This 38.1 km route from Sumiyoshi Shrine to Sapporo Beer Museum crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 11 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 1 day ago near Sapporo Teine-Yamaguchi, Hokkaido; the location sits about 19.5 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, Hokkaido, sitting about 22.7 km from the start and 457 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
.png.w400.webp){kind=small}
火葬場から手稲へ戻る途中、太陽光パネルのエリアで、細身だけど筋肉質なヒグマが歩いているのを見ました。
Sapporo Teine-Yamaguchi, 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
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
A roar/sound like a brown bear was heard from beyond the bushes.
Sapporo Teine-Honcho, 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.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 16:00 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.
Draw any route in Japan and get the same bear-safety report, built around the trip you're actually taking.
No comments yet.
Over the past 30 days, 11 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 1 day ago near Sapporo Teine-Yamaguchi, Hokkaido; the location sits about 19.5 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 16:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 38.1 km route from Sumiyoshi Shrine to Sapporo Beer Museum crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 11 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 1 day ago near Sapporo Teine-Yamaguchi, Hokkaido; the location sits about 19.5 km from the start of the route and 3.3 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, Hokkaido, sitting about 22.7 km from the start and 457 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, be ready to brake at any moment and avoid stopping in flagged stretches.
