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Ishikari River Brown Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Ishikari River, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
Ishikari River has been seeing brown bear movement into settled places, and the sharpest recent report came on April 24, 2026 around 20:00 in Sunagawa Hokkō, where a bear was seen moving west near 1 3 Nishi 1 jo Kita 19 chome after being spotted south of the Kitakaro Sunagawa Main Store. Earlier in April 2026, bears were also reported in Sunagawa park areas and in Utashinai Kamoi, showing that the activity has not stayed deep in the hills.
The busiest places in this stretch have been Sunagawa, Utashinai, and Kamisunagawa, with reports clustering around parks, roads, and the river side rather than a single fixed spot. Activity peaked in October 2025 with 24 incidents, and the total record for the Ishikari River area now stands at 130 brown bear sightings.
Ishikari River Bear Incident Map
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No incidents in this time range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Ishikari River
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Ishikari River?
Ishikari River has recorded 130 bear incidents in total, with 6 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 Ishikari River?
The most recent bear sighting in Ishikari River was on April 24, 2026 in Sunagawa 北光, Hokkaido, where 1 Brown Bear was reported. Detailed location and surrounding incidents are available on the incident map.
Where have bears appeared recently in Ishikari River?
Recent bear sightings in Ishikari River have been concentrated in Shintotsukawa (32), Shintotsukawa 字中央 (16), Shintotsukawa 字大和 (6). These areas have had multiple reports within the last 30 days.
Is bear activity increasing in Ishikari River?
Activity has slowed. 0 incidents in the last 7 days, 6 in the last 30 days.
What type of bears are in Ishikari River?
Ishikari River 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.