This 120 km route from Shiraoi to Sapporo TV Tower crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Tomakomai, Hokkaido; the location sits about 43.5 km from the start of the route and 594 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Tomakomai, Hokkaido, sitting about 50.5 km from the start and 23 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
2 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Hokkaido.
At around 22:50 on May 10, 2026, a driver spotted a roughly 2-meter-long bear crossing National Route 276 in Takaoka, Tomakomai. There was no collision or injuries, and police searched the area but did not find the bear or any traces.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
At around 07:40 on May 9, 2026, a single bear about 1.5 meters long was sighted in the northern mountain forest along Prefectural Route 16 near Shikotsuko in Suimeigyo, Chitose, Hokkaido. The bear later moved deeper into the forest; police had also confirmed a bear the previous day and have increased patrols.
Chitose, Hokkaido
The Chitose Police reported a bear was sighted in Suimeigyo, Chitose City at around 07:35 on the 9th. The article notes that it may later be determined that the animal was not a bear.
Chitose, Hokkaido
On May 9, 2026, one bear was sighted in Suimeikyo, Chitose City, Hokkaido. Authorities had also confirmed a bear the previous day nearby, and vigilance has been increased.
Chitose, Hokkaido
On May 7, 2026, shortly before 20:00, a fixed camera set up by the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute captured one bear in Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo. The bear's size and age are unknown; it was about 600 meters from the Nishioka residential area. Sapporo city warned that bears will become more active during the breeding season.
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
At Yufutsu River in Akebono-cho, Tomakomai City, a man fishing spotted one bear on the opposite bank and recorded it on video. The article notes that bear sightings have been increasing across Hokkaido since Golden Week and warns that this season presents a higher risk of close encounters between people and bears.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
In Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, an angler spotted a bear on the opposite bank and the animal was captured on camera. Sightings have been increasing during the holiday period, and authorities are warning people to be cautious as encounters can occur at close range.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
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
Just after 04:30 on May 3, 2026, a fisherman in Tomakomai's Akebono-cho encountered a brown bear at about a 10-meter distance and captured the moment on camera. The witness estimated the bear's body length at about 1 meter; on the same day a camera also recorded one brown bear near the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
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
[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
On the afternoon of April 15, 2026, water quality survey personnel spotted one bear at a reservoir near National Route 276 in Tomakomai. Marking traces where the bear had rubbed its back were found on a nearby tree, but no damage from the bear was reported.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Around 19:00 on April 14, a person walking a dog sighted a bear-like animal about 80 cm long on the riverbed north of the Kita-Juusanjo Bridge on the Toyohira River in Yonesato, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo. Police patrolled the area but found no footprints, droppings, or reports of damage; Sapporo City plans an on-site survey on April 15 and police will increase patrols during school commuting hours.
Sapporo 米里, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 7:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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Over the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido).
The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Tomakomai, Hokkaido; the location sits about 43.5 km from the start of the route and 594 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 7:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 120 km route from Shiraoi to Sapporo TV Tower crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 14 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through brown bear habitat (native to Hokkaido). The most recent sighting was reported 1 day ago near Tomakomai, Hokkaido; the location sits about 43.5 km from the start of the route and 594 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 3 weeks ago at Tomakomai, Hokkaido, sitting about 50.5 km from the start and 23 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, reroute or postpone your ride until activity quiets.
