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This 348 km route runs from Higashi Ward, Sapporo to Assabu within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 77 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 9 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Mori Himekawa, Hokkaido.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
Evidence No. 13 — June 23, 2026 — Crop damage and footprints on Himekawa town-owned farmland along the Obironaigawa tributary of the Himekawa River.
Mori Himekawa, Hokkaido
Sighting No. 12 — June 22, Reiwa 8: Crossed Komagatake near the 5th station, moving from the north side (Yakumo Town side) to the south side (Nanae Town side).
Mori, Hokkaido
Capture No. 6 June 19, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Mori Komagatake, Hokkaido
Around 11:30 on 2026-06-19, a bear was sighted in Togeshita, Nanae Town, Hokkaido.
Nanae Togeshita, Hokkaido
[26] 6/19 8:00 A pig farm employee discovered a deer carcass on the premises. Two municipal staff and police officers inspected the site. Because of the condition of the deer, it is highly likely it was attacked by a brown bear (Higuma), so surveillance cameras were installed.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
6/19 observed crossing the road; afterwards crossed Route 5 as well and moved into the mountains
Nanae Togeshita, Hokkaido
June 18, Heisei 8 (1996), 5:20 AM
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
Sightings No. 11 — June 18, Reiwa 8: Walking toward the highway near the Washinoki ruins
Mori Washinokicho, Hokkaido
Capture No. 5 — June 18, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Mori Morikawacho, Hokkaido
crossing a road
Assabu, Hokkaido
June 17, 1996, 6:10 AM
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
[25] Nishikioka: At a point 700 m north of the Chuo Interchange, one brown bear moving from south to north, body length approximately 1.5 m, was observed. Subsequently it was exterminated.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Itoi, Tomakomai, Hokkaido, around 07:30 on June 15.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Capture No. 4 — June 14, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Mori Santai, Hokkaido
[23] 6/14 14:00 In a forested area located 300 m from a highway culvert, north along the municipal road (Koito-uo Road) in Miyanomori Town, a person who had come hiking and was eating a boxed lunch sighted an Ezo brown bear. The bear was about 1.5 m long and walked slowly westward.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Kunnui, Hokkaido
Around 6:40 PM on 2026-06-13, a bear was sighted in Shimizu-cho 3-chome, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted on a park walking path in Midorigaoka Park, Shimizu-cho, Tomakomai, with one front paw extended from the woods.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
One bear sighted on the park promenade — a recreational spot where citizens can barbecue in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai Kibacho 3-chome, Hokkaido
6/13 18:45 While walking around Kintaro Pond, I saw a brown bear in the shrubbery located southwest of the pond; only its upper body was visible. There was one bear, about 1.5 m long. It disappeared into the shrubs.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Report No. 24 — June 13, 2026 (Saturday): Location: Near 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward. Description: Brown bear confirmed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.005025,141.420409
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
One adult bear was sighted at the entrance of Haginosato Nature Park in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido.
Shiraoi, Hokkaido
In Hagino, Shiraoi Town, a man driving a car saw one brown bear cross the road and move toward a residential area.
Shiraoi, Hokkaido
[18] Bibi, around 5:00 PM — One bear sighted at a point about 1 kilometer from the Shinchitose Airport IC intersection on the Dodo Izumisawa–New Chitose Airport Line (Route 1091) toward New Chitose Airport.
Chitose, Hokkaido
Tracks/Sign No. 8 — June 12, Reiwa 8 (2026): Feces at Morimachi Crematorium, Morimachi Cemetery
Mori Kasumidai, Hokkaido
A resident saw a bear-like shadow while driving home in Meitoku-cho 3-chome, Tomakomai.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
[21] 6/11 20:15 In Meitoku Town, about 100 m north from the Meitoku West Central municipal road, upon returning home I saw one animal resembling a brown bear in the neighbor’s parking area.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Around 09:00 on 2026-06-10, a bear was sighted in Nishikioka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
June 10, R8 (showa?), 3:55 AM
Oshamanbe Toyotsu, Hokkaido
June 10, 1996, 18:15
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
R8.6.10 17:45
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
[20] Nishikinoka: One brown bear sighted within Hokkaido Golf Club.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
June 9, 1996
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
One bear was sighted in Nishikioka, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Shizukari, Oshamambe Town, Hokkaido, around 20:50 on 2026-06-07.
Oshamanbe Shizukari, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Shizukari, Hokkaido
[Hokuto City] Sighting.
Hokuto Nozaki, Hokkaido
A person driving at night spotted one bear crossing Route 2 in Nakanoboribetsu Town, Noboribetsu City.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
A bear about 2 meters long was sighted on the premises of a confectionery manufacturer in Nishikioka, Tomakomai.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
[14] 6/5 7:10 Nishikioka district — While driving on the Nozomi Nishikioka municipal road, a person spotted a brown bear in a vacant lot. The bear’s body length was about 1.5–2.0 m. Noticing the observer, it ran off toward the south. In a second report, a driver near Hokkaido Institute of Technology on Prefectural Route 141, driving toward Mount Tarumae, saw a brown bear crossing the road from west to east.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
June 5, 1996 (Reiwa 8)
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
One brown bear was captured in a box trap and culled in Yamakegaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Kojohama, Shiraoi Town.
