Cities & Towns · Hokkaido
Hamatombetsu Brown Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Hamatombetsu, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Hamatombetsu has been seeing brown bear sign right on town roads, and the latest report came on November 4, 2025 in Hamatonbetsu Usotan, where a local dairy farmer saw 1 brown bear crossing the road. Earlier in the same run of reports, a driver in Hamatonbetsu Asaigaoka 4 chome watched 1 brown bear peeking from a thicket on October 29, 2025 before it moved west.
The busiest ground has been around Hamatonbetsu itself, with more signs turning up in Yasubetsu, Kanegaoka, Toyokanbetsu, and Chifuku 2 chome, along with sightings and tracks on roads and beside wooded edges. Activity peaked in September 2025 with 55 incidents, stayed high in July 2025 with 41 and August 2025 with 30, and then eased to 6 in October 2025 and 1 in November 2025; this area has recorded 320 brown bear sightings overall.
Hamatombetsu Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Comments (1)
The dairy farmers are reporting sightings right on town roads in early October - that's multiple encounters in the same week across different sections.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Hamatombetsu
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Hamatombetsu?
Hamatombetsu has 320 recorded bear incidents in total, but no activity has been reported in the last 30 days. Bear activity varies seasonally, so always check the latest status before hiking or spending time outdoors.
When and where was the latest bear incident in Hamatombetsu?
The most recent bear sighting in Hamatombetsu was on November 4, 2025 in Hamatonbetsu Usotan, Hokkaido, where 1 Brown Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Hamatombetsu?
Recent bear sightings in Hamatombetsu have been concentrated in Hamatonbetsu (41), Hamatonbetsu Usotan (18), Hamatonbetsu Kanegaoka (15). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Hamatombetsu?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Hamatombetsu?
Hamatombetsu is home to brown bears (Ussuri brown bear), which can weigh up to 500kg and are found only in Hokkaido. They are active from spring through autumn. Always carry bear bells and bear spray when hiking.