เส้นทางขับรถ Obanazawa-Hanamaki

Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult

Mamurogawa Nozoki, Yamagata

Witnessed one bear believed to be the mother and two cubs; sizes unknown. Direction in which they left is unknown.

Yokote 睦成, Akita

A bear was sighted in Jonancho, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, around 14:35 on 2026-06-07.

Yokote Shirominami-machi, Akita

Moved through the rice fields and entered the grounds of a vacant house.

Yokote 十文字町腕越, Akita

A bear that had been missing since the morning was seen emerging from nearby woods. The bear moved toward the Chūō housing complex and the Jūmonji Nursery School area. Its whereabouts after that are unknown.

Yokote 十文字町梨木, Akita

[Report] While working in the fields, an almost 1-meter-long young bear ran off toward Yamada Elementary School.

Yuzawa 字上下舘, Akita

While heading north from Okutsumi toward Yunozawa, a cub was in the middle of the road. Startled by the car, it ran into the thicket growing on the mountain slope.

Nishiwaga Yunosawa, Iwate

Crossed the road about 500 m before the Jūmonji Interchange tollbooth toward the Yokote side.

Yokote 十文字町, Akita

[Report] While traveling on the Tohoku-Chuo Expressway from Yokote toward Yuzawa, an adult bear crossed from the west to the east (toward National Route 13). (Posting may be delayed due to heavy traffic to the site.)

Yokote 十文字町梨木, Akita

[Post] (No description of circumstances)

Yokote 十文字町十五野新田, Akita

Witnessed entering the brush (woods) on a highway embankment. Body length 70–80 cm.

Yokote 十文字町梨木, Akita

While driving from the Nashinoki three-way junction toward Nishihara, I saw someone walking.

Yokote 十文字町西原二番町, Akita

A woman driving on National Route 13 in Nashi, Jūmonji-machi, Yokote City, spotted one bear crossing the road westward.

Yokote 十文字町梨木, Akita

[Report] While thinning apple trees, a bear about 1 meter long ran toward the railroad (west) about 10 meters in front of me. It quickly crossed the tracks and disappeared.

Yokote 十文字町梨木, Akita

A farmer working in an apple orchard spotted a single bear about 1 m in body length at a distance of roughly 20 m. The bear then went off toward the woods to the east.

Yokote Sotonome, Akita

Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult

Obanazawa Oshikiri, Yamagata

A bear was sighted walking on a city road in Kamicho, Yokote City, around 4:45 p.m.

Yokote Kamiuchi-machi, Akita

Post: About 1 meter long, it headed toward the Mizuho Road direction.

Yokote Kamiuchi-machi, Akita

On 2026-06-05 around 16:30, one bear was seen moving in Yamada Yūgaoka, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture.

Yuzawa 字上下舘, Akita

A bear approximately 60 cm in body length, appearing to have just finished climbing up a slope on the road in front of the dispensing pharmacy, was observed. When it made eye contact with the observer, it descended the slope and fled eastward into a rice field. The distance to the nearest house is about 200 meters.

Yuzawa 字上下舘, Akita

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

Kitakami, Iwate

One bear about 1 meter in body length was sighted on the embankment of the Yokote River. The bear departed to the north.

Yokote Yawata, Akita

Around 17:30 on 2026-06-04, a bear was sighted in Mutsunari Otoriyama Shita, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, and it was seen moving.

Yokote Yawata, Akita

Observed a bear slowly walking north along the river-management road (the road on top of the embankment). The bear noticed a small pickup truck that came from the south and slowly entered the riverside brush. The river area is unmanaged and the brush is thick, so it was impossible to determine how the bear moved after that. The bear’s body length appeared to be about 1.4 m.

Yokote Yawata, Akita

Report: I was walking along the embankment road behind the house toward the downstream side of the Yokote River when a small pickup truck approached from behind, so I went down into the brush on the embankment; after that I could not confirm (the animal/thing).

Yokote Yawata, Akita

Environment: Farmland / Size: Juvenile

Sakegawa, Yamagata

Around 10:30 on 2026-06-04, one cub was sighted in Kawaguchi, Sakegawa Village, Yamagata Prefecture.

Sakegawa Kawaguchi, Yamagata

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

Several children (multiple) on their way home from school sighted an animal believed to be a bear and reported it fled eastward. City officials patrolled the area but did not find it. Body length unknown.

Yokote 十文字町十五野新田, Akita

At around 8:00 on June 3, a bear was seen moving in Waga-cho Yokokawame 11-chome, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture.

Kitakami Wagacho-Yokokawame, Iwate

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

Kitakami Aisaricho, Iwate

[Report] Observed one Asiatic black bear (approx. 1.2 m in body length) walking along the riverbank. The bear crossed the river and then left into the brush to the north.

Yuzawa, Akita

Environment: Forest / Size: Juvenile

Kaneyama Hoyama, Yamagata

【Post】

Yuzawa 字角間沢, Akita

A report was received of feces believed to be from an Asiatic black bear, and the scene was inspected. It was believed to be feces of an Asiatic black bear.

