This 274 km route from Nakajima Park to Mombetsu crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 15 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 5 days ago near Sunagawa 北吉野町, Hokkaido; the location sits about 78.9 km from the start of the route and 433 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Monbetsu, Hokkaido, sitting about 251.3 km from the start and 291 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
At around 20:00 on May 9, 2026, a man in his 60s driving on Route 115 in Kitayoshino-cho, Sunagawa City, saw a bear about 2 meters long crossing the road from left to right. Police, municipal staff and hunters checking the scene found multiple bear tracks (about 24 cm) heading north and south, and increased vigilance was implemented because a residential area lies about 1 km away. No injuries or damage to the vehicle were reported.
Sunagawa 北吉野町, Hokkaido
Just before 20:00 on May 9, 2026, a female driver in Arashiyama, Etanbetsu, Asahikawa City, spotted a bear about 1 meter long crossing the road; it disappeared toward the Etanbetsu River afterward. Police checked the area but found no traces and plan to conduct a tracks investigation the next day with municipal staff.
Asahikawa 江丹別町嵐山, 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
Monbetsu, Hokkaido
Around 20:00 on April 24, 2026, a black, four-legged animal about 1.5 m long resembling a bear was sighted by a passerby south of Kitakaro Sunagawa Main Store at 1 Nishi 1-jo Kita 19-chome in Sunagawa City; police conducted patrols after the report. The witness was about 30 m away and the animal was roughly 10 m from a nearby house; police initially found no tracks or droppings, but a hunters' association later discovered bear and deer tracks in a nearby wood.
Sunagawa 北光, Hokkaido
At around 20:00 on April 24, 2026, a bear was sighted moving west near 1-3, Nishi 1-jo Kita 19-chome, Sunagawa City. Residents are advised to be cautious during work or when gathering wild plants in the area.
Sunagawa 北光, Hokkaido
A cub crossed the road
Pippu Asahi, 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] 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
Shortly before 18:00 on April 16, a woman in her 30s returning home sighted a bear-like animal walking in Hokkō Park (Kitahikari Park), Nishisanjō Kita 10-chōme, Sunagawa, from about 100 meters away and reported it. Police checked the area but found no tracks or damage to buildings; the animal went north and residents have been warned to be cautious.
Sunagawa 西九条北六丁目, Hokkaido
On the evening of April 16, 2026, at Hokkō Park (North 3-jō, West 10-chōme) in Sunagawa City, a woman in her 30s witnessed a bear-like animal walking north about 100 meters away. Police patrolled the area by cruiser but found no footprints or signs of damage and warned nearby residents to be cautious.
Sunagawa 西三条北十丁目, Hokkaido
On the evening of April 16, a resident in Sunagawa City, Hokkaido, saw the rear view of a bear-like animal walking north in a park at Nishi 3-jo Kita 10-chome, about 100 meters away. The area is a residential neighborhood and police have increased their vigilance.
Sunagawa 東一条北十一丁目, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 20:00 with 4 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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Over the past 30 days, 15 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 5 days ago near Sunagawa 北吉野町, Hokkaido; the location sits about 78.9 km from the start of the route and 433 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 20:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 274 km route from Nakajima Park to Mombetsu crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 15 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 5 days ago near Sunagawa 北吉野町, Hokkaido; the location sits about 78.9 km from the start of the route and 433 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Monbetsu, Hokkaido, sitting about 251.3 km from the start and 291 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
