เส้นทางเดินป่า Ishioka-Tsuruoka

Environment: Near a park / Size: Adult

Nanyo 中央東, Yamagata

On Tuesday, June 16 at approximately 1:15 p.m., a witness (male in his 40s) observed one bear (about 1 m in body length) in Jinga-mae area, Atezaka, Fukushima City. The bear headed toward the river to the north and its subsequent whereabouts are unknown.

Fukushima Zainiwasaka, Fukushima

Environment: Road / Size: Adult (full-grown)

Nishikawa, Yamagata

Sighted a bear approximately 1 m in body length on the road / Environment: roadway / Size: adult

Yamagata Minamihango, Yamagata

One bear was sighted on a road in Zao-Hangou, Yamagata City.

Yamagata Higashihango, Yamagata

On Tuesday, June 16 at around 7:00 a.m., in the Yayoi area of Kuroiwa, Fukushima City, a witness observed one animal believed to be a bear (body length unknown) leaving through the forest on the east side of a municipal road heading toward the Abukuma River. There were no human injuries or property damage.

Fukushima Kuroiwa, Fukushima

Environment: Near residential area / Size: Juvenile

Nishikawa 大字沼山, Yamagata

Moved along a small path beside a house near the intersection of National Route 13 bypass and the old road in the Kanze (Kambe?) area of Kaminoyama City toward the National Route 13 bypass. / Environment: near residences / Size: adult

Kaminoyama 東金瓶, Yamagata

On Tuesday, June 16 at approximately 4:25 a.m., in the Ogawasaki area of Oari, Yoshima-machi, Iwaki City, a witness (male in his 60s) driving a vehicle observed one animal believed to be a bear (approximately 1 meter in body length) crossing the road.

Iwaki 好間町大利, Fukushima

Environment: Road / Size: Adult (fully grown)

Nanyo 上野, Yamagata

One bear was sighted on a road in Zao-Hangou, Yamagata City.

Yamagata Higashihango, Yamagata

Spotted a bear approximately 1 meter in body length on the road / Environment: road / Size: adult

Yamagata Minamihango, Yamagata

One bear was sighted crossing the road on National Route 115 in Matsukawa-machi Mizuhara, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Matsukawamachi-Mizuhara, Fukushima

Sighted near the old Route 13 and the Route 13 Nakayama Bypass. / Environment: Road / Size: Adult

Kaminoyama 川口, Yamagata

Environment: Road / Size: Adult (mature)

Takahata 大字安久津, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in a wooded area in Sugisawa, Yamagata City.

Yamagata Sugesawa, Yamagata

Time of incident: estimated / Environment: forest / Size: adult

Tsuruoka, Yamagata

Moved down the slope toward the east / Environment: mixed broadleaf forest / Size: adult

Yamagata Sugesawa, Yamagata

In a mountain area of Tamugimata, Tsuruoka City, a 39-year-old man was attacked by one bear while gathering bamboo shoots and suffered injuries to his left arm. He used bear spray and drove the bear away.

Tsuruoka, Yamagata

On Saturday, June 13 at approximately 3:50 p.m., a witness (male in his 30s) spotted one bear (about 1 m in length) inside a park in Uenodera, Kamihiraba area, Fukushima City. The bear then left heading west.

Fukushima Futagozuka, Fukushima

On Saturday, June 13 at around 3:25 p.m., on a municipal road in Minamimukoudai 3-chome, Fukushima City, an eyewitness (male in his 80s) driving a vehicle spotted two bears (each about 1.5 m in body length). The bears subsequently left heading west.

Fukushima Oguraji, Fukushima

Environment: Road / Size: Juvenile

Takahata 大字下和田, Yamagata

At around 12:25 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, in the fields in Fujikubo, Sekiya, Matsukawa-machi, Fukushima City, a witness (male, in his teens) saw one bear (approximately 1 meter in body length) crossing the fields near Kanayagawa Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line while he was walking. The bear then departed south from that location.

Fukushima Kanayagawa, Fukushima

Two bears about 1.5 meters long were sighted on a city road in Minamimukai-dai 3-chome, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Oguraji, Fukushima

At around 3:50 PM on 2026-06-13, a bear was sighted in Uwanodera Kamihiraba, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Futagozuka, Fukushima

An animal resembling a bear crossed the road. / Environment: Near residential area / Size: Unknown

Yamanobe 大字北垣, Yamagata

On Friday, June 12 at about 5:15 p.m., on a village road in Oyama Aza Atago, Otama Village, a male witness riding a bicycle toward Nihonmatsu City spotted one bear (about 1 m in body length) walking toward him.

