This 246 km route from Kamiteine Shrine to Ōfune Site crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 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 11.8 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido, sitting about 9.7 km from the start and 315 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
No. 9 — Wednesday, May 13, 2026: Location: Near Yōgaka 7-1 (on a forest road about 1.2 km northwest from the summit of Yakeyama). Note: At approximately 19:37 the same day, one brown bear was also confirmed by a camera near the summit. Description: Brown bear confirmed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.98833,141.38799
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
In the garden flowerbed of a residence in Maeda 4-jo 8-chome, Teine-ku, Sapporo, approximately 6–7 footprints believed to be bear tracks (about 13 cm wide) were found around 08:00 on May 12. No other traces or damage were confirmed nearby; police, coordinating with Sapporo city, are investigating the tracks and conducting patrols during school commuting hours while urging residents to be cautious.
Sapporo, Hokkaido
[No.8] Friday, May 8, 2026: No. Date: [No.8] Friday, May 8, 2026 Description: Location: Near 476 Bankei, Chuo Ward (on the road about 280 m northeast of Bankei Hall) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Brown bear sighting Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2656
Sapporo Bankei, Hokkaido
Around 17:30 on May 7, a cub-like bear was sighted at Miyagaoka Park in Nishi-no, Nishi Ward, Sapporo; city officials checked the site but found no traces. The witness was about 50 meters away, so police treated it as a "bear-like" sighting and increased patrols while urging caution.
Sapporo Nishino, Hokkaido
[No.6] Thursday, May 7, 2026: No. Date: [No.6] Thursday, May 7, 2026 Description: Location: Near 290 Nishino, Nishi-ku (on the lawn area of Miyagaoka Park) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma) Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2654
Sapporo Nishino, Hokkaido
No.7 — May 7, 2026 (Thursday): No. Date: No.7 — May 7, 2026 (Thursday) Description: Location: Near 7-1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (on a forest road about 1.2 km northwest from the summit of Yaki-yama) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Brown bear confirmed on camera Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2655
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
Around 19:30 on May 5, the city received an information email reporting a bear-like animal about 80 cm long walking west to east in front of the main gate of Teine Junior High School in Toyoka 3-jo 5-chome, Teine Ward, Sapporo. Police patrolled by patrol car but found no animal or traces and no damage was reported, so the city and police carried out investigations and increased vigilance from the morning of the 6th.
Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, Hokkaido
At around 19:25 on the 5th, a passerby reported seeing one animal resembling a brown bear in front of the main gate of Teine Junior High School in Tomioka 3-5, Teine-ku, Sapporo. On the 6th, Sapporo city reviewed nearby security camera footage and announced it was not a brown bear.
Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, Hokkaido
Shortly after 16:00 on April 24, 2026, on Mount Sankakuyama in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, three teenagers among six hikers were injured when bear spray they used as a test entered their eyes. There was no bear involved; the three descended on their own and have no life-threatening injuries.
Sapporo Yamanote, Hokkaido
On 2026-04-24 at Mt. Sankaku in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, a bear deterrent spray was accidentally discharged and entered the eyes of three teenagers (male and female), causing pain and incapacitation.
Sapporo Yamanote, Hokkaido
On the Mt. Sankakuyama trail in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, three teenagers were incapacitated after being hit by bear-repellent spray. The spray appears to have entered their eyes and the incident is reported as a possible accidental discharge. The three injured were transported (details on severity not specified).
Sapporo 山の手4条11, Hokkaido
No.4 — Friday, April 24, 2026 Date: No.4 — Friday, April 24, 2026 Description: Location: Near 160-2 Makomanai, Minami Ward (on the Sumikawa–Atsubetsu–Taki connecting road about 700 m east of Sapporo Komaoaka Incineration Plant) [The map pin shows the general area] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2652
Sapporo Makomanai, Hokkaido
A single bear believed to be a brown bear was sighted near the forest by Miyanomori in Chuo Ward, Sapporo; it was reported to have been about 10 meters from a residence. The bear moved back into the forest afterward, and no injuries or damage were reported. Police and city authorities conducted patrols and a trace inspection and warned local residents to stay alert.
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
At around 00:40 on the 19th, a resident spotted one brown bear near Miyanomori 2-jo 17-chome in Chuo Ward, Sapporo, and reported it to the Nishi Police Station. Police and the city have warned local residents and are conducting patrols timed to school commuting hours.
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
[No.3] April 19, 2026 (Sunday): No. Date: [No.3] April 19, 2026 (Sunday) Description: Location: Forested area near 11, 2-jo 17-chome, Miyanomori, Chuo Ward [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Brown bear sighted Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2651
Sapporo Miyanomori 1-jo 17-chome, Hokkaido
[No.3] Sunday, April 19, 2026: Location: Woodland near 11, Miyano-mori 2-jo 17-chome, Chuo Ward Description: Brown bear sighted Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.04276,141.2897
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido
[No.2] Saturday, April 18, 2026: No. Date: [No.2] Saturday, April 18, 2026 Description: Location: Minami-ku nature trail “Moiwa-yama Route” (about 400 m north of the entrance to the Citizens’ Ski Area) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma) Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2650
Sapporo Moiwayama, 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 2 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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Over the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 2 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 11.8 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 19:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 246 km route from Kamiteine Shrine to Ōfune Site crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 2 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 11.8 km from the start of the route and 4.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido, sitting about 9.7 km from the start and 315 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
