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  4. Lake Kutcharo to Esashi Hiking Route

Lake Kutcharo to Esashi Hiking Route

Hiking · Moderate Risk · 30 km · 5h 58m · 2 stops · 7 sightings · Saved June 30, 2026 · Last updated 14 hours ago
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3
Incidents in last 7 days
7
Incidents in last 30 days
2 days ago
Latest

Safety Summary

This 30 km route runs from Lake Kutcharo to Esashi within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 3 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido.

With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.

Brown bears in Hokkaido are larger and more dangerous than mainland black bears. Exercise extreme caution.

Your Route

Route Profile

Highlights Along Your Route (1)

1 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Hokkaido.

Lake Kutcharo
Low Risk

Lake Kutcharo

Hokkaido

380 incidents

Lake Kutcharo
Low Risk

Lake Kutcharo

Hokkaido

380 incidents

Route Timeline

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Lake Kutcharo, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 30 km 5h 58m 7 sightings within 5 km

Local residents discovered a brown bear on the road. The bear ran south along the road for a while, entered a pasture, and was lost from sight.

Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido

Official ·2 days ago

A bear was sighted in Toyokanbetsu, Hamatonbetsu Town around 6:00 a.m. on June 29.

Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido

News ·2 days ago

During a patrol by the local hunters' association, bear droppings from a brown bear were found on a town road.

Hamatonbetsu Kutcharokohan, Hokkaido

Official ·6 days ago
Show 4 more

A local contractor spotted a brown bear in the lumber storage area on the premises. The bear headed south.

Hamatonbetsu Usotan, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido

Local residents spotted a brown bear. The bear had been behind a flowerbed but soon walked west into the woodland.

Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido

A local resident spotted a brown bear near a home vegetable garden. The bear immediately headed west into the woods.

Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Hamatonbetsu, Hokkaido

A flower guide at Beniy a Primeval Flower Garden sighted a brown bear near the facility. The bear headed southwest.

Hamatonbetsu, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
G
Esashi, Hokkaido
Total Distance: 30 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Time data not available

Brown bears on your route

Hokkaido Brown Bear

Hokkaido Brown Bear

Ursus arctos yesoensis

Range
Hokkaido
Size
200–400 kg
Active
Dawn & dusk

Sharing space safely

  • ·Make noise as you walk so they hear you coming
  • ·Carry bear spray; deploy at 5 m if charged
  • ·If contact happens, lie face down with fingers laced behind your neck. They typically disengage once you stop moving
  • ·Don't run, don't climb

Safety Checklist

Hiking in bear country

Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.

Emergency Contacts

110
Police
119
Fire/Ambulance

For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

In the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 3 of them.

When and where was the most recent bear sighting near this route?

The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido.

What time of day are bears most active here?

No time-of-day data available for this route.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 30 km route runs from Lake Kutcharo to Esashi within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 7 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 3 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Hamatonbetsu Toyokanbetsu, Hokkaido. With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.

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