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This 251 km route runs from Tomakomai to Chitose within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 2 of them. The latest sighting was reported 4 days ago near Yubari, Hokkaido.
With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
Around 06:50 on 2026-05-21, a bear was sighted in Takaoka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
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
While driving, two black animals ran across in front of me. I believe they were probably bear cubs.
Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, 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 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
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
Peak activity at 22:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
Safety picks and trail essentials, top-rated on Amazon and Rakuten.
For mountain rescue, call 110 (police). They will coordinate with local rescue teams.
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In the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 2 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 4 days ago near Yubari, Hokkaido.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 22:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 251 km route runs from Tomakomai to Chitose within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 8 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 2 of them. The latest sighting was reported 4 days ago near Yubari, Hokkaido. With activity this close, make noise as you hike, carry bear spray, and avoid the forest at dawn and dusk.