Yuzawa 字稲荷山, Akita

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

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Eso, Iwate

Environment: Farmland / Size: Adult

Obanazawa Gobono, Yamagata

Sighted at the railroad crossing near Kurata Factory. It ran away toward Yuzawa Station, parallel to the tracks. About 10 meters from a house.

Yuzawa 字祝田, Akita

Two bears were sighted crossing a road in Koganehara, Yuzawa City, Akita.

Yuzawa 字黄金原, Akita

A bear was sighted in Sugasawa-shinjo Sunada, Yuzawa City, and was seen moving.

Yuzawa 字祝田, Akita

[Report] Appeared near the Shinjo railroad crossing in Yuzawa City, headed along the farm road toward Yuzawa Station, crossed the tracks, and entered the Ugo Transportation parking lot. The bear believed to be the adult female is about 1.0–1.1 m in height; the bear believed to be a cub is about 0.7–0.8 m in height.

Yuzawa 字祝田, Akita

[Report] Witnessed on the opposite side of the national highway from Yuzawa-kita police box. The witness was driving and passed by quickly, so the body length, number of bears, and movements are unknown. Estimated to be within 10 meters of a house.

Yuzawa 杉沢新所, Akita

One bear was sighted at Sugisawa Mori Michiue in Yuzawa City, Akita.

Yuzawa 字黄金原, Akita

[Report] When I drove home, it ran away from in front of my house toward the grassy area. It looked small, so it appeared to be a cub. It was dark, so I couldn’t take a photo.

Yokote Akasaka, Akita

A bear was sighted moving in Waga-cho Naganuma 13-chome, Kitakami City.

Kitakami Wagacho-Naganuma, Iwate

A bear about 60 cm long was sighted near the Yuzawa High School ski jump. The bear went into the mountain. Distance to the nearest houses is about 100 meters.

Yuzawa 字東松沢, Akita

When I drove by, it stuck only its face out of the snow-melting ditch, then quickly pulled back in. At first I thought it was a raccoon dog, but its face (head) was completely black, so I posted because it might be a bear cub.

Yuzawa, Akita

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult

Kaneyama Hoyama, Yamagata

An animal believed to be a bear was sighted in Iwasaki Mori-ai, Yuzawa City.

Yuzawa, Akita

In the afternoon of 2026-05-31, a bear was sighted in Shinmachi, Yuzawa City, Akita, and was seen moving.

Yuzawa 松岡, Akita

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

Environment: Public facility / Size: Juvenile

Obanazawa, Yamagata

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult

Kaneyama, Yamagata

Two bears were sighted near the mountainside on the east side of the batting center. Their subsequent whereabouts are unknown. Distance to the nearest house: approximately 5 meters.

Yuzawa 杉沢新所, Akita

Environment: golf course, hot spring facility / Size: young cub

Funagata, Yamagata

A surveillance camera at the Asakura water level observation station near Otorii Bridge captured one bear of unknown length moving downstream along the Yokote River.

Yokote Yawata, Akita

[Report] There were footprints in the field on the property of my home.

Yuzawa 字東赤土山, Akita

There were footprints in the garden on the property.

Yuzawa 字東赤土山, Akita

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

Hanamaki Kaminitanai, Iwate

Captured / Environment: Forest / Size: Adult

Kaneyama Yasuzawa, Yamagata

Around 9:00 on May 29, a bear was sighted in Akinagicho, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture.

Yokote Myoei-cho, Akita

A bear was sighted in Mutsunari Hachimandada, Yokote City, Akita on May 29 around 12:50 PM.

Yokote Yawata, Akita

Environment: Forest / Size: Juvenile

Funagata, Yamagata

Two bears (a parent and a cub) were sighted on a city road near 10 Narusawa, Narusawa, Yuzawa City. The bears fled toward the mountain to the southeast. The adult measured 1.0 m in body length; the cub measured 0.6 m. The sighting occurred about 10 m from a residential area.

Yuzawa 成沢, Akita

Environment: Forest / Size: Juvenile

Kaneyama Yamazaki, Yamagata

A cub about 50 cm long was sighted. It is unknown whether an adult bear was nearby. The bear moved toward a nearby river.

Yokote 山内土渕, Akita

A bear was sighted in Yamanouchi-Hirasawaa Iwanome, Yokote City, Akita, around 14:40 on May 27, and it was seen moving.

Yokote 山内土渕, Akita

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

Kitakami Murasakino, Iwate

[Report] Two bears in front of a house's garage

Yuzawa 岩崎, Akita

A bear emerged from the brush on the right but quickly became out of sight.

Yuzawa 成沢, Akita

Around 08:40 on May 26, a bear was sighted in Narusawa, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, and was seen moving.

Yuzawa 成沢, Akita

A bear was seen crossing a road in Kamabuchi, Mamurogawa Town.

Mamurogawa Kamabuchi, Yamagata

In the afternoon of 2026-05-26, a bear was sighted in Waga-cho Yamaguchi 46-chiwari, Kitakami, Iwate, and was seen moving.

