This 64.7 km route from JR Tower to Tomakomai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 4 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido; the location sits about 9.4 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 5 days ago at Tomakomai, Hokkaido, sitting about 59.9 km from the start and 30 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
[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
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
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.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.2] Saturday, April 18, 2026: Location: Minami Ward nature trail “Moiwa-yama Route” (about 400 m north from the entrance to the Citizens’ Ski Area) Description: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma) Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.0158,141.33562
Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 19:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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Over the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 4 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido).
The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido; the location sits about 9.4 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 19:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 64.7 km route from JR Tower to Tomakomai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 4 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido; the location sits about 9.4 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 5 days ago at Tomakomai, Hokkaido, sitting about 59.9 km from the start and 30 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
