, and when city hall staff attended the scene with her and checked, it was confirmed to be bear tracks.

Fukushima, Fukushima

Signs suggesting a bear sighting (tracks of raspberries/blackberries eaten)

Morioka Yuzawa, Iwate

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A bear was sighted moving around in Tounai, Sannohe Town, Aomori, around 08:50 on 2026-05-31.

Sannohe Tonai, Aomori

May 30

Sendai Chomeigaoka-higashi, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Chomeigaoka 2-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai City, around 23:15 on May 30.

Sendai Chomeigaoka-higashi, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Kuzu 1-chiwari, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Eso, Iwate

On May 30 around 14:30, a bear was sighted in Waga-machi Goto 13-chiwari, Kitakami, and was seen moving.

Kitakami Nippei, Iwate

May 29

Tomiya 石積, Miyagi

May 29

Murata 大字小泉, Miyagi

May 29

Ohira, Miyagi

May 29

Ohira, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Toriigoe Yozukamichinoue, Ichinohe Town.

Ichinohe Torigoe, Iwate

Around 6:55 a.m. on May 29, a bear was sighted in Kamishinai 10-chome, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Kaminitanai, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Yagiyamaminami 2-chome, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Midodaira, Miyagi

May 29

Sendai Midodaira, Miyagi

A junior high school boy spotted one bear on a road in Yagiyama Honcho 2-chome, Taihaku Ward, Sendai.

Sendai Matsugaoka, Miyagi

May 29

Sendai Nihondaira, Miyagi

Spotted one juvenile near a house.

Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Sasakino Shigaido, Fukushima City, around 23:45 on May 28.

Fukushima Niida, Fukushima

On Thursday, May 28, at approximately 11:45 p.m., in the road area of Ichikaidō, Sasakino, Fukushima City, a witness (male in his 20s) spotted one bear (approx. 1.5 m in body length) crossing the road while returning home from work. The bear then departed the scene heading west. The witness saw the bear while driving a vehicle.

Fukushima Niida, Fukushima

At around 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, in a fruit orchard in the Dozuna Kitayachi-tochi area of Fukushima City, a witness (male in his 50s) saw a single bear (about 1 m in body length) wandering through the orchard next to his home. The bear subsequently left the area heading west.

Fukushima Tsuchifune, Fukushima

May 28

Murata 大字足立, Miyagi

Around 05:10 on 2026-05-28, a bear was sighted in Nitsusawa, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Sendai Futatsusawa, Miyagi

May 28

Sendai Futatsusawa, Miyagi

Two bears about 80 cm long were seen in the parking lot of government employee housing in Kawauchi, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Kawauchi, Miyagi

Two bears were sighted in a parking lot in Kawauchi Motoyashikita, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Kawauchi-Motohasekura, Miyagi

Nasushiobara 折戸, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Adachi Yōjiki, Murata Town, Miyagi, on 2026-05-28.

Murata 大字足立, Miyagi

May 28

Taiwa Ono, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Asahi 1-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai.

Sendai Ogaku, Miyagi

May 27

Sendai Shimo-Ayashi, Miyagi

May 27

Ohira 桔梗平, Miyagi

May 27

Tomiya 穀田, Miyagi

May 27

Sendai Shimo-Ayashi, Miyagi

At around 5:30 a.m. on May 27, in an agricultural field in Hiraakasaka, Suibara, Matsukawa-machi, Fukushima City, a caller (a woman in her 60s) went to the field to do farm work and discovered bear tracks. She reported it to the police station, and later provided the information to Fukushima City Hall. City hall staff went to the scene with her and confirmed that the tracks were from a bear.

Fukushima, Fukushima

A bear was sighted in Maesawa Jinja, Oshu City.

Ōshū Maesawa, Iwate

A bear was sighted moving in Murasaki-no 14-chome, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Murasakino, Iwate

May 26

Sendai 国見, Miyagi

May 26

Sendai Kawauchi, Miyagi

May 26

Kurihara 築館字左野原, Miyagi

Around 11:10 on 2026-05-26, a bear was sighted at Takenoshita-mae, Tsukidate-Yazawa, Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Kurihara, Miyagi

May 26

Kurihara 築館字下待井, Miyagi

On Tuesday, May 26 at approximately 10:15 a.m., in a forested area of Sugita-machi 3-chome, Nihonmatsu City, a witness (woman in her 30s) while driving saw one animal believed to be a bear walking near a trail in the forest. The animal was only partially seen, so its body length is unknown. Its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.

