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Bear map of Iwate 2026

About this map and how to read the numbers

This map shows, one by one from news reports, incidents in which people were injured or killed by bears and in which bears entered houses, shops and other buildings. The colour of each prefecture is the number of sightings compiled by the Ministry of the Environment (preliminary figures). In FY2025 sightings exceeded 50,000 and attacks on people reached a record high. In FY2026 there have again been attacks from Tohoku to the Kinki and Chugoku regions.

Bear sightings are life-and-death information. This map is made so that you can see the situation across Japan at a glance and check exact locations on each prefecture's page.

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List (newest first, 35 in total)

2026-08-29 · Shizukuishi

Person scouting fishing spot hurt, bone broken

Riverbank of the Kakkonda River, Nishine
2026-08-25 · Shizukuishi

Bear sighting reported near Shizukuishi town gymnasium

Near the town gymnasium (close to a high school and a junior high school)
2026-08-06 · Morioka

Three bears seen near Yupias in Morioka

Near Yupias
2026-08-04 · Tanohata

Person seriously injured in woods, Tanohata

Mountain forest in Okuchi
2026-07-31 · Morioka

Bear sighting near Morioka Hachimangu Shrine

Near Morioka Hachimangu Shrine
2026-07-27 · Noda

Foreign hiker attacked and injured on the Michinoku Coastal Trail

Mountain forest in Tamagawa (on the Michinoku Coastal Trail)
2026-07-26 · Ichinoseki

Signs of a bear found in Shimosugaosawa, Genbicho

Shimosugaosawa, Genbicho
2026-07-24 · Hachimantai

Person working near a field attacked and injured

Near a field in Magata
2026-07-19 · Tono

Person injured while farming in a paddy

Rice paddy in Miyamori
2026-07-16 · Hachimantai

Person attacked after working in a cowshed

Near a cowshed in Katabira
2026-07-14 · Shizukuishi

Bear breaks into Shizukuishi sweets workshop, eats doughnuts

Japanese confectionery workshop in the town
2026-07-12 · Shizukuishi

Bear enters the same house four times in seven days

A house in the town
2026-07-01 · Morioka

Bear seen in Tsunagi, Morioka

Tsunagi
2026-06-19 · Ichinoseki

One bear cub seen in Sanseki, Ichinoseki

Sotoyaoki, Sanseki
2026-06-18 · Ichinohe

Person slightly injured on a mountain, Ichinohe

In the mountains, Torigoe district
2026-06-15 · Kanegasaki

One Asian black bear seen in Shimodate, Nagasawa, Kanegasaki

Shimodate, Nagasawa
2026-06-12 · Morioka

Bear seen in Tamayama, Morioka

Tamayama
2026-06-09 · Hanamaki

Person attacked and injured near a gateball court

Near a gateball court in Kitanarushima, Towa
2026-05-31 · Kamaishi

Bear breaks through a screen door and enters a house in Kamaishi

House in Ogawa-cho
2026-05-30 · Hanamaki

Repeated bear sightings near Hanamaki Airport

Near Hanamaki Airport
2026-05-25 · Kuji

Bear sighting near Kuji City Hall

Near Kuji City Hall
2026-05-23 · Otsuchi

Pet cat in Otsuchi may have been eaten by a bear

A house in the town
2026-05-20 · Nishiwaga

Body of person found near Nishiwaga river

Kozunagisawa district, near a mountain river
2026-05-14 · Morioka

Bear stays on Iwate University grounds; classes cancelled

Iwate University (Ueda Campus) grounds
2026-05-14 · Morioka

Bear seen near Honcho police box and in Uchimaru, Morioka

Near Honcho police box, Uchimaru
2026-05-14 · Morioka

Bear on the Iwate University campus, Morioka

Iwate University campus
2026-05-13 · Miyako

Bear sighting reported near Miyako Nishi Junior High School

Near Miyako Nishi Junior High School
2026-05-10 · Morioka

Two bears reported in Hachimancho, Morioka

Road in Hachimancho
2026-05-07 · Hachimantai

Person who went to gather wild plants found dead

Nishine district
2026-05-07 · Hanamaki

One adult Asian black bear seen in Koji, Ishidoriyacho

Koji, Ishidoriyacho (district 8)
2026-04-27 · Hanamaki

Bear seen near a sports park in Matsuzonocho, Hanamaki

Matsuzonocho
2026-04-21 · Shiwa

Police officer searching for missing person seriously hurt

Stream in Yamaya Nabesawa
2026-04-21 · Shiwa

Body of person found in Shiwa; bear attack

Stream in Yamaya Nabesawa
2026-04-21 · Miyako

Bear sighted near Niisato Elementary School, Miyako

Near Niisato Elementary School
2026-04-15 · Morioka

Two bears seen north of Midorigaoka Elementary School

North of Midorigaoka Elementary School
How each prefecture is shown, with links to prefectural bear pages

What this map shows

This map shows, one at a time, incidents in which bears injured or killed people, bears entered buildings, and bears were seen in towns, based on news reports and announcements by local governments and the police.

The colour and number for each prefecture are the Ministry of the Environment's provisional sighting counts. Tap a point or an item in the list to see its date, place and source.

Questions and answers

What are the points on the map based on?

News articles and announcements by public bodies such as local governments and the police. Each item links to its source.

Where do the sighting counts by prefecture come from?

They are the Ministry of the Environment's provisional figures from its bear information page. Hokkaido does not publish a sighting count, so it has no number.

How often is the map updated?

Every morning, new reports and announcements are checked and added. The Ministry's provisional figures are reflected after the Ministry updates them.

When do bears hibernate in Japan?

According to the Ministry of the Environment, generally from December to February, with activity from March to November. Warm winters and regional differences can shift the timing.

Can bears appear in November, December or winter?

Yes. In fiscal 2025 Gunma Prefecture recorded 289 sightings in November, 57 in December and 13 in January. The prefecture says not every bear hibernates.

What should I do if I meet a bear?

The Ministry of the Environment says: do not approach it, stay calm and back away slowly while keeping the bear in sight, and do not shout, throw things, or turn your back and run.

Can I take bear spray on a plane?

No. Bear spray cannot be carried on or checked into aircraft, so find a place to buy or rent it after you land (National Parks of Japan / Ministry of the Environment).

Bears in Iwate (FY2026)

This map shows 35 incidents and posts in Iwate (3 deaths, 9 injuries, 3 bears entering buildings, 20 sightings), each with its date, place and source. The Ministry of the Environment's provisional count for Iwate (Apr–Aug) is 4,837 sightings, the 1st highest of the prefectures that publish one.

Sources: Ministry of the Environment (Japanese), and the news or official report for each item in the list.

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