Cities & Towns · Hokkaido
Otobe Brown Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Otobe, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Otobe’s most recent close call came in Toyohama on December 27, 2025, when a woman spotted a single brown bear about 10 meters away in a residential area after getting outside around 4:00 p.m. The bear was described as a young animal about 80 centimeters long, and a similar sighting was also reported in Toyohama on December 26, 2025.
The activity is concentrated around Toyohama and Toriyama, with other reports from Mitsuya and Tateura as well. The busiest stretch was September 2025 with 15 incidents, while October 2025, August 2025, and July 2025 each saw 9; the area has recorded 169 brown bear sightings overall.
Otobe Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Comments (1)
Four incidents in two days all in Toyohama, Otobe makes this feel different from the captures scattered across other areas earlier in the season.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Otobe
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Otobe?
Otobe has 169 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 Otobe?
The most recent bear sighting in Otobe was on December 27, 2025 in Toyohama, Otobe (Hokkaido), Hokkaido, where 1 Brown Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Otobe?
Recent bear sightings in Otobe have been concentrated in Otobe Toyohama (18), Otobe Toriyama (18), Otobe Sakaehama (18). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Otobe?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Otobe?
Otobe 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.