This 791 km route from Chitose to Chitose crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 25 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Asahikawa 江丹別町嵐山, Hokkaido; the location sits about 188.0 km from the start of the route and 3.8 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Tomamae, Hokkaido, sitting about 300.0 km from the start and 38 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
Just before 20:00 on May 9, 2026, a female driver in Arashiyama, Etanbetsu, Asahikawa City, spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road; it disappeared toward the Etanbetsu River afterward. Police checked the area but found no traces and plan to conduct a tracks investigation the next day with municipal staff.
Asahikawa 江丹別町嵐山, Hokkaido
In Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, a single brown bear weighing over 300 kg was captured after emerging from hibernation. The local hunting association said they were surprised at its unusually large size for a post-hibernation bear.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
In Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, at around 08:30 on April 27, a single brown bear measuring 2.15 m and weighing about 330 kg was captured in a box trap. The trap was set on April 25 after a sensor camera had recorded the bear, following consultations with the town.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
On April 26 in Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, a 330-kg brown bear was caught in a box trap and culled. According to the local hunters' association, its size was unusually large for the period just after hibernation.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
Around 07:50 on April 23, 2026, a driver spotted two bears believed to be a parent and cub at the roadside in Fujiyama, Rumoi City, Hokkaido (one about 1.5 m long, the other under 1 m). The site was about 40 meters from the nearest house; police say bears were also seen in the same area last week and are warning residents that they may be the same animals.
Rumoi, Hokkaido
Around 17:30 on May 7, a cub-like bear was sighted at Miyagaoka Park in Nishi-no, Nishi Ward, Sapporo; city officials checked the site but found no traces. The witness was about 50 meters away, so police treated it as a "bear-like" sighting and increased patrols while urging caution.
Sapporo Nishino, Hokkaido
[No.6] Thursday, May 7, 2026: No. Date: [No.6] Thursday, May 7, 2026 Description: Location: Near 290 Nishino, Nishi-ku (on the lawn area of Miyagaoka Park) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma) Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2654
Sapporo Nishino, Hokkaido
Around 19:30 on May 5, the city received an information email reporting a bear-like animal about 80 cm long walking west to east in front of the main gate of Teine Junior High School in Toyoka 3-jo 5-chome, Teine Ward, Sapporo. Police patrolled by patrol car but found no animal or traces and no damage was reported, so the city and police carried out investigations and increased vigilance from the morning of the 6th.
Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, Hokkaido
At around 19:25 on the 5th, a passerby reported seeing one animal resembling a brown bear in front of the main gate of Teine Junior High School in Tomioka 3-5, Teine-ku, Sapporo. On the 6th, Sapporo city reviewed nearby security camera footage and announced it was not a brown bear.
Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, Hokkaido
In Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, a single brown bear weighing over 300 kg was captured after emerging from hibernation. The local hunting association said they were surprised at its unusually large size for a post-hibernation bear.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
In Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, at around 08:30 on April 27, a single brown bear measuring 2.15 m and weighing about 330 kg was captured in a box trap. The trap was set on April 25 after a sensor camera had recorded the bear, following consultations with the town.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
On April 26 in Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, a 330-kg brown bear was caught in a box trap and culled. According to the local hunters' association, its size was unusually large for the period just after hibernation.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
Shortly after 16:00 on April 24, 2026, on Mount Sankakuyama in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, three teenagers among six hikers were injured when bear spray they used as a test entered their eyes. There was no bear involved; the three descended on their own and have no life-threatening injuries.
Sapporo Yamanote, Hokkaido
On 2026-04-24 at Mt. Sankaku in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, a bear deterrent spray was accidentally discharged and entered the eyes of three teenagers (male and female), causing pain and incapacitation.
Sapporo Yamanote, Hokkaido
On the Mt. Sankakuyama trail in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, three teenagers were incapacitated after being hit by bear-repellent spray. The spray appears to have entered their eyes and the incident is reported as a possible accidental discharge. The three injured were transported (details on severity not specified).
Sapporo 山の手4条11, Hokkaido
A single bear believed to be a brown bear was sighted near the forest by Miyanomori in Chuo Ward, Sapporo; it was reported to have been about 10 meters from a residence. The bear moved back into the forest afterward, and no injuries or damage were reported. Police and city authorities conducted patrols and a trace inspection and warned local residents to stay alert.
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
At around 00:40 on the 19th, a resident spotted one brown bear near Miyanomori 2-jo 17-chome in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, and reported it to the Nishi Police Station. Police and the city have warned local residents and are conducting patrols timed to school commuting hours.
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
At around 05:50 on April 14, 2026, hospital staff in Sapporo's Chuo Ward (Miyanomori) spotted a brown bear about 2 meters long moving north through the woods near Miyanomori Hospital and reported it via the security guard to emergency services. Police patrolled the area and increased vigilance and warnings timed to school commuting hours.
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
Around 05:45 on April 14, 2026, a staff member at Miyanomori Hospital spotted a brown bear about 2.0 m long in the forest roughly 20 meters west of the hospital and security called 110. There were no injuries or damage, and the city's trace inspection found no footprints, but because Triangle Mountain Elementary School (三角山小学校) is nearby police and school staff conducted patrols and escorted students during arrival times.
