This 331 km route from Sapporo Beer Museum to Wakkanai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 4 days ago near Toyotomi Fukunaga, Hokkaido; the location sits about 293.2 km from the start of the route and 363 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Tomamae, Hokkaido, sitting about 190.4 km from the start and 38 m off the route line.
With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
On May 13, 2026, just after 19:00, a driver spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long on a road in Fukunaga, Toyotomi Town, and reported it to the police. When officers checked the scene they found bear droppings on the road, and the Teshio police station has stepped up patrols in the area.
Toyotomi Fukunaga, Hokkaido
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
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
On April 25, 2026, a bear about 1 meter long was filmed along a national road in Tomamae Town, Hokkaido. The bear repeatedly looked back at the filmer while eating what appeared to be wild shoots, showing signs of being accustomed to humans.
Tomamae, 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
Around 07:50 on April 23, 2026, a driver spotted two bears believed to be a parent and cub at the roadside in Fujiyama, Rumoi City, Hokkaido (one about 1.5 m long, the other under 1 m). The site was about 40 meters from the nearest house; police say bears were also seen in the same area last week and are warning residents that they may be the same animals.
Rumoi, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 20:00 with 3 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido).
The most recent sighting was reported 4 days ago near Toyotomi Fukunaga, Hokkaido; the location sits about 293.2 km from the start of the route and 363 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 20:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 331 km route from Sapporo Beer Museum to Wakkanai crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 9 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 1 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 4 days ago near Toyotomi Fukunaga, Hokkaido; the location sits about 293.2 km from the start of the route and 363 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 2 weeks ago at Tomamae, Hokkaido, sitting about 190.4 km from the start and 38 m off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.