Otama, Fukushima

Habitat: forest / Size: adult

Yonezawa Banseicho-Kariyasu, Yamagata

One bear about 1 m in body length was moving toward the mountain. / Environment: mixed broadleaf forest / Size: adult

Yamagata Murakizawa, Yamagata

A bear was sighted in Murakizawa, Yamagata City, on June 12 in the morning.

Yamagata Minorigaoka, Yamagata

Around 4:00 PM today, one bear about 1 meter long was spotted in Kariyasu, Bansho-machi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Yonezawa Banseicho-Kariyasu, Yamagata

Around noon on Friday, June 12, within the Yamanaka area of Nukazawa, Motomiya City, on Prefectural Route Nihonmatsu-Kanaya, a witness (male in his 20s) driving a vehicle observed one animal believed to be a bear (about 1 m in body length) walking toward Motomiya on the road.

Motomiya 仁井田, Fukushima

Environment: Near human residences / Size: Adult

Yonezawa Fukuda, Yamagata

On Thursday, June 11 at approximately 2:55 a.m., on National Route 13 in Funaba-cho, Fukushima City, a witness (male in his 20s) driving a vehicle observed one animal believed to be a bear crossing the road (about 50 cm in body length). There were no human injuries or property damage.

Fukushima Minamimachi, Fukushima

An animal thought to be a bear was sighted crossing Route 13 in Funaba-cho, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Minamimachi, Fukushima

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult

Yonezawa Sekine, Yamagata

Environment: Near houses / Size: Adult

Sakata 黒森, Yamagata

On Wednesday, June 10 at approximately 1:20 p.m., in the Suwayama area of Kuroiwa, Fukushima City, on a municipal road, a witness (female in her 20s) observed one animal believed to be a bear (about 1 meter in body length) crossing the road while traveling by vehicle.

Fukushima Kuroiwa, Fukushima

Size: unknown

Nishikawa, Yamagata

Environment: Road / Size: Juvenile

Yonezawa Banseicho-Ushimori, Yamagata

Fled toward the northeast / Environment: Farmland / Size: Unknown

Kaminoyama 須田板, Yamagata

A bear about 1 m in length was sighted in a grove of mixed trees. / Environment: mixed woodland / Size: adult

Yamagata Matsubara, Yamagata

One bear, about 1.2 meters long, was sighted in Sekine, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Yonezawa Sekine, Yamagata

On Tuesday, June 9 at around 2:00 p.m., in a field in Uenakashima, Sasakino, Fukushima City, a caller (male in his 70s) discovered footprints believed to be from a bear. When Fukushima City Hall staff arrived and inspected the scene, they confirmed the tracks were from a bear.

Fukushima Kaminodera, Fukushima

Bear tracks were found in a field in Nagabayashi, Machinobasaka, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Shimonodera, Fukushima

On Tuesday, June 9 at approximately 11:40 a.m., in a field within Osanabayashi area, Machinibasaka, Fukushima City, the reporter (male) discovered footprints believed to be from a bear. Fukushima City Hall staff responded to the scene and confirmed that the tracks were from a bear.

Fukushima Shimonodera, 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

A dark object believed to be a bear climbed a tree / Environment: Near houses / Size: Unknown

Yonezawa Hosenmachi, Yamagata

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 bear (body length 1 m) was sighted south of the Kamo Community Disaster Prevention Center. It then crossed National Route 112 from east to west and went into the mountains. / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 加茂, Yamagata

Environment: Road / Size: Adult

Yonezawa Fukuda, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in Ota-machi, Yonezawa City, crossing the road from west to east.

Yonezawa Fukuda, Yamagata

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

Environment: Road / Size: Adult

Yonezawa Kiwada, Yamagata

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

A bear was sighted in Uchimachi, Machinaiwazaka, Fukushima City around 8:20 PM on June 8.

Fukushima Futagozuka, Fukushima

Environment: Road / Size: Adult

Yonezawa Banseicho-Kariyasu, Yamagata

Environment: road / Size: young animal

Tsuruoka 下清水, Yamagata

One bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Hosencho, Yonezawa City.