Nihonmatsu 大作, Fukushima

May 26

Sendai Kawauchi-Yamayashiki, Miyagi

On Tuesday, May 26 at around 7:00 a.m., in Yoshikura, Hikokubo area, Nihonmatsu City, a witness (male in his 70s) driving a vehicle sighted one bear (about 1 m in body length) crossing the farm road from south to north. The bear entered the woodland beside the road and its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.

Nihonmatsu 渋川, Fukushima

Around 9:00 on 2026-05-26, a bear was sighted in Takayashiki, Tomiya, Miyagi, and was later captured.

Tomiya 杜乃橋, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Takanashi, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

One bear was sighted on the Tohoku University Aobayama Campus on the morning of May 26.

Sendai Aramaki, Miyagi

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A single bear was sighted on Route 31 in Yahata 5-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai, and it moved northward into the forest.

Sendai 八幡, Miyagi

May 25

Tomiya 明石, Miyagi

May 25

Shiroishi, Miyagi

One bear was sighted in Sakuramachi 1-chome, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Toyosawacho, Iwate

On the night of 2026-05-25, one bear was sighted on a city road in Narita 8-chome, Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Tomiya 明石, Miyagi

May 25

Zao 大字塩沢, Miyagi

Around 8:30 PM on 2026-05-25, a bear was sighted in Narita, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.

Hanamaki Narita, Iwate

May 24

Kurihara, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Kamiyagari 2-chome, Izumi Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Izumichuo-minami, Miyagi

May 24

Sendai Izumichuo-minami, Miyagi

Around 21:40 on May 24, a bear was sighted in Takabayashi, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

One bear was seen crossing a city road in Futabishin-den, Shirakawa City, around 19:30.

Shirakawa 双石, Fukushima

On Sunday, May 24 at approximately 7:30 p.m., within Futaishinden area of Shirakawa City, on a municipal road, a witness walking a dog along the road observed one bear (about 1 m in body length) crossing the road.

Shirakawa 双石, Fukushima

May 24

Tomiya 石積, Miyagi

May 24

Kurihara, Miyagi

May 24

Shiroishi 越河平, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Yatsumatazawa, Tsukidate Shimomiyano, Kurihara City.

Kurihara 築館, Miyagi

May 24

Kurihara 築館, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Niisatomachi Hei, Utsunomiya City.

Utsunomiya 新里町, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Kukunome 3rd Chiwari, Hanamaki City, around 18:00 on 2026-05-24.

Hanamaki Kunuginome, Iwate

Utsunomiya 新里町, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

Around 7:12 PM on May 24, a bear was observed on security camera in Matsuzonocho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.

Hanamaki Tenkada, Iwate

Around 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, on National Route 399 in the Nakanouchi area of Iizaka Town, Fukushima City, a witness (male, in his 50s) driving a vehicle spotted one bear (approximately 1 m in length) crossing Route 399 from west to east. The bear left for nearby woods; as of now there have been no property or human injuries.

Fukushima Iizakamachi, Fukushima

A bear was sighted in Nakanouchi, Iizaka-machi, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Iizakamachi, Fukushima

May 23

Tomiya 二ノ関, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Aoki, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 青木, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Takabayashi, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 高林, Tochigi

A bear was sighted in Shinbori 32-wari, Ishidoriya-cho, Hanamaki City.

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Hachiman, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Mukuriya, Nasushiobara City.

Nasushiobara 無栗屋, Tochigi

May 23

Sendai 南吉成, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Kami-Ōnuki, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi.

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Around 6:30 AM on 2026-05-23, a bear was sighted in Goryo Kuzuoka, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Sendai Goroku, Miyagi

A bear broke through and damaged the wall of a house in Ishikiridokoro-Kakinokidaira, Ninohe City.

Ninohe, Iwate

Nasushiobara 無栗屋, Tochigi

May 22

Sendai Mizuhodai, Miyagi

May 22

Sendai Shimo-Ayashi, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Furukawa Osaki Nyo Kodate, Ōsaki City.

Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi

On Friday, May 22 at approximately 8:28 p.m., on the Otokotaki Bridge over the Abukuma River in the Tanaka Tsuchinai area of Sukagawa City, a witness (male) driving across the bridge observed one bear (about 1.5 m in length) walking near the middle of the bridge. The bear then briefly moved eastward and its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.

Sukagawa 市野関, Fukushima

May 22

Sendai 北中山, Miyagi

A teenage boy on the way home from school sighted one bear, about 1.5 meters long, in a pasture area in Daito, Dakeonsen, Nihonmatsu City.

Nihonmatsu 岳温泉大和, Fukushima

On Friday, May 22 at approximately 6:50 PM, a witness (male in his teens) observed a bear about 1.5 meters long sitting in a grassy pasture beside a municipal road in the Yamato area of Dake Onsen, Nihonmatsu City, while returning home from school.

Nihonmatsu 岳温泉大和, Fukushima

Around 6:40 PM on May 22, one bear was sighted in Kamiaiko Hida, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Kami-Ayashi, Miyagi

May 22

Shiroishi 鷹巣, Miyagi

May 22

Sendai Imozawa, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Yokomukaiyama, Irozawa, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Imozawa, Miyagi

On Friday, May 22 at around 11:55 a.m., near a private residence on a slope in Narita-machi 1-chome, Nihonmatsu City, an eyewitness (female in her 80s) went to a field and saw two bears (each about 1.5 meters long) walking on the slope; both bears were later seen entering the woodland to the west.

Nihonmatsu 三保内, Fukushima

It headed in a northeast direction.

Sannohe Zaifukojimachi, Aomori

Around 6:25 AM on May 22, a bear was sighted in Ouse-machi Kawauchi-Higashinagura, Koriyama City.

Koriyama, Fukushima

On Friday, May 22 at approximately 6:25 a.m., in the area of Higashinagakura, Kawachi, Ouse-machi, Koriyama City, on the south side of Ouse Park, a witness (female, driving a vehicle) observed one bear (about 1 m in body length) crossing the main prefectural road Naganuma-Kikuta Line westward and entering the forest.

Koriyama 逢瀬町河内, Fukushima

May 22

Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

May 22

Sendai Kami-Ayashi, Miyagi

May 21

Tomiya 二ノ関, Miyagi

May 21

Sendai Ogaku, Miyagi

May 21

Osaki 古川清水, Miyagi

Around 11:40 on May 21, a bear was sighted at Furukawa Shimizu Narita Omotemae in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.

Osaki 古川清水, Miyagi

At around 10:47 on 2026-05-21, a bear was sighted in Matsuzonocho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture.

Hanamaki Tenkada, Iwate

Around 08:30 on May 21, 2026, an man in his 80s spotted a bear about 50 cm long in a field in Fukushima City, Ozasao Aza Kaminomachi, and reported it to the Fukushima North Police at about 10:00. The bear ran into brush to the west; the site is about 700 meters west of Michi-no-Eki Fukushima and about 500 meters from Ozasao Elementary School, which asked parents to pick up children by car at dismissal.

Fukushima Ozaso, Fukushima

On Thursday, May 21 at approximately 8:30 a.m., in Ōzaso Aza Kaminomachi area of Fukushima City, an eyewitness (male in his 80s) spotted one bear (about 50 cm in body length) in a field while mowing grass. The bear left the area toward the thicket to the west, and as of now there are no property or personal injuries.

Fukushima Ozaso, Fukushima

May 21

Osaki 古川清水, Miyagi

May 21

Sendai Kadan, Miyagi

Around 9:00 on May 21, a bear was sighted in Saijoji, Ichinohe Town.

Ichinohe Saihoji, Iwate

At around 16:45 on May 20, 2026, one bear was sighted in the Umenai-Kirihagi area of Sannohe Town, Aomori Prefecture.

Sannohe Zaifukojimachi, Aomori

Witnessed on the way back from fishing

Fukushima Kuroiwa, Fukushima

May 20

Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Furukawa Osaki Odachi, Ōsaki City, Miyagi, around 14:20 on May 20, 2026.

Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi

On the afternoon of May 20, 2026, a bear was sighted near a post-illness childcare facility in Sannohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. The article does not report any injuries or capture.