Shiraoi, Hokkaido
Around 17:55 on 2026-06-04, a bear was sighted in Komagatake, Mori Town, Hokkaido.
Mori, Hokkaido
[12] Around 18:52 on June 3, a driver traveling toward Chitose on Route 36 at the 3.6-km point of the Uenae Minami No. 1 road witnessed three brown bears occupying the roadway. The bears left heading east into the woods.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Sightings No. 6 — June 4, 2026 (Reiwa 8): Crossed National Route 5 near Komagatake Shojin Bridge, moving from the Komagatake side toward the highway side.
Mori Komagatake, Hokkaido
[13] 1) 6/4 ~8:30 AM~ Around 8:30 on June 4 — At Nishikioka district, on the city road Nishiki-Ōnuma Park Street, about 50 m south from the Jumokuen Bridge, one brown bear (body length ~1.0 m) was observed crossing the road from west to east. 2) 6/4 ~9:05 AM~ Around 9:05 on June 4 — Near the outer fence at the down-line Tarumae Service Area, one brown bear (body length ~1.5 m) was observed.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
On 2026-06-03 around 16:40, one bear was sighted in Aoba Park, Shintomachi, Chitose City, Hokkaido.
Chitose, Hokkaido
June 3, R8 (Reiwa 8) 18:40
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Shinmachi, Chitose City.
Chitose, Hokkaido
Around 5 PM on 2026-06-03, a bear was sighted in Shimonoyu, Yakumo Town, Hokkaido.
Yakumo Shimonoyu, Hokkaido
June 3, Reiwa 8, 17:00
Yakumo Shimonoyu, Hokkaido
[16] Mamachi, around 4:40 PM — A brown bear was sighted (one individual) about 100 m east from the Ohayou Bridge in Aoba Park, after entering the park path.
Chitose, Hokkaido
[11] 6/3 1) 16:00 — One brown bear sighted about 2 km north of Kosei Bridge. 2) 17:33 — One brown bear about 1.5 m in body length seen clinging to a tree at a point 1.1 km north of Kosei Bridge. After that, it walked slowly west along the forest road.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
June 2, 1996, 18:40
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Chayagawa, Hokkaido
June 1, Reiwa 8, 17:30
Yakumo Midoricho, Hokkaido
June 1, Reiwa 8 (2026) 8:00
Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido
A woman walking in Aoba Park in Izumisawa, Chitose, spotted one bear about 1 meter long at the soccer field.
Chitose, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Izumisawa, Chitose City.
Chitose, Hokkaido
[15] Izumisawa — Around 7:20 a.m. — Near Aoba Park soccer field — One bear sighted
Chitose, Hokkaido
Bear-like tracks were found in a field in Irisawa, Yakumo Town.
Yakumo Otoshibe, Hokkaido
May 30, 1996 4:30
Yakumo Irisawa, Hokkaido
One bear was sighted on a road in Yamagoe, Yakumo town, crossed the road, and then left toward the mountains.
Yakumo, Hokkaido
In Yakumo's Yamagoshi district, a resident saw a bear about 1.5 meters long crossing the property through a home window.
Yakumo, Hokkaido
May 29, 1996 18:55
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
[10] 5/28 18:29 A driver traveling on National Route 36 from Chitose toward Tomakomai observed a brown bear about 1 m in body length crossing the road from west to east near the Penkenai Bridge (approximately 2.6 km from Moda Oil).
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Traces suggesting a bear were found in Torizaki-cho, Mori town, Hokkaido; bear-like animal droppings were found.
Mori Torizakicho, Hokkaido
May 27, 1996, 13:00
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Toyono, Hokkaido
May 27, 1996, 14:48
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
May 26, 1996, 12:25 PM
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
Sightings No. 4 — May 26, 2026: Crossed from the expressway side toward Mount Komagatake near the Komagatake Higashiyama bus stop on National Route 5.
Mori Himekawa, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Kamagatake, Mori town, Hokkaido, around 2:00 PM on May 26.
Mori, Hokkaido
Capture No. 3 — May 26, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Mori, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Mashu, Chitose City, Hokkaido, around 9:56 PM on May 25.
Chitose, Hokkaido
Around 09:50 on 2026-05-25, a bear was sighted in Yamakoshi, Yakumo Town, Hokkaido.
Yakumo, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 18:00 with 4 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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In the past 30 days, 77 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 9 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Mori Himekawa, Hokkaido.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 18:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 348 km route runs from Higashi Ward, Sapporo to Assabu within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 77 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 9 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Mori Himekawa, Hokkaido. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
