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  4. Minami Ward, Sapporo to Abashiri Drive

Minami Ward, Sapporo to Abashiri Drive

Driving · Very High Risk · 726 km · 15h 2m · 7 stops · 50 sightings · Saved June 17, 2026 · Last updated 15 hours ago
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10
Incidents in last 7 days
50
Incidents in last 30 days
1 day ago
Latest

Safety Summary

This 726 km route runs from Minami Ward, Sapporo to Abashiri within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 50 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 10 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Sapporo Bankei, 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 (6)

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

Nakajima Park
Moderate Risk

Nakajima Park

Hokkaido

1,692 incidents

Shinshū Ōtani-ha Sapporo Betsu-in Temple
Moderate Risk

Shinshū Ōtani-ha Sapporo Betsu-in Temple

Hokkaido

1,701 incidents

Tokiwa Park
Moderate Risk

Tokiwa Park

Hokkaido

452 incidents

Asahi Bridge
Moderate Risk

Asahi Bridge

Hokkaido

451 incidents

Akan River
Low Risk

Akan River

Hokkaido

132 incidents

Abashiri Quasi National Park
Low Risk

Abashiri Quasi National Park

Hokkaido

4 incidents

Nakajima Park
Moderate Risk

Nakajima Park

Hokkaido

1,692 incidents

Shinshū Ōtani-ha Sapporo Betsu-in Temple
Moderate Risk

Shinshū Ōtani-ha Sapporo Betsu-in Temple

Hokkaido

1,701 incidents

Tokiwa Park
Moderate Risk

Tokiwa Park

Hokkaido

452 incidents

Asahi Bridge
Moderate Risk

Asahi Bridge

Hokkaido

451 incidents

Akan River
Low Risk

Akan River

Hokkaido

132 incidents

Abashiri Quasi National Park
Low Risk

Abashiri Quasi National Park

Hokkaido

4 incidents

Route Timeline

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S
Minami Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido
High Risk 158 km 4h 22m 21 sightings within 5 km

A passerby in a car reported seeing one bear about 1.2 meters long in Bankei, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.

Sapporo Bankei, Hokkaido

News ·1 day ago

No.31 — Tuesday, June 23, 2026: Location: near 416 Bankei, Chuo Ward. Description: Brown bear sighted. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.029801,141.281141

Sapporo Bankei, Hokkaido

Official ·1 day ago

After descending Mount Moiwa and heading toward Yamanohana between the 6th and 5th stations, a black cub about 50 cm long was hiding in the sasa grass. The black fur on its ears was fluffy. The bear stayed still. I was too scared to take a photo at the time—seriously. But thinking back now, I found the fluffiness kind of cute.

Sapporo Moiwayama, Hokkaido

2 days ago
Show 18 more
Sapporo Kitanosawa, Hokkaido

Report No.29 — Saturday, June 20, 2026: Location: 1804-6 Kitanosawa, Minami Ward (about 100 m east of Right Kitanosawa No.2 Bridge). Description: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear (Higuma). Map: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.007,141.305635

Sapporo Kitanosawa, Hokkaido

Official ·4 days ago
Sapporo Jozankei, Hokkaido

While cycling just past the Toyohira Gorge Onsen sign, there was a strong animal odor. After I heard rustling in the bushes, whatever made the noise did not run further into the woods, so it is suspected to have been a bear.

Sapporo Jozankei, Hokkaido

4 days ago

[No.25] Sunday, June 14, 2026: Location: Jozankei (no street number) Description: Brown bear sighted Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.991191,141.164533

Sapporo Jozankei, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago

Tracks and feaces identified on the Kamui-dake/Eboshi-dake forestry trail.

Sapporo Koganeyu, Hokkaido

1 week ago

A bear was sighted in Bankei, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.

Sapporo Bankei, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

Around 6:50 PM on 2026-06-09, a junior high school boy saw three brown bears on a city road in Maruyama Nishi 2, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.

Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido

[No.22] Tuesday, June 9, 2026: Location: Near 1-jo 16-chome 1, Miyanomori, Chuo Ward Description: Sighted brown bears (3 individuals) Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.044131,141.296852

Sapporo Miyanomori, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

Three brown bears were spotted on a road in Maruyama Nishi-machi 2-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, and disappeared into the bushes after a car honked.

Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

A bear was reported sighted in Maruyama Nishi-machi 2-chome, Sapporo.

Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

Around 6:30 PM on June 7, a delivery driver saw one brown bear about 2 meters long in Maruyama Nishimachi 2-chome, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.

Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

[No.21] June 7, 2026 (Sunday): Location: Near 2-22 Maruyama Nishimachi, Chuo Ward Description: Brown bear sighted Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.043917,141.297722

Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago

[No.20] Friday, June 5, 2026: Location: Near 606 Misuromai, Minami Ward (riverside about 250 m north of Misuromai snow storage site) Description: Brown bear sighting Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.959288,141.251165

Sapporo Misumai, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

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

Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago

We saw a bear track in fresh urine on the Western Entrance path, right before reaching the ropes if you begin from the Western Entrance. We also saw trees stripped of bark and scratched all along the path from the Central Entrance to the fresh track.

Sapporo Toyama, Hokkaido

2 weeks 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 ·2 weeks ago
Ashibetsu Kawagishi, Hokkaido

Crossed from the mountain toward the river.