Sannohe Futsukamachi, Aomori

Near the brush above the forest park, it was crossing the gravel path.

Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi

A bear is climbing up and down a chestnut tree.

Morioka, Iwate

At around 10:25 on May 20, 2026, a woman in her 70s encountered a bear about 1 meter long in a bamboo grove behind her home in Furukawa Shinhori, Osaki City, Miyagi. She waved a saw she was carrying and drove the bear off but fell and suffered a fractured bone in her lower back; the bear fled west.

Osaki 古川新堀, Miyagi

At around 08:45 on May 20, a passerby sighted one bear south of Yahata Elementary School in Ishidoriya-cho, Hanamaki. The bear crossed Prefectural Route 265 from west to east and left the area; no damage was reported, and the police are patrolling the scene and urging residents to be cautious.

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Hachiman, Iwate

On Wednesday, May 20 at approximately 8:40 a.m., in forested land at Fūfū (Kazefuki) area, Kumakura, Saigō Village, a woman driving a car witnessed a bear (about 1 m in length) entering the forest.

Nishigo 大字熊倉, Fukushima

An elementary school student on the way to school witnessed something that appeared to be a bear running from the Takenoko Square area of Koshika Park into the woods.

Morioka, Iwate

May 20

Taiwa Ono, Miyagi

On May 20, 2026 at around 05:50, a woman walking in Taihaku Forest Park in Aoba Ward, Sendai, reported seeing a bear walking south to north. There were no injuries; Sendai North Police said a single bear about 1 meter long was seen near the rock garden by the HOKUSHU Science Museum. Officers patrolled but could not confirm it. A bear had also been sighted about 1.5 km south on the 14th, and police cannot tell if it is the same individual.

Sendai Kitane-Kuromatsu, Miyagi

At around 05:50 on the 20th, one adult bear was sighted walking from south to north near the science museum in Taihaku Forest Park, Aoba Ward, Sendai City.

Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi

A bear was sighted in Matsuzonocho, Hanamaki City, Iwate, on May 20 in the late afternoon.

Hanamaki Tenkada, Iwate

May 20

Osaki 古川新堀, Miyagi

May 20

Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi

On May 20, 2026, Sendai City reported a bear sighting in Taihara Forest Park in Aoba Ward and has temporarily banned passage on most of the park, including paths without street lighting.

Sendai Dainohara-shinrinkoen, Miyagi

A bear appeared in Furukawa, Ōsaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, and the city carried out its first emergency shooting to cull the animal.

Osaki 古川, Miyagi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

On May 20, 2026, a bear was sighted in Sannohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. The article does not report any injuries or damages.

Sannohe Futsukamachi, Aomori

A bear was sighted in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind a paywall on Shimotsuke Shimbun Digital, so further details are not publicly available.

Nasu 富岡, Tochigi

May 19

Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi

May 19

Natori, Miyagi

On the morning of May 19, 2026, one male bear was spotted in a grove near Furukawa Shinden, Osaki City. The city authorized emergency gun hunting for public safety and the bear was killed around 11:00 a.m. The bear was about 1.1 m long, weighed approximately 45 kg, was estimated to be four years old, and is believed to have wandered in via a nearby river.

Osaki 古川新田, Miyagi

May 19

Osaki 古川斎下, Miyagi

May 19

Osaki 古川新田, Miyagi

At around 07:45 on May 19, 2026, a bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted in Ma-fune Kamiyashiki (Ōaza Mafune, Kamiyashiki), Saigō Village, Fukushima Prefecture. No damage to people or property has been confirmed so far, and the police have urged caution.

Nishigo, Fukushima

On Tuesday, May 19 at around 7:45 a.m., in Kamiyashikichi, Mafune, Saigō Village, on National Route 289, a woman driving a vehicle observed one bear (about 1 m in body length) crossing the road and heading south toward rice fields and residential houses.

Nishigo, Fukushima

May 19

Osaki 古川大崎, Miyagi

May 19

Osaki 古川楡木, Miyagi

May 19

Sendai Imozawa, Miyagi

May 19

Kami 上狼塚, Miyagi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

May 18

Sendai 中山台, Miyagi

On May 18, 2026 at around 20:00 in Sakuragaoka 6-chome, Aoba-ku, Sendai, a passerby reported a black animal about 1 meter long (uncertain if it was a bear) on private property, but residents could not confirm it. At around 22:15 the same day, a bear was reported moving south on a road in Nakayamadai 1-chome and then left for nearby woods. A bear was also sighted at Sakuragaoka Elementary School on the 14th.

