Cities & Towns · Hokkaido
Kitami Brown Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Kitami, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Kitami's latest troubling report came on April 22, 2026, in Tokoro cho, Kitami City, where repeated sightings of bears or bear like animals were reported in the urban area and the Tokoro branch office issued warnings by disaster radio. The day before, on April 21, 2026, a motorist on National Route 238 in Tokoro spotted 1 brown bear at about 4:20 a.m., and that same district has also seen a report on April 18 in Tosa and another on April 22 in the town area.
Most of the pressure has been around Tokoro and other settled parts of Kitami, with recent reports also coming from Rubeshibe and Kaisei. The pace was heaviest in July 2025 and June 2025, when there were 19 incidents in each month, and the season stayed busy through August 2025 with 15 and September 2025 with 11 before easing into winter; since then, Kitami has recorded 233 brown bear sightings overall.
Kitami Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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置戸町に集中してるんだ
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Kitami
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Kitami?
Kitami has recorded 233 bear incidents in total, with 4 reported in the last 30 days and 0 in the last 7 days. These reports are compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions, and can be viewed on the incident map.
When and where was the latest bear incident in Kitami?
The most recent bear sighting in Kitami was on April 20, 2026 in Kitami Tokoro-cho-Tokoro, Hokkaido, where 1 Brown Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Kitami?
Recent bear sightings in Kitami have been concentrated in Kitami Rubeshibe-cho-Kowa (6), Kitami Rubeshibe-cho-Maruyama (6), Kitami Wakamatsu (6). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Kitami?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 4 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Kitami?
Kitami 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.