Tourism Spots · Hokkaido
Otaru Museum Brown Bear Incidents
Bear incident and sighting reports for Otaru Museum, compiled from official government sources, news outlets, and community submissions. View the interactive incident map and safety information before hiking or outdoor activities.
At Asarigawa Onsen 2 chome in Otaru, a hotel employee spotted and filmed a juvenile brown bear about 50 to 60 centimeters long on a municipal road at 17:40 on February 18, 2026, and police confirmed the animal from the video. That was the latest hard sighting in this area, and it fits the same pattern of bears edging into places people live and work around Otaru.
The busiest ground has been around Katsuraoka, where school grounds and nearby neighborhoods have kept turning up bears and tracks, with another strong run also around Asarigawa Onsen and Miharashi cho. Activity surged in October 2025 with 24 reports and stayed high in November 2025 with 18, before easing into December 2025 with 2 and February 2026 with 2; across Otaru Museum territory, there have been 66 brown bear sightings and reports in all.
Otaru Museum Bear Incident Map
No incidents in this time range
No incidents in this time range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Otaru Museum
How many bear incidents have been recorded in Otaru Museum?
Otaru Museum has 66 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 Museum?
The most recent bear sighting in Otaru Museum 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 Museum?
Recent bear sightings in Otaru Museum 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 Museum?
No recent activity to assess.
What type of bears are in Otaru Museum?
Otaru Museum 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.