Sendai Nishikatsuyama, Miyagi

Observed one young bear entering the brush from the road.

Ōshū 衣川日向, Iwate

May 18

Zao 大字円田, Miyagi

May 18

Taiwa Ryutsudaira, Miyagi

On Monday, May 18 at approximately 11:10 a.m., in the Nagata 2-chome area of Nihonmatsu City, a witness (woman in her 30s) observed a bear (about 1 m in body length) on the premises of a residence while at home; the bear was later seen entering the forest to the northeast.

Nihonmatsu 永田馬保内, Fukushima

In Nagata 2-chome, Nihonmatsu City, at around 11:10 on May 18, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was observed on residential premises.

Nihonmatsu 永田鍛治内, Fukushima

May 18

Tomiya 杜乃橋, Miyagi

May 18

Osaki 三本木斉田, Miyagi

May 18

Kawasaki Hasekura, Miyagi

At around 06:10 on the 18th, a man driving on a municipal road in Takayashiki, Tomiya City, spotted a bear about 1.5 m long and called the police. The bear ran up the west slope toward the mountain; the previous evening (17th) two other bears (about 1.5 m and 1 m) were reported about 1 km to the west in Yamatocho Morinooka 3-chome.

Tomiya 杜乃橋, Miyagi

At around 06:10 on the 18th, a 1.5-meter bear was seen walking on a slope near the Costco Wholesale Tomiya warehouse in Takayashiki, Tomiya City, by a man in a car; at about 10:00 the same day two more bears were spotted in a rice field about 1 km south of that location. There were no injuries reported, and Miyagi Prefecture announced it will continue the 'bear sighting alert' until June 18 due to the surge in sightings.

Tomiya 杜乃橋, Miyagi

May 18

Tomiya 杜乃橋, Miyagi

May 18

Sendai Ayashi-chuo 2-chome, Miyagi

May 17

Taiwa 杜の丘, Miyagi

May 17

Shiroishi, Miyagi

At around 18:20 on May 17, 2026, a resident reported seeing two bears (approximately 1.5 meters and 1 meter long) walking in a rice paddy in Mori-no-oka 3-chome, Taiwa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, and called emergency services.

Taiwa 杜の丘, Miyagi

One bear sighted near the garage of a private residence

Morioka, Iwate

May 17

Shiroishi 福岡長袋, Miyagi

Around 08:00 on May 17, a single bear was seen walking in an irrigation canal near Ota 6-chome, Morioka City. No damage from the bear has been confirmed, and the Morioka East Police Station has urged nearby residents to be cautious.

Morioka Shimoota-Sawada, Iwate

May 17

Sendai Moniwa, Miyagi

On Sunday, May 17 at about 7:30 a.m., near the entrance of Ouse Park at 1-3 Higashinagakura, Kawauchi, Ouse-machi, Koriyama City, a witness (male, seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle) observed one bear (approximately 1 m in body length) crossing the road to the east and entering the woodland.

Koriyama 逢瀬町河内, Fukushima

Around 07:30 on the 17th, a man in a car reported to police that he saw a bear crossing the road near the west entrance of Ouse Park in Ouse-machi, Koriyama. According to the police the bear, about 1 meter long, crossed the prefectural road and entered the forest in the park; the park had been closed after another sighting on the afternoon of the 16th and staff are patrolling and using firecrackers as countermeasures.

Koriyama, Fukushima

At around 07:30 on May 17, 2026, a man in a car spotted one bear crossing the road and entering the forest near the entrance of Ouse Park in Ouse-cho, Koriyama City, and reported it to the police. Ouse Park has been closed since the 16th after staff found a bear inside the park, and the animal seen this time is believed to be the same one based on its size.

Koriyama, Fukushima

May 17

Tomiya 富谷, Miyagi

May 17

Sendai 八幡, Miyagi

Around 04:30 on May 17, 2026, a female newspaper delivery worker spotted a bear about 50 cm long in shrubbery among houses in Yawata 5-chome, Aoba Ward, Sendai. The bear left the scene; police patrolled the area but did not find it. The sighting location is about 300 meters in a straight line from Osaki Hachiman Shrine.

