This 628 km route from Hakodate to Wakkanai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 27 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 1 day ago near Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, Hokkaido; the location sits about 271.4 km from the start of the route and 590 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 6 days ago at Tomakomai, Hokkaido, sitting about 266.7 km from the start and 11 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through 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
Shortly after 20:00 on May 14, a single bear was captured by a fixed camera at the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Yagakeoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo. A trace survey on the 15th found footprints about 10 cm wide; the bear is estimated at 1.2–1.3 m long, and similar-sized individuals were recorded on the 7th and 13th in the area.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
[No.10] Thursday, May 14, 2026: Location: Toyohira Ward, Hitsujigaoka 1 (on the grounds of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center) * Bear tracks were also confirmed about 100 m north of the camera location Description: Brown bear confirmed on camera Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.005028,141.420417
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
On the night of May 13, cameras installed in Sapporo's Toyohira-ku, Yōgakaoka, recorded the presence of one bear twice, at around 19:30 and 21:30. A camera had also recorded a bear in the area on the 7th, and Sapporo city is urging caution.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
On the night of May 13, 2026, a camera near the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo captured the same brown bear once around 19:30 and again around 21:30. The bear is estimated at about 1.2–1.3 meters long; it was also filmed on May 7 at the same area, and Sapporo city is urging residents to strictly follow garbage disposal rules.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
On May 13, 2026, just after 19:00, a driver spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long on a road in Fukunaga, Toyotomi Town, and reported it to the police. When officers checked the scene they found bear droppings on the road, and the Teshio police station has stepped up patrols in the area.
Toyotomi Fukunaga, 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
[No. 8] May 10, 2026: Time: 18:00 Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetoi-mura, Aza Tenko Incident: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
At around 20:00 on May 9, 2026, a man in his 60s driving on Route 115 in Kitayoshino-cho, Sunagawa City, saw a bear about 2 meters long crossing the road from left to right. Police, municipal staff and hunters checking the scene found multiple bear tracks (about 24 cm) heading north and south, and increased vigilance was implemented because a residential area lies about 1 km away. No injuries or damage to the vehicle were reported.
Sunagawa 北吉野町, 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
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
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
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
[No.7] May 3, 2026: Time: 8:20 AM Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomi-mura, Aza Kaishin Details: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, 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
[No.4] April 29, 2026: Time: 10:10 Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomura, Aza Magaribuchi Report: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
No.4 April 29, 2026: Time: 10:10 Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomura, Aza Magaribuchi Content: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 声問村, 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
On April 25, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was filmed along a national road in Tomamae Town, Hokkaido. The bear repeatedly looked back at the filmer while eating what appeared to be wild shoots, showing signs of being accustomed to humans.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
Around 20:00 on April 24, 2026, a black, four-legged animal about 1.5 m long resembling a bear was sighted by a passerby south of Kitakaro Sunagawa Main Store at 1 Nishi 1-jo Kita 19-chome in Sunagawa City; police conducted patrols after the report. The witness was about 30 m away and the animal was roughly 10 m from a nearby house; police initially found no tracks or droppings, but a hunters' association later discovered bear and deer tracks in a nearby wood.
Sunagawa 北光, Hokkaido
At around 20:00 on April 24, 2026, a bear was sighted moving west near 1-3, Nishi 1-jo Kita 19-chome, Sunagawa City. Residents are advised to be cautious during work or when gathering wild plants in the area.
Sunagawa 北光, 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
Peak activity at 20:00 with 6 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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Over the past 30 days, 27 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 1 day ago near Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, Hokkaido; the location sits about 271.4 km from the start of the route and 590 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 20:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 628 km route from Hakodate to Wakkanai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 27 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 1 day ago near Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, Hokkaido; the location sits about 271.4 km from the start of the route and 590 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 6 days ago at Tomakomai, Hokkaido, sitting about 266.7 km from the start and 11 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