Yonezawa Hosenmachi, Yamagata

Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 行沢, Yamagata

One bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Ekimae 1-chome, Yonezawa City.

Yonezawa Shimohanazawa, Yamagata

Environment: On the railway tracks / Size: Adult

Yonezawa Shimohanazawa, Yamagata

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

Environment: Road / Size: Unknown

Takahata 大字竹森, Yamagata

Observed walking / Environment: Agricultural land / Size: Adult

Kaminoyama 金瓶, Yamagata

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

Two bears were seen crossing a city road in Shiraiwa-machi, Koriyama City.

Koriyama 白岩町, Fukushima

On Friday, June 5 at approximately 7:12 PM, on a municipal road in Yamanochi, Shiraiwa-machi, Koriyama City, a witness driving a vehicle observed two bears (each about 1 m in length).

Koriyama 白岩町, Fukushima

Two bears, about 1 m in length, were sighted crossing in front of a car on a city road in Shiwamachi Yamanouchi, Koriyama.

Koriyama 白岩町, Fukushima

Body length about 1 m, returned toward the mountains / Environment: farmland / Size: adult

Sagae 大字清助新田, Yamagata

Environment: riverbed / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 中野新田, Yamagata

Size: cub/juvenile

Yonezawa Naoe-sekitei, Yamagata

One bear (body length 0.7 m) was sighted moving along the Akagawa River from the Haguro area toward the urban area. / Environment: riverbed / Size: juvenile

Tsuruoka 羽黒町赤川, Yamagata

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

One bear was sighted around 6:00 in Isehara-machi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Tsuruoka 伊勢横内, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in Naoeishizutsumi, Yonezawa City.

Yonezawa Naoe-sekitei, Yamagata

An animal thought to be a bear was seen in the bushes in Uchigo-uchimachi Sakuramoto, Iwaki City.

Iwaki 内郷内町, Fukushima

In Nagatsuki, Uchigo-Hakusui Town, Iwaki City, a teenage boy saw one bear-like animal while riding a bicycle.

Iwaki 常磐湯本町, Fukushima

A male high school student sighted one bear-like animal in bushes in Uchigo-Shirasu-machi, Iwaki City.

Iwaki 内郷白水町, Fukushima

On Thursday, June 4 at approximately 9:00 p.m., in Sakuramoto, Uchigo-cho, Iwaki City, a male in his teens, while riding a bicycle, sighted one animal believed to be a bear (about 1 meter in body length) in some brush. The animal believed to be a bear ran off toward the mountain to the east.

Iwaki 内郷内町, Fukushima

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

Environment: around human habitation / Size: juvenile

Yonezawa Sekine, Yamagata

Environment: riverbed / Size: adult

Takahata 大字中島, Yamagata

Around 4:30 PM on 2026-06-04, one bear was sighted in Sekine, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. It was estimated to be about 80 cm long.

Yonezawa Sekine, Yamagata

A bear-like animal was sighted in Uchigo-Shiramizu-machi Nagatsuki, Iwaki City.

Iwaki 常磐湯本町, Fukushima

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

Fukushima Sakurashimo, Fukushima

A bear-like animal was sighted in a thicket in Uchigo-uchimachi, Iwaki City.

Iwaki 内郷内町, 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

An animal like a bear moved from the farmland toward the mountains to the south. / Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult and cub

Yamagata Shiromori, Yamagata

Lurking at Izumi Shrine on the grounds of Shofukuji Temple in Tsuruoka City. / Environment: Around residences / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 勝福寺, Yamagata

One bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Onagahara, Tsuruoka City.

Tsuruoka 遠賀原, Yamagata

Observed one bear crossing National Route 112 from west to east. It was later believed to have headed toward the Ongahara area. / Environment: near residential houses / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 外内島, Yamagata

One bear (about 1 m in body length) was sighted approximately 300 m west of Sai Elementary School. It is believed to have then headed toward the Shōfukuji area. / Environment: near residences / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 斎藤川原, Yamagata

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

One bear was sighted crossing a road in Shimoyamazoe, Tsuruoka City.

Tsuruoka 下山添, Yamagata

Two bear-like animals were sighted in Togami-mae, Yamagata City.