Sendai 八幡, Miyagi

At around 03:30 on May 17, 2026, one bear was sighted near Tegake no Matsu green space at 2-19 Takamatsu, Morioka, Iwate. No human or property damage was reported.

Morioka, Iwate

Signs of a bear were found at a beekeeping site near the home

Morioka, Iwate

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

Yaita, Tochigi

Nasushiobara 上大貫, Tochigi

At around 22:10 on the 16th, a caller driving in Higashimimae 4-chiwari 10-banchi area, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, spotted a bear under 1 meter long walking east along the road. The bear was reported to be about 50 meters ahead when observed.

Morioka Higashimirumae, Iwate

May 16

Taiwa, Miyagi

On Saturday, May 16 at approximately 8:42 PM, in Sugita-machi 3-chome, Nihonmatsu City, on the Prefectural Route Sukagawa–Nihonmatsu Line, a witness (woman in her 40s) while driving observed one bear (about 1.5 m in length) walking across the prefectural road from west to east. The bear then climbed up the embankment of National Route 4.

Nihonmatsu 大平山, Fukushima

Following a bear sighting, Ouse Park in Koriyama City was closed from the evening of May 16. After safety was confirmed, the park reopened at 13:00 on May 18; Fukushima Prefecture conducted patrols and used firecrackers in the park on May 17 and 18 as countermeasures.

Koriyama 逢瀬町河内, Fukushima

On Saturday, May 16 at around 4:00 p.m., in the cemetery in Sugita-machi 2-chome, Nihonmatsu City, a witness (female in her 50s) saw one bear walking in the cemetery while she was cleaning graves (only the rear was seen, so total body length is unknown). The bear then entered the wooded area to the west.

Nihonmatsu 東町, Fukushima

On Saturday, May 16 at around 2:15 PM, a witness (female, driving) saw one bear (about 1 m in body length) crossing the road southward and entering the woods near the entrance of Ouse Park, 1-3 Higashinagakura, Kawachi, Ouse-machi, Koriyama City.

Koriyama 逢瀬町河内, Fukushima

One bear was sighted on the opposite side across the Nedagawa (Nedagawa River).

Morioka Higashimirumae, Iwate

I saw a cub near the roadside station under construction, close to Shibitami Nursery School.

Morioka Higashimirumae, Iwate

On Saturday, May 16 at approximately 7:37 a.m., on Prefectural Route Sukagawa–Nihonmatsu in Sugita-machi 3-chome, Nobenmatsu City (No. 52), a witness (woman in her 30s) driving a vehicle observed one bear (about 1.5 m in body length) walking on the prefectural road from east to west. The bear then entered the brush on the west side.

Nihonmatsu 大平山, Fukushima

On Saturday, May 16, at approximately 6:10 a.m., a male caller walking in the Omori Nishihyō area of Fukushima City sighted one bear (about 1.5 m in body length) moving east. The bear later returned into the mountains to the west and departed.

Fukushima Shimotoriwata, Fukushima

At around 06:10 on May 16, 2026, a man walking in Omori Nishiomote, Fukushima City, spotted a single bear about 1.5 meters long. The bear returned to the mountains afterward, and no injuries have been reported.

Fukushima Omori, Fukushima

On May 16 at around 06:00, a resident in Niiza, Nihonmatsu City, saw a single bear about 1.5 meters long wandering in another house's grounds, climb over a fence, and head into the bushes. About an hour and a half later a bear was seen on a road, and around 16:00 one was seen in a cemetery; sightings were reported elsewhere in the prefecture and police have increased vigilance.

Nihonmatsu 新座, Fukushima

At around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, in the Niiza area of Nihonmatsu City, a witness (male in his 50s) saw one bear (approximately 1.5 m in body length) wandering on the grounds of nearby residential properties from his home. The bear then moved south and left toward the brush.

Nihonmatsu 下山田, Fukushima

May 16

Kurihara, Miyagi

May 15

Sendai Nihondaira, Miyagi

Around 20:25 on May 15, an adult bear was sighted on a city road north of Kitakami General Sports Park in Takamaedanchi, Awasaracho, Kitakami City; the bear crossed the road from north to south and ran toward the park. No damage from the bear was reported, and police have urged nearby residents to be cautious.

Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate

May 15

Kurihara 築館, Miyagi

May 15

Natori Medeshimashiote, Miyagi

While driving a vehicle, the observer sighted one bear (approximately 1.5 m in body length) crossing the road.

Fukushima Zainiwasaka, Fukushima

Around 17:30 on May 15, 2026, one bear was sighted on the grounds of Hanamaki Airport in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, and the runway was temporarily closed. At least four flights were affected, but no injuries or property damage were reported, and the bear later left the airport grounds.

Hanamaki Kuzu, Iwate

A facility user at Koriyama Ryokusui-en sighted one bear (about 0.5 m in body length) on the premises.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

At around 16:15 on May 15, 2026, a woman spotted one bear about 0.5 meters long at the Japanese garden Shiki-no-Sato Ryokusui-en in Iwane Kawara, Motomiya City. The bear stayed on the premises briefly but then left toward the adjacent Iokawa River, and the city placed box traps in the nearby woods along the river.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

When I stepped out from my house onto the road, I saw what appeared to be bear tracks.

Fukushima Matsukawamachi-Asakawa, Fukushima

According to police, around 15:00 on May 15, 2026, one adult bear was sighted in the grassland north of the Hanamaki City Exchange Hall in Katsura Daisan Chiwari, Hanamaki City. Police notified the city office and nearby schools.

Hanamaki Higashimiyanome, Iwate

May 15

Osaki 三本木伊場野, Miyagi

At around 06:30 on May 15, a woman walking near Kitakayama 1-chome Park in Izumi Ward, Sendai, spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long. According to the Miyagi Prefectural Police Izumi Station, the bear left heading northwest; the area is a residential neighborhood surrounded by woods.

Sendai Sanezawa, Miyagi

May 15

Osaki 三本木斉田, Miyagi

One bear sighted in an apple orchard.

Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate

Around 23:55 on May 14, an adult bear was sighted on a road east of Motomiya Children's Park in Motomiya 2-chome, Morioka. Police patrolled the area by patrol car and spotted the bear near the west side of Motomiya Elementary School, but it entered a residential area and its whereabouts became unknown; no damage has been reported.

Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate

Observed one bear crossing the road.

Morioka, Iwate

While riding a bicycle, the person sighted one bear (approximately 1 m in body length) in the mountain woods.

Ten-ei Takahayashi, Fukushima

May 14

Kawasaki Hasekura, Miyagi

May 14

Kawasaki Hasekura, Miyagi

On the morning of May 14, 2026, one adult bear was sighted on the campus of Iwate University in Morioka, near the gymnasium. The university canceled all classes for the day and urged people to remain inside buildings.

Morioka, Iwate

On the morning of May 14, 2026, an apparently adult bear was sighted on the grounds of Iwate University in Morioka. The university urged people to stay inside buildings and canceled all classes for the day.

Morioka, Iwate

While at home, observed one bear (about 0.5 m in body length) walking through the wooded area.

Shirakawa 大信増見, Fukushima

At around 07:40 on the 14th, a police officer spotted one adult bear near the Dōhō dormitory at Iwate University in Ueda, Morioka. The city ordered an emergency shooting operation and restricted passage within a 200-meter radius northwest of the university, but the bear hid in undergrowth and was lost so it could not be culled; the shooting operation was lifted around 17:00 and authorities switched to box traps and conducted night patrols. The university canceled classes from the second period onward that day and suspended in-person classes on the 15th, asking dormitory residents to stay indoors.

Morioka, Iwate

At around 07:30 on May 14, 2026, one bear was sighted on the campus of Iwate University in Morioka (near the dormitory), and it remains on the grounds. Police and city officials are using drones to monitor the situation; some morning classes were canceled, no injuries or property damage have been reported, and the city is considering capture by tranquilizer or emergency culling.

Morioka Shimoota-Shinden, Iwate

At around 06:30 on May 14, an adult bear was sighted near the First Gymnasium on the Iwate University campus, and about an hour later another adult bear was seen near a university dormitory. The university canceled all classes for May 14, asked dorm residents to refrain from going out and warned students to stay inside, while police and prefectural staff continued to monitor the campus. Separately, at around 05:30 the same day an adult bear was also sighted near Iwate Junior & Senior High School in Nagatacho, Morioka.

