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  4. Sapporo Clock Tower to Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Drive

Sapporo Clock Tower to Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill Drive

Moderate Risk · 8.7 km · 26m · 2 stops · 6 sightings · Saved May 9, 2026 · Last updated 10 hours ago
0 views
3
Incidents in last 7 days
6
Incidents in last 30 days
2 days ago
Latest Incident

Safety Summary

This 8.7 km route from Sapporo Clock Tower to Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 6 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 Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido; the location sits about 7.6 km from the start of the route and 2.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Sapporo Minami-5-jo-Nishi 4-chome, Hokkaido, sitting about 994 m from the start and 561 m off the route line.

With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.

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

Your Route

Route Profile

Highlights Along Your Route (5)

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

JR Tower
Moderate Risk

JR Tower

Hokkaido

1,640 incidents

Sapporo Clock Tower
Moderate Risk

Sapporo Clock Tower

Hokkaido

1,649 incidents

Odori Park
Moderate Risk

Odori Park

Hokkaido

1,670 incidents

Sapporo TV Tower
Moderate Risk

Sapporo TV Tower

Hokkaido

1,651 incidents

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Moderate Risk

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill

Hokkaido

1,627 incidents

JR Tower
Moderate Risk

JR Tower

Hokkaido

1,640 incidents

Sapporo Clock Tower
Moderate Risk

Sapporo Clock Tower

Hokkaido

1,649 incidents

Odori Park
Moderate Risk

Odori Park

Hokkaido

1,670 incidents

Sapporo TV Tower
Moderate Risk

Sapporo TV Tower

Hokkaido

1,651 incidents

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Moderate Risk

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill

Hokkaido

1,627 incidents

Route Timeline

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S
Sapporo Clock Tower, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 8.7 km 26m 6 sightings within 5 km
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Around 19:50 on May 7, a single bear was recorded by a mounted camera walking in the forested area of Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo. On the night of May 3 there was also a reported bear appearance inside the grounds of a research facility in the same Hitsujigaoka area of Toyohira Ward.

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

News ·2 days ago

No.7 — May 7, 2026 (Thursday): No. Date: No.7 — May 7, 2026 (Thursday) Description: Location: Near 7-1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (on a forest road about 1.2 km northwest from the summit of Yaki-yama) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area] Details: Brown bear confirmed on camera Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2655

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Official ·3 days ago

On the night of May 3, 2026, a camera installed by Sapporo captured one brown bear inside the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Yōgakyū, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo. The city inspected the site on May 4 but found no traces of the bear and judged it unlikely that the animal regularly approaches inhabited areas.

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

News ·6 days ago
Show 3 more

No.5 — May 3, 2026 (Sunday): No. Date: No.5 — May 3, 2026 (Sunday) Description: Location: Near 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (on the grounds of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center) [The pin on the map indicates the surrounding area.] Details: Brown bear (grizzly) spotted on camera. Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2653

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago

[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

Official ·3 weeks ago
Sapporo Minami-5-jo-Nishi 4-chome, Hokkaido

At around 05:45 on April 14, 2026, a hospital staff member sighted one bear about 2 meters long in the woodland roughly 20 meters west of Miyano-mori Hospital in Miyanomori, Chuo-ku, Sapporo. The bear walked north and left the area; there were no injuries or reported damage, and a follow-up investigation by Sapporo city found no tracks or other traces.

Sapporo Minami-5-jo-Nishi 4-chome, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
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Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill, Hokkaido
Total Distance: 8.7 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 5:00 with 1 incidents

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.

Trip Report - Lake Biwa
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

Over the past 30 days, 6 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).

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

The most recent sighting was reported 2 days ago near Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido; the location sits about 7.6 km from the start of the route and 2.0 km off the route line.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 5:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 8.7 km route from Sapporo Clock Tower to Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 6 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 Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido; the location sits about 7.6 km from the start of the route and 2.0 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Sapporo Minami-5-jo-Nishi 4-chome, Hokkaido, sitting about 994 m from the start and 561 m off the route line. With activity this close, slow through forested stretches and stay alert at dawn and dusk when bears cross roads.

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