Tourism Spots · Hokkaido
Benten-jima Brown Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Benten-jima, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Benten-jima is seeing fresh brown bear activity: on April 24, 2026, at 10:00, one brown bear was sighted in Higashiura in Wakkanai City, Soya Village. Another recent report came in on April 8, 2026, when a resident spotted one bear about 1 meter long near the national road in Kiyohama in Soya-mura, also in Wakkanai City.
The most active ground has been around Wakkanai City, especially Soya Village, Soya-mura, and Cape Soya, with Wakkanai showing repeated reports across the season. Activity peaked in September 2024 with 6 incidents, and stayed busy in May 2025 with 4, then again in August 2024 and June 2024 with 4 each; this area has logged 57 brown bear sightings in total.
Benten-jima Bear Incident Map
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Benten-jima
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Benten-jima?
Benten-jima has recorded 57 bear incidents in total, with 1 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 Benten-jima?
The most recent bear sighting in Benten-jima was on April 8, 2026 in Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido, where 1 Brown Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Benten-jima?
Recent bear sightings in Benten-jima have been concentrated in Wakkanai 宗谷村 (42), Wakkanai 声問村 (9), Wakkanai 宗谷岬 (5). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Benten-jima?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 1 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Benten-jima?
Benten-jima 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.