This 60.3 km route from JR Tower to Kita Ward, Sapporo crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 2 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 3 weeks ago near Sapporo 米里, Hokkaido; the location sits about 6.9 km from the start of the route and 698 m off the route line.
With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
Around 19:00 on April 14, a person walking a dog sighted a bear-like animal about 80 cm long on the riverbed north of the Kita-Juusanjo Bridge on the Toyohira River in Yonesato, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo. Police patrolled the area but found no footprints, droppings, or reports of damage; Sapporo City plans an on-site survey on April 15 and police will increase patrols during school commuting hours.
Sapporo 米里, 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.
Sapporo Minami-5-jo-Nishi 4-chome, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 5:00 with 1 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, 2 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido).
The most recent sighting was reported 3 weeks ago near Sapporo 米里, Hokkaido; the location sits about 6.9 km from the start of the route and 698 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 5:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 60.3 km route from JR Tower to Kita Ward, Sapporo crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 2 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, with no new activity in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 3 weeks ago near Sapporo 米里, Hokkaido; the location sits about 6.9 km from the start of the route and 698 m off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