Yamagata Togamimae, Yamagata

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

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

One bear was seen entering a shrine precinct in Katsufukuji, Tsuruoka City.

Tsuruoka 勝福寺, Yamagata

One bear-like animal was sighted on a road in Izumicho, Yamagata City.

Yamagata Ochiaimachi, Yamagata

Witnessed a bear-like animal on the road / Environment: near residences / Size: adult

Yamagata Ochiaimachi, Yamagata

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

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

Around 7:00 on June 2, a bear was sighted walking on a levee near houses in Aoyama, Mikawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture.

Mikawa 大字青山, Yamagata

Was walking on top of the embankment / Environment: riverbed / Size: unknown

Mikawa 大字青山, Yamagata

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

Around 6:00 on June 2, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted near a rice paddy in Yunozawa, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture.

Tsuruoka 湯野沢, Yamagata

One bear (body length about 1 m) was sighted near rice paddies on the south side of the Yunozawa area. / Environment: around houses / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 湯野沢, Yamagata

Observed one bear (body length 1 m) moving east through the rice fields. / Environment: farmland / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 民田, Yamagata

Observed one bear (body length 1.0 m) moving north across an open lot. / Environment: farmland / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 民田, Yamagata

A 1-meter bear was sighted walking in a rice paddy in Takasaka, Tsuruoka City, around 7:30 a.m.

Tsuruoka 高坂, Yamagata

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

Fukushima Yashimada, Fukushima

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

A person observed an animal believed to be a bear or a wild boar on a mountainside within the Shimokawa area. Afterward, it moved south (toward Yunohama Country Club). / Environment: near houses / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 下川, Yamagata

One bear (body length unknown) sighted on the trail inside Takadate-yama / Environment: forest / Size: unknown

Tsuruoka 金沢, Yamagata

On June 1 (Monday) at around 6:30 a.m., near the entrance on the Fukushima Prefecture side of the Higashikuriko Tunnel on National Route 13 in Nakano, Iizaka Town, Fukushima City, a witness (male, in his 60s) spotted one bear (approximately 1 m in length) at the roadside while driving.

Fukushima, Fukushima

A sighting of one bear beside the road near the Fukushima-side entrance of the Higashi-Akiko Tunnel on National Route 13 in Iizaka-machi Nakano, Fukushima City.

Fukushima, Fukushima

Environment: Near residences / Size: Adult

Nanyo 宮内, Yamagata

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

Environment: road / Size: young animal

Yonezawa Banseicho-Kariyasu, Yamagata

Environment: Road / Size: Adult and cub

Nishikawa 大字入間, Yamagata

Environment: Road / Size: Adult and cub

Nishikawa, Yamagata

Environment: Near human dwellings / Size: Adult and cub

Nishikawa 大字原, Yamagata

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

Environment: Road / Size: Adult

Sakata 坂野辺新田, Yamagata

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

Environment: Near residences / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 中野新田, Yamagata

Before 6:00 on 2026-05-27, a bear was reported sighted in Nagado, Yamagata City.

Yamagata Hasedo, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in Kumade, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata, and then moved toward the western mountain area.

Tsuruoka 熊出, Yamagata

A bear was sighted in Kuromori, Sakata City.

Sakata 黒森, Yamagata

Size: Adult

Sakata 黒森, Yamagata

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

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

Size: Unknown

Yonezawa Toyamamachi, Yamagata

Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult

Takahata 大字馬頭, Yamagata

Environment: Near residences / Size: Adult

Nishikawa 大字入間, Yamagata

Size: Adult

Yonezawa Banseicho-Kanaya, Yamagata

One bear (body length 1 m) was sighted moving from north to south on the road in front of Yamagata Prefectural Citizens’ Sea/Pool “Sparl”. / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 下川, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in Katako, Mansei-machi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata.

Yonezawa Banseicho-Katako, Yamagata

A bear was sighted in Kamiango, Yamada-machi, Iwaki City.

Iwaki 山田町, Fukushima

On Sunday, May 24 at around 3:20 p.m., in Yamada-machi, Kamiyasugyo area, Iwaki City, in the Tabatagawa area, a witness out for a walk observed one bear (about 1 meter in body length) standing on the ridge between rice paddies. No human or property damage has been confirmed.