Ashibetsu Kawagishi, Hokkaido

3 weeks ago
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

A bear-resistant trash bin was installed in Maruyamanishimachi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo.

Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago

No.16 May 29, 2026 (Friday): Location: Nishi Ward, Heiwa mubanchi (approximately 600 m southwest of Bankei Bridge) Description: Brown bear sighted on camera Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.037333,141.248361

Sapporo Fukui, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
1
Furano, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 72 km 1h 46m 5 sightings within 5 km

At a farm in Nishikagura Minami 16, Asahikawa, a worker heard a bear-like low cry while working in a field, and the manager called 110.

Asahikawa 西神楽南, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago

No.10 R8.5.31 Growling sound

Asahikawa 西神楽南, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Biei 字美田, Hokkaido

May 30, R8

Biei 字美田, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Show 2 more
Asahikawa 西神楽一線, Hokkaido

No. 8 R8.5.27 Sighting

Asahikawa 西神楽一線, Hokkaido

Official ·1 month ago
Asahikawa, Hokkaido

A bear was sighted in Nishikagura Minami 17, Asahikawa.

Asahikawa, Hokkaido

News ·1 month ago
2
Asahi Bridge, Hokkaido
High Risk 68 km 1h 11m 16 sightings within 5 km
Aibetsu Kitamachi, Hokkaido

A bear was sighted in Kitamachi, Aibetsu Town, Hokkaido, around 17:40 on June 18.

Aibetsu Kitamachi, Hokkaido

News ·5 days ago
Aibetsu Higashimachi, Hokkaido

Aibetsu Higashimachi, Hokkaido

Official ·6 days ago
Tohma 緑郷五区, Hokkaido

6/17 sighting

Tohma 緑郷五区, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Show 13 more

Aibetsu Toyosato, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Pippu, Hokkaido

2026/06/16 sighting (1 bear)

Pippu, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Pippu 北十一線, Hokkaido

2026/06/11 sighting (1 bear)

Pippu 北十一線, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Pippu 北十三線, Hokkaido

2026/06/11 feces (1 animal)

Pippu 北十三線, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Aibetsu Fushiko, Hokkaido

Aibetsu Fushiko, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago

Around 07:00 on 2026-06-07 in Aizan, Aibetsu Town, bear-like animal footprints were found.

Aibetsu Aizan, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Aibetsu Aizan, Hokkaido

Aibetsu Aizan, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago

At about 13:37 on June 5, one bear was sighted in Nitto, Kamikawa Town.

Kamikawa Nitto, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Aibetsu Higashimachi, Hokkaido

Aibetsu Higashimachi, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Aibetsu Kitamachi, Hokkaido

Around 3:05 PM on June 4, a bear was sighted in Kitamachi, Aibetsu Town, Hokkaido.

Aibetsu Kitamachi, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago

Aibetsu Kanatomi, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago

Aibetsu Aizan, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago

Aibetsu Kitamachi, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
3
Kamikawa, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 189 km 3h 19m 4 sightings within 5 km
Kamishihoro, Hokkaido

Around 4:30 PM on June 22, a bear was sighted in Nukabira Onsenkyo, Kamishihoro Town, Hokkaido.

Kamishihoro, Hokkaido

News ·2 days ago
Kamishihoro, Hokkaido

A few hundred metres down from the Mikuni Pass Observation Deck, a mama bear and her cub were on the side of the road when our car approached the baby ran up the tree and the mum ran off the road into the bushes

Kamishihoro, Hokkaido

5 days ago

Captured a bear that had been appearing on farmland

Ashoro, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Show 1 more

Captured (1 bear) at the time the damage occurred

Ashoro, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
4
Kushiro, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 162 km 3h 1m 4 sightings within 5 km
Tsurui, Hokkaido

June 23, 2026, around 16:00 — Spotted one cub at the roadside 500 m west of Dosanko Farm on Prefectural Road 243, 28-4 Yukishiri, Tsurui Village. The cub entered the grove of scrub to the south.

Tsurui, Hokkaido

Official ·1 day ago

June 12, 2026: A single cub was sighted on a forestry-only road that branches left from the long straight section heading from Yukisato Bridge toward Tsurui town. The cub was in a tree. Body length about 70 cm.

Tsurui Nakasetsuri, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
Tsurui, Hokkaido

June 3, 2026, at approximately 7:40 PM, one brown bear was observed at the roadside. Its body length was about 1.5 meters.

Tsurui, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
Show 1 more

Bear was crossing and sitting at Utoro Ski Resort

Shari Utoro-Nakajima, Hokkaido

3 weeks ago
5
Shari, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 76 km 1h 22m 1 sightings within 5 km

Bear was crossing and sitting at Utoro Ski Resort

Shari Utoro-Nakajima, Hokkaido

3 weeks ago
G
Abashiri, Hokkaido
Total Distance: 726 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 13:00 with 3 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.

Bear risk analysis map showing route with safety levels

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

In the past 30 days, 50 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 10 of them.

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

The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Sapporo Bankei, Hokkaido.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 13:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 726 km route runs from Minami Ward, Sapporo to Abashiri within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 50 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 10 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Sapporo Bankei, Hokkaido. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.

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