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
At around 05:45 on April 14, 2026, a hospital staff member sighted one bear about 2 meters long in the woodland roughly 20 meters west of Miyano-mori Hospital in Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo. The bear walked north and left the area; there were no injuries or reported damage, and a follow-up investigation by Sapporo city found no tracks or other traces.
Miyanomori, Chuo Ward, Hokkaido
[No.1] Tuesday, April 14, 2026: No. Date: [No.1] Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Description: Location: Vicinity of 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo Ward (in woodland about 200 m southwest from the Miyanomori trailhead on the Sankakuyama Bankei nature trail). [The map pin shows the surrounding area.] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma). Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2649
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
On May 7, 2026, shortly before 20:00, a fixed camera set up by the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute captured one bear in Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo. The bear's size and age are unknown; it was about 600 meters from the Nishioka residential area. Sapporo city warned that bears will become more active during the breeding season.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
Around 19:50 on May 7, a single bear was recorded by a mounted camera walking in the forested area of Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo. On the night of May 3 there was also a reported bear appearance inside the grounds of a research facility in the same Hitsujigaoka area of Toyohira Ward.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
No.7 — May 7, 2026 (Thursday): No. Date: No.7 — May 7, 2026 (Thursday) Description: Location: Near 7-1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (on a forest road about 1.2 km northwest from the summit of Yaki-yama) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Brown bear confirmed on camera Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2655
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
On the night of May 3, 2026, a camera installed by Sapporo captured one brown bear inside the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Yōgakyū, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo. The city inspected the site on May 4 but found no traces of the bear and judged it unlikely that the animal regularly approaches inhabited areas.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
No.5 — May 3, 2026 (Sunday): No. Date: No.5 — May 3, 2026 (Sunday) Description: Location: Near 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (on the grounds of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area.] Details: Brown bear (grizzly) spotted on camera. Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2653
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
Shortly after 16:00 on April 24, 2026, on Mount Sankakuyama in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, three teenagers among six hikers were injured when bear spray they used as a test entered their eyes. There was no bear involved; the three descended on their own and have no life-threatening injuries.
Sapporo Yamanote, Hokkaido
On 2026-04-24 at Mt. Sankaku in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, a bear deterrent spray was accidentally discharged and entered the eyes of three teenagers (male and female), causing pain and incapacitation.
Sapporo Yamanote, Hokkaido
On the Mt. Sankakuyama trail in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, three teenagers were incapacitated after being hit by bear-repellent spray. The spray appears to have entered their eyes and the incident is reported as a possible accidental discharge. The three injured were transported (details on severity not specified).
Sapporo 山の手4条11, Hokkaido
A single bear believed to be a brown bear was sighted near the forest by Miyanomori in Chuo Ward, Sapporo; it was reported to have been about 10 meters from a residence. The bear moved back into the forest afterward, and no injuries or damage were reported. Police and city authorities conducted patrols and a trace inspection and warned local residents to stay alert.
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
At around 00:40 on the 19th, a resident spotted one brown bear near Miyanomori 2-jo 17-chome in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, and reported it to the Nishi Police Station. Police and the city have warned local residents and are conducting patrols timed to school commuting hours.
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
[No.3] April 19, 2026 (Sunday): No. Date: [No.3] April 19, 2026 (Sunday) Description: Location: Forested area near 11, 2-jo 17-chome, Miyanomori, Chuo Ward [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Brown bear sighted Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2651
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
[No.2] Saturday, April 18, 2026: No. Date: [No.2] Saturday, April 18, 2026 Description: Location: Minami-ku nature trail “Moiwa-yama Route” (about 400 m north of the entrance to the Citizens’ Ski Area) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma) Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2650
Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido
At around 05:50 on April 14, 2026, hospital staff in Sapporo's Chuo Ward (Miyanomori) spotted a brown bear about 2 meters long moving north through the woods near Miyanomori Hospital and reported it via the security guard to emergency services. Police patrolled the area and increased vigilance and warnings timed to school commuting hours.
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
Around 05:45 on April 14, 2026, a staff member at Miyanomori Hospital spotted a brown bear about 2.0 m long in the forest roughly 20 meters west of the hospital and security called 110. There were no injuries or damage, and the city's trace inspection found no footprints, but because Triangle Mountain Elementary School (三角山小学校) is nearby police and school staff conducted patrols and escorted students during arrival times.
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
At around 05:45 on April 14, 2026, a hospital staff member sighted one bear about 2 meters long in the woodland roughly 20 meters west of Miyano-mori Hospital in Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo. The bear walked north and left the area; there were no injuries or reported damage, and a follow-up investigation by Sapporo city found no tracks or other traces.
Miyanomori, Chuo Ward, Hokkaido
[No.1] Tuesday, April 14, 2026: No. Date: [No.1] Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Description: Location: Vicinity of 1274 Miyanomori, Chuo Ward (in woodland about 200 m southwest from the Miyanomori trailhead on the Sankakuyama Bankei nature trail). [The map pin shows the surrounding area.] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma). Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2649
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 5:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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Over the past 30 days, 25 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido).
The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Asahikawa 江丹別町嵐山, Hokkaido; the location sits about 188.0 km from the start of the route and 3.8 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 5:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 791 km route from Chitose to Chitose crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 25 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Asahikawa 江丹別町嵐山, Hokkaido; the location sits about 188.0 km from the start of the route and 3.8 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Tomamae, Hokkaido, sitting about 300.0 km from the start and 38 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
