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  4. Kiyota Ward, Sapporo to Sobetsu Drive

Kiyota Ward, Sapporo to Sobetsu Drive

Driving · Very High Risk · 145 km · 1h 58m · 2 stops · 47 sightings · Saved June 9, 2026 · Last updated 5 minutes ago
Lorelei NeutralLisa Wischofskyhttps://www.figma.com/community/file/1198749693280469639https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/Remix of „Lorelei Neutral” (https://www.figma.com/community/file/1198749693280469639) by „Lisa Wischofsky”, licensed under „CC0 1.0” (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
Warm Wanderer @traveler-09a77515
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12
Incidents in last 7 days
47
Incidents in last 30 days
2 days ago
Latest

Safety Summary

This 145 km route runs from Kiyota Ward, Sapporo to Sobetsu within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 47 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 12 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.

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

Your Route

Route Profile

Highlights Along Your Route (1)

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

Shōwa-shinzan
Low Risk

Shōwa-shinzan

Hokkaido

1 incidents

Shōwa-shinzan
Low Risk

Shōwa-shinzan

Hokkaido

1 incidents

Route Timeline

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Kiyota Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Very High Risk 145 km 1h 58m 47 sightings within 5 km

[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

Official ·2 days ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Around 6:40 PM on 2026-06-13, a bear was sighted in Shimizu-cho 3-chome, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·2 days ago
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

News ·2 days ago
Show 44 more
Tomakomai Kibacho 3-chome, Hokkaido

One bear sighted on the park promenade — a recreational spot where citizens can barbecue in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai Kibacho 3-chome, Hokkaido

2 days ago

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

Official ·3 days ago
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, 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

Official ·3 days ago

One adult bear was sighted at the entrance of Haginosato Nature Park in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido.

Shiraoi, Hokkaido

News ·3 days ago
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

News ·3 days ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

A resident saw a bear-like shadow while driving home in Meitoku-cho 3-chome, Tomakomai.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·5 days ago
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

Official ·5 days ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Around 09:00 on 2026-06-10, a bear was sighted in Nishikioka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·5 days ago

[20] Nishikinoka: One brown bear sighted within Hokkaido Golf Club.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Official ·6 days ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

One bear was sighted in Nishikioka, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago

A person driving at night spotted one bear crossing Route 2 in Nakanoboribetsu Town, Noboribetsu City.

Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

A bear about 2 meters long was sighted on the premises of a confectionery manufacturer in Nishikioka, Tomakomai.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago
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

Official ·1 week ago
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

One brown bear was captured in a box trap and culled in Yamakegaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo.

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago

A bear was sighted in Kojohama, Shiraoi Town.

Shiraoi, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago
Tomakomai, 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

Official ·1 week ago
Tomakomai, 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

Official ·1 week ago

[No.19] Thursday, June 4, 2026: Location: Near 7-1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (about 1 km south of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute office building). Description: Brown bear (Higuma) confirmed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.987083,141.393

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago

On 2026-06-03 around 16:40, one bear was sighted in Aoba Park, Shintomachi, Chitose City, Hokkaido.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago

A bear was sighted in Shinmachi, Chitose City.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·1 week ago

[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

Official ·1 week ago
Tomakomai, 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

Official ·1 week ago

A woman walking in Aoba Park in Izumisawa, Chitose, spotted one bear about 1 meter long at the soccer field.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago

A bear was sighted in Izumisawa, Chitose City.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Chitose, Hokkaido

[15] Izumisawa — Around 7:20 a.m. — Near Aoba Park soccer field — One bear sighted

Chitose, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago

[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

Official ·2 weeks ago

A bear was sighted in Mashu, Chitose City, Hokkaido, around 9:56 PM on May 25.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago

A bear was captured on a camera in Aoba Park, Chitose City.

Chitose, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

[No.15] May 25, 2026 (Monday): Location: 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (on the premises of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center) Description: Brown bear spotted on camera Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.0051,141.42045

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago

No. 15 — May 25, 2026 (Monday): Location: Yagachigaoka 1, Toyohira Ward (on the grounds of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center). Description: Brown bear observed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.00533,141.42045

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago

Izumisawa — At approximately 9:56 PM, a single bear was sighted under the Dōō Expressway overpass near the lawn area of Aoba Park.

Chitose, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Around 2:49 a.m. on May 22, a bear was sighted in Yokozuka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo, and was seen on a security camera.

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago

Izumisawa — Around 8:28 PM: On the roadway about 700 meters from the Karasakubai Bridge on Prefectural Route 16 toward Lake Shikotsu, one bear sighted.

Chitose, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago

[No.14] Friday, May 22, 2026: Location: Near 7-1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (approximately 900 m southwest of the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute office building). *A camera in the area also confirmed one brown bear at around 3:33 a.m. the same day. Description: Brown bear confirmed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.99107,141.38383

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Around 06:50 on 2026-05-21, a bear was sighted in Takaoka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago

[8] Takadakaoka: National Route 276 — (1) At a point 300 m from Takadakaoka Second Cemetery toward Tomakomai, observed three brown bears crossing the road from east to west (body lengths: 2.0 m, 1.0 m, 1.0 m). (2) At a point 1 km from the sighting location in (1), observed two brown bears in the forest to the west.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Kitahiroshima 輪厚中央, Hokkaido

Brown bear sighting report 2026-2: Around 4:45 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was sighted.

Kitahiroshima 輪厚中央, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Kitahiroshima 輪厚中央, Hokkaido

Brown bear sighting report 2026-2: Around 4:45 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was sighted.

Kitahiroshima 輪厚中央, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido

At around 04:30 on May 20, a brown bear under 1 meter in length was sighted on a road in Shimamatsu, Kitahiroshima; police responded after a report. The bear left the road for the forest and there were no injuries. A golf course and a campsite are located nearby and police warned the public to be cautious.

Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido

Around 04:30 on May 20, 2026, a passerby spotted a bear about 1 m long near a golf course in Shimamatsu, Kitahiroshima; responding police officers also saw a similarly sized bear on a city road near the adjacent Kitahiroshima Natural Forest Campground. The city closed the campground for this weekend and city staff and the hunters' association are investigating.

Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido

Brown bear sighting report 2026-1: Around 4:10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was sighted.

Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago

Brown bear sighting report 2026-1: Around 4:10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was reported sighted.

Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Kitahiroshima 輪厚元町, Hokkaido

A brown bear less than 1 meter long appeared on a road near a golf course in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido. Because there is also a nearby campground, police are on alert.

Kitahiroshima 輪厚元町, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Around 01:30 on May 19 in Tomakomai City, Takuyu Higashimachi 4-chome, a resident reported seeing a four-legged animal believed to be a bear, about 1 meter long. Takuyu Elementary School carried out supervised school commutes and the city conducted an on-site investigation but found no tracks or droppings.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
G
Sobetsu, Hokkaido
Total Distance: 145 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 4:00 with 6 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

In the past 30 days, 47 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 12 of them.

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

The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 145 km route runs from Kiyota Ward, Sapporo to Sobetsu within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 47 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 12 of them. The latest sighting was reported 2 days ago near Tomakomai, Hokkaido. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.

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