This 304 km route from Otaru to Wakkanai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido; the location sits about 277.5 km from the start of the route and 228 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido, sitting about 285.3 km from the start and 2 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
[No. 8] May 10, 2026: Time: 18:00 Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetoi-mura, Aza Tenko Incident: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, 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
[No.7] May 3, 2026: Time: 8:20 AM Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomi-mura, Aza Kaishin Details: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
NO.6 May 1, 2026: Time: 11:50 AM Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomura, Aza Kabaoka Details: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
[No.5] April 30, 2026: Time: 13:35 Location: Wakkanai City, Kozetomon-mura, Kamigoetomon (Kamigoetomonaza) Details: Sighted a brown bear (Higuma).
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
[No.4] April 29, 2026: Time: 10:10 Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomura, Aza Magaribuchi Report: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
No.4 April 29, 2026: Time: 10:10 Location: Wakkanai City, Oaza Koetomura, Aza Magaribuchi Content: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
In Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, a single brown bear weighing over 300 kg was captured after emerging from hibernation. The local hunting association said they were surprised at its unusually large size for a post-hibernation bear.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
In Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, at around 08:30 on April 27, a single brown bear measuring 2.15 m and weighing about 330 kg was captured in a box trap. The trap was set on April 25 after a sensor camera had recorded the bear, following consultations with the town.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
On April 26 in Tomamae Town, Hokkaido, a 330-kg brown bear was caught in a box trap and culled. According to the local hunters' association, its size was unusually large for the period just after hibernation.
Tomamae, Hokkaido
[No.2] April 15, 2026: Time: 11:55 Location: Noboribetsu? — Wait: need to check: The place is '稚内市大字声問村字沼川' which is in Wakkanai city, Oaza Koetomura, Aza Numakawa. Content: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 19:00 with 2 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 3 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido).
The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido; the location sits about 277.5 km from the start of the route and 228 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 19:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 304 km route from Otaru to Wakkanai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 12 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 3 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido; the location sits about 277.5 km from the start of the route and 228 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido, sitting about 285.3 km from the start and 2 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
