A series of bear sightings in downtown Utsunomiya over the weekend prompted authorities to close all 94 municipal elementary and junior high schools on Monday. These were the first recorded bear sightings in the city center, according to local officials. More than 20 reports described a bear moving through government and commercial areas. Consequently, the city established a dangerous wildlife headquarters and urged residents to stay vigilant.
The first bear sightings occurred on Saturday morning in the Nagaoka district, about 3 kilometers north of JR Utsunomiya Station. A small bear, roughly 60 centimeters long, appeared in a wooded area. Later that evening, a bear about one meter long was spotted slightly further south. Moreover, security cameras near Orion Street Mall captured footage of the animal crossing in front of pedestrians early Sunday. As a result, the bear sightings intensified through the weekend, culminating in a report early Monday just 500 meters from a junior high school.
The Utsunomiya city board of education made the decision to close all municipal schools on Monday. Six Tochigi prefectural schools within the city also decided to close. “We made this decision with the safety of students as our top priority,” the board said. Meanwhile, authorities believe the bear is likely a single individual, and they are considering emergency hunting or tranquilizer darts. No injuries have been reported so far.
The bear sightings shifted from north to south, moving deeper into the urban core. Tochigi prefectural police confirmed sightings near the government office and along Orion Street Mall. The city’s first-ever downtown bear encounter underscores the growing challenge of wildlife venturing into populated areas. For now, officials continue monitoring the situation closely. They have urged residents to remain cautious and report any further sightings immediately. The response marks a rare urban wildlife emergency for the region.
