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This 43 km route runs from Jōzankei Onsen to Toyohira River within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them. The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido.
At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
After descending Mount Moiwa and heading toward Yamanohana between the 6th and 5th stations, a black cub about 50 cm long was hiding in the sasa grass. The black fur on its ears was fluffy. The bear stayed still. I was too scared to take a photo at the time—seriously. But thinking back now, I found the fluffiness kind of cute.
Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido
Report No.29 — Saturday, June 20, 2026: Location: 1804-6 Kitanosawa, Minami Ward (about 100 m east of Right Kitanosawa No.2 Bridge). Description: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma). Map: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.007,141.305635
Sapporo Kitanosawa, Hokkaido
While cycling just past the Toyohira Gorge Onsen sign, there was a strong animal odor. After I heard rustling in the bushes, whatever made the noise did not run further into the woods, so it is suspected to have been a bear.
Sapporo Jozankei, Hokkaido
[No.28] Thursday, June 18, 2026: Location: Jozankei, unspecified address (on Route 95 about 300 m southeast of Oshidori Water Treatment Plant) Description: Droppings confirmed Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.984181,141.125474
Sapporo Jozankei, Hokkaido
[No.27] Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Location: Minami-ku, Jozankei, no street number (approximately 250 m south of the entrance to Jozankei Shizen no Mura). Description: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.929703,141.152485
Sapporo Jozankei, Hokkaido
[No.25] Sunday, June 14, 2026: Location: Jozankei (no street number) Description: Brown bear sighted Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.991191,141.164533
Sapporo Jozankei, Hokkaido
Tracks and feaces identified on the Kamui-dake/Eboshi-dake forestry trail.
Sapporo Koganeyu, Hokkaido
Around 6:50 PM on 2026-06-09, a junior high school boy saw three brown bears on a city road in Maruyama Nishi 2, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido
[No.22] Tuesday, June 9, 2026: Location: Near 1-jo 16-chome 1, Miyanomori, Chuo Ward Description: Sighted brown bears (3 individuals) Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.044131,141.296852
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
Three brown bears were spotted on a road in Maruyama Nishi-machi 2-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, and disappeared into the bushes after a car honked.
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido
A bear was reported sighted in Maruyama Nishi-machi 2-chome, Sapporo.
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido
Around 6:30 PM on June 7, a delivery driver saw one brown bear about 2 meters long in Maruyama Nishimachi 2-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido
[No.21] June 7, 2026 (Sunday): Location: Near 2-22 Maruyama Nishimachi, Chuo Ward Description: Brown bear sighted Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.043917,141.297722
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido
[No.20] Friday, June 5, 2026: Location: Near 606 Misuromai, Minami Ward (riverside about 250 m north of Misuromai snow storage site) Description: Brown bear sighting Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.959288,141.251165
Sapporo Misumai, Hokkaido
One brown bear was captured in a box trap and culled in Yamakegaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
We saw a bear track in fresh urine on the Western Entrance path, right before reaching the ropes if you begin from the Western Entrance. We also saw trees stripped of bark and scratched all along the path from the Central Entrance to the fresh track.
Sapporo Toyama, Hokkaido
[No.19] Thursday, June 4, 2026: Location: Near 7-1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (about 1 km south of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute office building). Description: Brown bear (Higuma) confirmed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.987083,141.393
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
A bear-resistant trash bin was installed in Maruyamanishimachi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 13:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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In the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 13:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 43 km route runs from Jōzankei Onsen to Toyohira River within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 4 of them. The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido. At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