Kitakami Wagacho-Yamaguchi, Iwate

A bear was sighted in Iwasaki Chitose, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, around 8:00 PM on 2026-05-26.

Yuzawa 岩崎, Akita

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

Hanamaki Toyosawacho, Iwate

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

Hanamaki Narita, Iwate

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

Hanamaki Kunuginome, Iwate

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

Hanamaki Tenkada, Iwate

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

Hanamaki Ishidoriyacho-Hachiman, Iwate

Size: Adult

Funagata, Yamagata

According to the tracks, it headed north from the sighting location / Size: adult

Shinjo, Yamagata

Report from a passing woman / Size: Unknown

Mamurogawa Hiraoka, Yamagata

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

Hanamaki Tenkada, Iwate

On May 20 in Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture, Tatsurou Nakajima (85), who had gone out to pick warabi, was found dead near the bank of the Sawairi River with scratch-like wounds; it is believed he was likely attacked by a nearby bear. His family found him and hunters who arrived on the scene drove the bear away.

Nishiwaga Owatari, Iwate

On May 20 an 85-year-old man who had gone to pick wild plants was found dead in a stream near his home. The body had injuries to the head and torso, and firefighters spotted one bear at the scene and on the home's grounds, so police believe he was likely attacked by a bear and are investigating.

Nishiwaga Kawashiri, Iwate

An elderly man believed to be an 85-year-old who had gone out to gather wild vegetables was found dead in a stream in Kotonasezawa (Kotsunagisawa), Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture on the morning of May 20. The body showed severe injuries, including scratches and torn clothing on the head and upper body, and a single bear was spotted near the scene, so police suspect a bear attack and are investigating.

Nishiwaga Kotsunagizawa, Iwate

Observed one cub crossing the road from south to north / Size: juvenile

Shinjo Odashima, Yamagata

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

Size: cub/juvenile

Sakegawa Kawaguchi, Yamagata

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

Hanamaki Tenkada, Iwate

On May 20, a severely damaged male body was found in a mountain stream in Kosengisawa, Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture. Fire officials said a bear was spotted nearby and the person may have been attacked.

Nishiwaga Kotsunagizawa, Iwate

A body was found in a mountain forest in Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture, and it has been reported that the person may have been attacked by a bear.

Nishiwaga Kawashiri, Iwate

Environment: Forest / Size: Adult and cub

Obanazawa Nyu, Yamagata

Size: Unknown

Funagata Tomita, Yamagata

One Asiatic black bear (Tsukinowaguma) was sighted near YUZAWA Clean Center Co., Ltd., and the police were notified. The bear ran off to the east. Police are patrolling the area. The sighting location was about 300 m from residences; the bear’s body length was 1.0 m.

Yuzawa 下関, Akita

Posted: It was sitting on the mountainside facing the road. When a car passed, it returned up the slope. Body length about 1 meter.

Yuzawa 酒蒔, Akita

A single Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) was sighted within a residential property in the village and reported to the police. The bear ran east from the area. Police patrolled the vicinity but did not locate it and there were no nearby damages. The sighting occurred a few meters from a house; the bear’s body length was about 1.0 m.

Yuzawa 松岡, Akita

Was seen entering the mountain / Size: juvenile

Shinjo Motoaikai, Yamagata

Around 11:00 on May 17, one bear was seen entering the mountain in Fukudayama, Shinjō City, Yamagata Prefecture. Based on its size, the bear is believed to be a juvenile.

Shinjo Fukuda, Yamagata

Size: Adult

Shinjo Tsunozawa, Yamagata

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

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

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

[Post] [No description of the situation]

Yokote Yanagida, Akita

[Report] While resting in the car, I spotted a bear heading toward the municipal baseball stadium. [Yokote City Agriculture and Forestry Maintenance Division note] The location information is clearly incorrect, so the point on the map is provisional. It is unknown whether this is the old Yokote Municipal Stadium in Yokote Park or another municipal stadium.

Yokote 1-chome, Akita

Around 09:30 on May 14, 2026, a bear about 50 cm long was sighted on a town road in Suginomiya-Shuku, Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture. The nearest house was about 20 meters away, and Yuzawa police have warned residents to be cautious.

Ugo, Akita

A juvenile bear was observed walking on the grounds of a private residence.

Ugo, Akita

A police officer on patrol spotted a bear near the restrooms in Ōtori Park. The bear went down the slope once but then returned and entered the woods inside Ōtori Park. Its body length is about 1 meter.

Yokote Shinzaka-cho, Akita

Sighted a bear crossing the Ōtorii Bridge near Asakura Elementary School. Body length about 1 m.

Yokote Yawata, Akita

A single bear about 1 m in body length was sighted in the rice field north of the Seven-Eleven Yokote Hachiman store. The distance to the nearest house is about 60 m.

Yokote Yawata, Akita

Size: Adult

Obanazawa Ashizawa, Yamagata

Size: Unknown

Oishida Kawamae, Yamagata

Size: Unknown

Oishida Kawamae, Yamagata