This 1468 km route runs from Chitose to Hakodate Morning Market within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 15 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
Around 09:00 on May 12, 2026, on a forest road leading to the Tomuraushi mountain trail in Shintoku (Tokachi), footage taken from inside a car showed an adult bear run into the woods and seconds later suddenly charge toward the vehicle. Witnesses reported two additional small bears believed to be cubs. Separate sightings and track investigations were reported in Kitami and Sapporo, with Sapporo tracks later judged not to be from a bear.
Biei, Hokkaido
On May 6 at around 10:00, a bear in Shari (Shiretoko Peninsula) emerged from the roadside, slowly crossed the road, walked along the shoulder and disappeared into vegetation on the opposite side. No damage to people or buildings was confirmed, and the police are conducting patrols by patrol car.
Shari Hon-machi, Hokkaido
Around 06:50 on 2026-05-21, a bear was sighted in Takaoka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
[Additional image] Atsuma River — on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism live camera Appears to be eating something 2026/05/20 From 4:06 In the center of the screen: crows, a hawk, and an animal that looks like a bear 5:15 — Several heads observed; cubs? 5:40 — Reddish-brown bear Location: Riverbank ahead of 166 Atsuwa, Atsuma, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido Latitude: 42.625833333 Longitude: 141.853337778 Live camera link — you can view past footage via the calendar icon
Atsuma, Hokkaido
Around 01:30 on May 19 in Tomakomai City, Takuyu Higashimachi 4-chome, a resident reported seeing a four-legged animal believed to be a bear, about 1 meter long. Takuyu Elementary School carried out supervised school commutes and the city conducted an on-site investigation but found no tracks or droppings.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
In Noboribetsu City a driver spotted a bear about 2 m long crossing a road and ran to a police box to report it. The bear appeared roughly 150 m from the nearest house, and police are warning local residents to be cautious.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
While driving, two black animals ran across in front of me. I believe they were probably bear cubs.
Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, Hokkaido
On May 15, 2026 at about 20:35, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, spotted a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to the police box. The nearest house was about 150 meters away; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and city authorities and hunters found no traces during a site inspection on the morning of the 16th. Police are conducting patrols.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Around 20:30 on May 15, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, observed a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to a police box. The site is about 150 meters from the nearest residence; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and police are patrolling by patrol car and urging caution.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
At around 22:50 on May 10, 2026, a driver spotted a roughly 2-meter-long bear crossing National Route 276 in Takaoka, Tomakomai. There was no collision or injuries, and police searched the area but did not find the bear or any traces.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
At Yufutsu River in Akebono-cho, Tomakomai City, a man fishing spotted one bear on the opposite bank and recorded it on video. The article notes that bear sightings have been increasing across Hokkaido since Golden Week and warns that this season presents a higher risk of close encounters between people and bears.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
In Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, an angler spotted a bear on the opposite bank and the animal was captured on camera. Sightings have been increasing during the holiday period, and authorities are warning people to be cautious as encounters can occur at close range.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Just after 04:30 on May 3, 2026, a fisherman in Tomakomai's Akebono-cho encountered a brown bear at about a 10-meter distance and captured the moment on camera. The witness estimated the bear's body length at about 1 meter; on the same day a camera also recorded one brown bear near the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
In Noboribetsu City a driver spotted a bear about 2 m long crossing a road and ran to a police box to report it. The bear appeared roughly 150 m from the nearest house, and police are warning local residents to be cautious.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
On May 15, 2026 at about 20:35, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, spotted a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to the police box. The nearest house was about 150 meters away; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and city authorities and hunters found no traces during a site inspection on the morning of the 16th. Police are conducting patrols.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Around 20:30 on May 15, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, observed a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to a police box. The site is about 150 meters from the nearest residence; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and police are patrolling by patrol car and urging caution.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
In Noboribetsu City a driver spotted a bear about 2 m long crossing a road and ran to a police box to report it. The bear appeared roughly 150 m from the nearest house, and police are warning local residents to be cautious.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
On May 15, 2026 at about 20:35, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, spotted a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to the police box. The nearest house was about 150 meters away; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and city authorities and hunters found no traces during a site inspection on the morning of the 16th. Police are conducting patrols.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Around 20:30 on May 15, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, observed a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to a police box. The site is about 150 meters from the nearest residence; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and police are patrolling by patrol car and urging caution.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 4:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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In the past 30 days, 15 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 1468 km route runs from Chitose to Hakodate Morning Market within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 15 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
