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Chitose to Niseko Drive

Driving · High Risk · 127 km · 2h 8m · 2 stops · 12 sightings · Saved July 14, 2026 · Last updated 5 hours ago
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Incidents in last 7 days
12
Incidents in last 30 days
1 week ago
Latest

Safety Summary

This 127 km route runs from Chitose to Niseko within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days. The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Shiraoi, Hokkaido.

At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.

Brown bears in Hokkaido are larger and more dangerous than mainland black bears. Exercise extreme caution.

Your Route

Route Profile

Route Timeline

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Chitose, Hokkaido
High Risk 127 km 2h 8m 12 sightings within 5 km
Shiraoi, Hokkaido

Three bears, believed to be a mother bear and cubs, were seen walking south on a road near a residence in Shadai, Shiraoi Town.

Shiraoi, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago

A bear was sighted in Izumisawa, Chitose City, and it was seen captured on camera.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago
Chitose, Hokkaido

[26] Izumisawa: Around 0:05 AM — An automatic trail camera installed near the Chuo Expressway Chitose IC at Aoba Park captured one bear.

Chitose, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Show 9 more
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

[30] 7/15 8:35 National Route 276 - 3 km from Takaoka Second Cemetery: one brown bear approximately 2 m in length sighted. The bear departed to the west.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

[29] 7/13 18:45 — While walking, a person spotted what appeared to be a brown bear about 50 cm in body length standing on a mountainside approximately 70 m from Shinkawa No. 3 Bridge over the Tomakomai River on the north side of Yamate Town.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago

Around 4:43 PM on 2026-07-13, a bear was sighted in Rusan, Kimobetsu Town, Hokkaido.

Kimobetsu Rusan, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Location: Takao Oka. Times: ① 6:55, ② 10:47. On National Route 276, 350 m west of the 117-km post, 5 km from the Chuo Interchange toward Lake Shikotsu, a four-legged animal 1.5–2 m long was seen crossing from east to west.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

A bear-like animal was reported sighted in a park in Takuyo-Higashimachi 5, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

In Shirotori Park in Takuyu-higashimachi, Tomakomai, a teenage male witnessed one bear-like animal about 1.5 meters long before dawn.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago

A bear was sighted moving in Izumisawa, Chitose City, around 3:50 PM on 2026-07-06.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
Chitose, Hokkaido

Izumisawa: Around 3:50 PM. Approximately 200 meters from under the Dōō Expressway overpass on Shinmachi Izumisawa Boulevard toward Kōyōdai. One bear sighted.

Chitose, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago

A bear was sighted in Kawanishi, Kyogoku Town.

Kyogoku, Hokkaido

News ·1 month ago
G
Niseko, Hokkaido
Total Distance: 127 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 2:00 with 1 incidents

Brown bears on your route

Hokkaido Brown Bear

Hokkaido Brown Bear

Ursus arctos yesoensis

Range
Hokkaido
Size
200–400 kg
Active
Dawn & dusk

Sharing space safely

  • ·Make noise as you walk so they hear you coming
  • ·Carry bear spray; deploy at 5 m if charged
  • ·If contact happens, lie face down with fingers laced behind your neck. They typically disengage once you stop moving
  • ·Don't run, don't climb

Safety Checklist

Hiking in bear country

Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.

Emergency Contacts

110
Police
119
Fire/Ambulance

For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

In the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days.

When and where was the most recent bear sighting near this route?

The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Shiraoi, Hokkaido.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 2:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 127 km route runs from Chitose to Niseko within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. No reports were recorded in the past 7 days. The latest sighting was reported 1 week ago near Shiraoi, Hokkaido. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.

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