Iwaki 山田町, Fukushima

Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 大網, Yamagata

Size: Adult

Nanyo 上野, Yamagata

Size: Unknown

Takahata 大字亀岡, Yamagata

Size: Adult

Sakata 広岡新田, Yamagata

Observed one bear (body length 1 m) crossing the road northward in front of the Ibarashinden Sand Dune Field Production Management Association Center. / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 茨新田, Yamagata

One bear (condition unknown) was sighted near the former Mankō-en. It climbed up onto the road. / Size: unknown

Tsuruoka 湯野浜, Yamagata

A Japanese black bear was sighted on a paddy-field path in Kaminagagyo, Yamada-cho, Iwaki City, on May 24.

Iwaki 山田町, Fukushima

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

A single bear (body length 1 m) was sighted near the west side of the Prefectural Citizens’ Sea/Pool “Spal” in Yamagata Prefecture. It crossed the road and headed northeast. / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 下川, Yamagata

Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult

Nishikawa 大字原, Yamagata

On Saturday, May 23 at around 12:40 p.m., in a woodland area in Hirakiuchi, Sugaya, Takine-machi, Tamura City, a male witness spotted one animal believed to be a bear (approximately 1 m in body length) while driving. The direction in which the animal thought to be a bear departed is unknown.

Tamura Takinemachi-Sugaya, Fukushima

A single bear (about 1.5 m in length) was sighted on the cycling road south of Yunohama Elementary School. It headed toward the mountain. / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 湯野浜, Yamagata

Body length about 1 m; fled deeper into the mountains / Size: adult

Sagae 大字高松, Yamagata

A bear about 1 meter long was sighted on the walkway at Bengeizawa in the Kamo district of Tsuruoka, and moved toward the mountains.

Tsuruoka 加茂, Yamagata

One bear (about 1 m in body length) was sighted on the pedestrian path within Benkeisawa. It then headed toward the mountain. / Size: adult

Tsuruoka 加茂, Yamagata

One bear (approximately 1.5 m in body length) was sighted on the road in front of Yunohama dog run. It later moved toward Shonai Airport. / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 下川, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in the Jionji area of Sagae City.

Sagae 大字慈恩寺, Yamagata

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

Size: Adult

Yonezawa Sekine, Yamagata

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

On Friday, May 22 at around 11:00 a.m., in the Enbu area of Nakano, Iizaka-machi, Fukushima City, a witness (male, in his 50s) spotted a bear (one, about 1 m in body length) in the brush beside a municipal road while driving. The bear left the area and went into the forested mountains to the west.

Fukushima Iizakamachi-Nakano, Fukushima

Size: Adult

Yonezawa Minamihara-Inawashiromachi, Yamagata

One bear was sighted in Nambara Inawashirocho, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. It was estimated to be about 1 meter long.

Yonezawa Minamihara-Inawashiromachi, Yamagata

Around 11:00 on 2026-05-22, a bear about 1 meter long was sighted in Nakanoenbu, Iizakamachi, Fukushima City.

Fukushima Iizakamachi-Nakano, Fukushima

One bear (approximately 1 m in body length) was sighted near Ikoi-no-Mura Forest Park. It later moved north. / Size: Adult

Tsuruoka 下川, Yamagata

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

At around 07:30 on May 21, 2026, an animal resembling a bear was sighted in Matsubara, Yamagata City. The article is partially behind a paywall and detailed information about the sighting was not provided.

Yamagata Matsubara, Yamagata

A bear-like animal was sighted on the mountain slope / Size: adult

Yamagata Matsubara, Yamagata

Size: Unknown

Yonezawa Fukuda, Yamagata

A municipal employee on patrol discovered a bear occupying a cherry orchard / Size: juvenile

Sagae 大字八鍬, Yamagata

Witnessed on the way back from fishing

Fukushima Kuroiwa, Fukushima

A municipal employee discovered it on patrol inside the premises of Akebono Brake / Size: adult

Sagae 中央工業団地, Yamagata

On May 20, 2026 at about 14:50, two bears about 1 meter long were sighted in the Chuo Industrial Park in Sagae City; they were reported moving from near the Chateraise factory toward the TPR factory.

Sagae 中央工業団地, Yamagata

On the afternoon of the 20th, a bear was sighted in the central industrial park of Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture; about 30 minutes later city staff saw two bears near a neighboring factory, and around 16:30 there was another bear sighting at a different factory. The city believes the bears likely left the industrial park, firefighters are searching with drones, and after sunset they plan to contain and capture any bears found.

