Cities & Towns · Hokkaido
Otaru Brown Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Otaru, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Otaru’s latest bear trouble came on February 18, 2026, when a hotel employee in Asarigawa Onsen 2-chome saw and filmed a juvenile brown bear about 50 to 60 cm long walking on a municipal road around 17:40. Another sighting in Asarigawa Onsen was reported at the same time, showing that bears are still moving through settled parts of the city.
The most active ground has been around Katsuraoka, where repeated sightings and tracks have turned up near homes and even by Katsuraoka Elementary School, with Zenibako also on the map from track reports. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 24 reports and stayed high in November 2025 with 18, before easing in December 2025 with 2 and February 2026 with 2; Otaru has logged 64 brown bear sightings in all.
Otaru Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Comments (1)
Katsuraoka Elementary School came up four times in just three days around mid-November.
Hiking in bear country
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Otaru
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Otaru?
Otaru has 64 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 Otaru?
The most recent bear sighting in Otaru was on February 18, 2026 in Asarigawa Onsen 2-chome, Otaru, 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 Otaru?
Recent bear sightings in Otaru have been concentrated in Otaru Katsuraokacho (12), Katsuraoka Elementary School, Otaru (3), Katsuraoka, Otaru City (3). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Otaru?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Otaru?
Otaru 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.