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This 872 km route runs from JR Tower to Tomakomai within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 24 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 Chitose, Hokkaido.
At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
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
Two brown bears were sighted on National Route 238 in Kiyohama, Soya-mura, Wakkanai City.
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
[No.11] May 23, 2026: Time: 21:55 Location: Kiyohama, Soya Village, Soya District, Wakkanai City Details: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
No.11 May 23, 2026: Time: 21:55 Location: Wakkanai City, So-ya Village, Kiyohama Witnessed a brown bear.
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
[No.9] May 16, 2026: Time: 19:20 Location: Wakkanai City, Kozetomimura, Ebisu-kita Witnessed a brown bear
Wakkanai 声問村, 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
On Route 40 in Teshio Town, Hokkaido, a brown bear about 2 meters long collided with a moving passenger car, damaging the vehicle but causing no injuries. The bear reportedly left the scene after the collision, and police are urging people not to approach and to evacuate to a safe place if they spot the bear.
Teshio, 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.6 May 1, 2026: Time: 11:50 AM Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomura, Aza Kabaoka Details: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
[No.5] April 30, 2026: Time: 13:35 Location: Wakkanai City, Kozetomon-mura, Kamigoetomon (Kamigoetomonaza) Details: Sighted a brown bear (Higuma).
Wakkanai 声問村, 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
Two brown bears were sighted on National Route 238 in Kiyohama, Soya-mura, Wakkanai City.
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
[No.11] May 23, 2026: Time: 21:55 Location: Kiyohama, Soya Village, Soya District, Wakkanai City Details: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
No.11 May 23, 2026: Time: 21:55 Location: Wakkanai City, So-ya Village, Kiyohama Witnessed a brown bear.
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
Around 14:30 on May 11, 2026, a single bear approximately 2 meters long was seen walking slowly along a national highway on the outskirts of the urban area of Okoppe (Okoppe Town) in the Okhotsk region and was filmed. Police say there was also a sighting before 9:00 a.m. and have urged residents to be cautious.
Okoppe, Hokkaido
A fat bear crossed the road.
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
On 2026-05-02 in Okoppe (Okhotsk area), camera footage captured a giant bear estimated at 1.8–2.0 m in length and about 250–300 kg. Another camera recorded the bear rubbing its back against a tree and showing large front claws.
Okoppe, Hokkaido
Around 10:00 on the 1st, a driver spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long walking on a road about 100 meters from Onishibetsu Elementary School in Sarufutsu Village and reported it to the Wakkanai police. The site was about 10 meters from houses, and the police are on alert.
Sarufutsu Onishibetsu-kitamachi, Hokkaido
A mother brown bear and her two cubs were wandering through the grassland.
Shimokawa Kitamachi, Hokkaido
Around 14:30 on May 11, 2026, a single bear approximately 2 meters long was seen walking slowly along a national highway on the outskirts of the urban area of Okoppe (Okoppe Town) in the Okhotsk region and was filmed. Police say there was also a sighting before 9:00 a.m. and have urged residents to be cautious.
Okoppe, Hokkaido
On 2026-05-02 in Okoppe (Okhotsk area), camera footage captured a giant bear estimated at 1.8–2.0 m in length and about 250–300 kg. Another camera recorded the bear rubbing its back against a tree and showing large front claws.
Okoppe, Hokkaido
A bear was captured on a camera in Aoba Park, Chitose City.
Chitose, 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
While driving, two black animals ran across in front of me. I believe they were probably bear cubs.
Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, 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
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
Peak activity at 4:00 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, 24 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 Chitose, Hokkaido.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 872 km route runs from JR Tower to Tomakomai within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 24 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 Chitose, Hokkaido. At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