Sagae 中央工業団地, Yamagata

Moved from the area near the Châteraisé factory toward the TPR Industrial area / Size: adult and juvenile

Sagae 中央工業団地, Yamagata

Size: Adult

Sagae 中央工業団地, Yamagata

Body length 1 m; walked away heading into the mountains on the north side / Size: adult

Sagae 大字日和田, Yamagata

Size: Adult

Yonezawa Fukuda, Yamagata

Around 22:00 on May 19, a driver in Ono Town, Oaza Iide Aza Nagakubo, sighted an animal believed to be a bear about 1.5 meters long. The animal left toward the eastern forest; no human injuries were reported and police have urged local residents to be cautious.

Ono Iitoyo, Fukushima

On Tuesday, May 19 at around 10:00 PM, a male witness sighted one animal believed to be a bear (approximately 1.5 m in length) on a town road in Nagakubo, Iide, Ono-machi. The bear then departed into the woodland to the east.

Ono Iitoyo, Fukushima

A bear-like animal (size unknown, juvenile) was sighted in the Numemeji/Miyata area. It appeared to be heading northeast. / Size: juvenile

Tsuruoka 布目, Yamagata

At about 6:36 p.m. on May 19, an animal believed to be a bear (approximately 1 to 1.5 m in body length) was sighted in Masaku area, Sugaya Aza, Takine-machi, Tamura City. The animal believed to be a bear left for nearby woodland.

Tamura Ogoemachi-Kuride, Fukushima

On May 19 at approximately 6:35 p.m., an animal believed to be a bear (body length about 1 to 1.5 meters) was sighted in the Kitanochi area of Kuride, Ōgoshi-machi, Tamura City. The animal believed to be a bear left the area and returned to nearby mountain forest.

Tamura Ogoemachi-Kuride, Fukushima

At approximately 1:10 p.m. on May 19, animals believed to be bears (each about 1.0 to 1.5 m in length) were sighted in the Nagashi-ta area, Kadosawa, Funahiki-machi, Tamura City. The animals believed to be bears left for the nearby forested mountains.

Tamura Funehikimachi-Kunugiyama, Fukushima

At around 11:25 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, an animal believed to be a bear (approximately 1 m in length) was sighted in the Sodehara area, Horikoshi, Funahiki-machi, Tamura City. The animal believed to be a bear left toward nearby woodland. There were four other similar sightings in the area on Monday, May 18 from around 7:20 p.m., in Monju and Horikoshi, Funahiki-machi, Tamura City.

Tamura Funehikimachi-Kunugiyama, Fukushima

In Tamura City, Funabiki-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, a bear-like animal about 1 meter long was sighted multiple times from the evening of the 18th into the morning of the 19th. No damage to people or property has been confirmed so far, and the police are urging caution.

Tamura Funehikimachi-Monju, Fukushima

On Monday, May 18 at approximately 4:45 PM, in Nashinokidaira, Shōji, Miharu Town, a witness (male) observed a bear (about 1 m in body length) crossing the road while driving. The bear subsequently left toward the forested area on the east side.

Miharu 大字庄司, Fukushima

On May 18 (Monday) at around 3:00 PM, a witness (male) spotted one bear (about 1 m in body length) in a fallow field in Nishinochi, Sasayama, Funabiki-machi, Tamura City while driving. The bear later left toward the forested area to the south.

Tamura Funehikimachi-Kanameta, Fukushima

In Sasayama, Funabiki-machi, Tamura City, around 3:00 p.m. on May 18, 2026, one bear approximately 1 meter long was sighted. No injuries or damage to property have been confirmed so far, and police are urging caution.

Tamura Funehikimachi-Kanameta, Fukushima

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

One bear-like animal was sighted in the scrub woodland beside the road (under the bridge) / Size: adult

Yamagata Kurosawa, Yamagata

One bear-like animal was sighted in a woodland in Miharashi no Oka, Yamagata City.

Yamagata Kurosawa, Yamagata

Around 06:30 on 2026-05-18, one bear-like animal was sighted in a grove in Miharaishi-no-oka, Yamagata City. The city closed a nearby observation deck and used public announcement vehicles to warn local residents.

Yamagata Kurosawa, Yamagata