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  4. Namporo to Hakodate Hiking Route

Namporo to Hakodate Hiking Route

Moderate Risk · 253 km · 2 stops · 5 sightings · Saved May 5, 2026 · Last updated 6 hours ago
0 views
3
Incidents in last 7 days
5
Incidents in last 30 days
2 days ago
Latest Incident

Safety Summary

This 253 km route from Namporo to Hakodate crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 5 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 23.2 km from the start of the route and 1.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 5 days ago at Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido, sitting about 20.1 km from the start and 792 m off the route line.

With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.

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

Your Route

Route Profile

Highlights Along Your Route (3)

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

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Moderate Risk

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill

Hokkaido

1,625 incidents

Jōzankei
Moderate Risk

Jōzankei

Hokkaido

1,659 incidents

Jōzankei Onsen
Low Risk

Jōzankei Onsen

Hokkaido

1,649 incidents

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill
Moderate Risk

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill

Hokkaido

1,625 incidents

Jōzankei
Moderate Risk

Jōzankei

Hokkaido

1,659 incidents

Jōzankei Onsen
Low Risk

Jōzankei Onsen

Hokkaido

1,649 incidents

Route Timeline

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S
Namporo, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 253 km 5 sightings within 5 km

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 ·2 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 ·5 days ago

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 ·6 days ago
Show 2 more
Sapporo Makomanai, Hokkaido

No.4 — Friday, April 24, 2026 Date: No.4 — Friday, April 24, 2026 Description: Location: Near 160-2 Makomanai, Minami Ward (on the Sumikawa–Atsubetsu–Taki connecting road about 700 m east of Sapporo Komaoaka Incineration Plant) [The map pin shows the general area] Details: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear Address: https://www.city.sapporo.jp/kurashi/animal/choju/kuma/syutsubotsu/#no2652

Sapporo Makomanai, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks 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
G
Hakodate, Hokkaido
Total Distance: 253 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 22:00 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
Bear risk analysis map showing route with safety levels
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Moderate Risk
Low Risk

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Route

How many bear sightings are on this route?

Over the past 30 days, 5 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 23.2 km from the start of the route and 1.4 km off the route line.

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 22:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 253 km route from Namporo to Hakodate crosses Hokkaido. Over the past 30 days, 5 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 23.2 km from the start of the route and 1.4 km off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 5 days ago at Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido, sitting about 20.1 km from the start and 792 m off the route line. With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.

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