Morioka, Iwate

On May 14, 2026 at around 06:30, a bear was sighted near the First Gymnasium of Iwate University Ueda Campus in Morioka City, and at about 07:50 another sighting was reported near the Dohou student dormitory. Morioka city and the Iwate prefectural police responded, and the university canceled classes from the second period onward and urged students to go home safely.

Morioka, Iwate

Bear sightings were reported in Morioka between the 13th and the morning of the 14th; around 05:30 a bear was seen near Iwate Junior/Senior High School in Nagatacho, and around 07:40 one was seen near a dormitory on Iwate University's Ueda campus. Police officers confirmed one adult bear on the university grounds but its subsequent whereabouts are unknown; Iwate University canceled the second-period classes and urged students to stay inside.

Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate

Around 05:30 on May 14, 2026, a bear was sighted near Iwate High School in Nagata-cho, Morioka. On the same day, bears were also reported on the Iwate University campus, and the university canceled some classes.

Morioka Senbokucho, Iwate

In the early hours of the 14th, one bear was spotted on the street near Sendai City Sakuragaoka Elementary School in Aoba Ward, Sendai. The school implemented measures such as group dismissal. According to police, the sighting occurred before 3:30 a.m. on the 14th.

Sendai Takimichi, Miyagi

In Sendai's Aoba Ward (Sakuragaoka 8-chome), at around 03:25 on the 14th a female newspaper delivery worker spotted a bear about 1 meter long. At 09:20 a man also saw a similar-sized bear on a promenade in Mizu no Mori Park; nearby schools and a nursery implemented group dismissals or halted outdoor activities, and there were no injuries.

Sendai Takimichi, Miyagi

On May 14, 2026, one bear appeared at Iwate University in Morioka City and remained on the campus. Morioka City decided to carry out an emergency culling and canceled classes, but the shooting was called off due to sunset.

Morioka, Iwate

There were what appeared to be droppings of a young animal on the road.

Morioka, Iwate

While working in an apple pre-cooling shed in an apple orchard, a bear was sighted. Outside the shed, apple boxes and the refrigerator drain pipe were damaged.

Morioka, Iwate

Saw what appeared to be a mother bear and cub at night.

Morioka Atagoshita, Iwate

May 13

Murata 大字小泉, Miyagi

While driving a vehicle, the observer spotted one bear in a rice field (approximately 1 m in body length).

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

At about 18:45 on May 13, 2026, a single bear approximately 1 meter long was seen in Iwane Aza Nakamaeda, Motomiya City, running toward the forest and running away.

Motomiya 岩根, Fukushima

May 13

Natori, Miyagi

May 13

Sendai Kami-Ayashi, Miyagi

On the evening of May 13 a single bear was filmed running north across the lawn of Takamatsu Park in Morioka City. According to the city, there were six sightings around Takamatsu Park between the 13th and the morning of the 14th, and the city and police have increased patrols and warnings.

Morioka Atagoshita, Iwate

On Wednesday, May 13 at around 5:00 p.m., in the woodland area of Tateno, Nihonmatsu City, a witness (male in his teens) was riding a bicycle nearby when he observed a bear (one animal, approximately 1 m in body length) on a slope of the woodland moving into the eastern part of the forest.

Nihonmatsu 舘野原, Fukushima

While driving, one bear crossed the road and ran off to the northeast.

Nanbu Komukai, Aomori

While walking, the observer sighted one bear (approximately 1 m in body length) on the slope of a forested mountain.

Nihonmatsu 大作, Fukushima

Around 16:30 on May 13, an adult bear was sighted near the Takamatsu Park rose garden in Ueda Kogamori, Morioka; it moved north toward Uedazutsumi. Police warned nearby schools and residents and patrolled the area by patrol car; no bear-related damage has been confirmed.

Morioka Atagoshita, Iwate

A single bear was sighted on a road in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture. The article is behind a paywall and does not report detailed circumstances of the sighting or whether there was any damage.

Nasu 富岡, Tochigi

On the afternoon of the 13th, one bear was sighted near the Komukai community hall in Nanbu Town. The report describes a local sighting in the area.

Nanbu Komukai, Aomori