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This 102 km route runs from Tomakomai to Otaru Canal within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 37 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 11 of them. The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido.
This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
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
[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
Around 06:50 on 2026-05-21, a bear was sighted in Takaoka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, 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
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
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
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
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
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
A bear attack occurred in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, and vigilance continued at an elementary school near the scene on the first school day after the incident.
Sapporo Nishimachi-kita 8-chome, 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
A man was attacked by a brown bear in Sapporo's Nishi Ward, and on the first school day after the incident the nearby elementary school remained on alert. At 07:00, police cars were patrolling the residential area around the site.
Sapporo Nishimachi-kita 8-chome, Hokkaido
[No.11] Saturday, May 16, 2026: Location: Maruyama Nishimachi, Chuo Ward, no street number (approximately 430 m south of Maruyama Fudo Falls) Description: Footprints confirmed Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.034972,141.304167
Sapporo Maruyama-Nishimachi, Hokkaido
While driving, two black animals ran across in front of me. I believe they were probably bear cubs.
Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, Hokkaido
A camera installed by Sapporo City captured a bear walking on a forest road in Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, at about 20:20 on May 14, 2026. When the city inspected the site on the 15th they found footprints about 10 cm wide near the camera; the bear's body length is estimated at about 1.2–1.3 meters, and footage from May 3, 7 and 13 also recorded nighttime bear appearances.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
Shortly after 20:00 on May 14, a single bear was captured by a fixed camera at the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Yagakeoka, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo. A trace survey on the 15th found footprints about 10 cm wide; the bear is estimated at 1.2–1.3 m long, and similar-sized individuals were recorded on the 7th and 13th in the area.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
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火葬場から手稲へ戻る途中、太陽光パネルのエリアで、細身だけど筋肉質なヒグマが歩いているのを見ました。
Sapporo Teine-Yamaguchi, Hokkaido
[No.10] Thursday, May 14, 2026: Location: Toyohira Ward, Hitsujigaoka 1 (on the grounds of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center) * Bear tracks were also confirmed about 100 m north of the camera location Description: Brown bear confirmed on camera Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.005028,141.420417
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
On the night of May 13, 2026, a camera near the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center in Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo captured the same brown bear once around 19:30 and again around 21:30. The bear is estimated at about 1.2–1.3 meters long; it was also filmed on May 7 at the same area, and Sapporo city is urging residents to strictly follow garbage disposal rules.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
On 2026-05-13, a fixed camera at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (Hokkaido branch) in Yagik?aoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo captured one brown bear (estimated 1.2–1.3 m) twice at about 19:30 and 21:30. The city inspected the area on the 14th, found footprints about 10 cm wide, and urged residents to follow garbage disposal rules and exercise caution.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
On the night of May 13, cameras installed in Sapporo's Toyohira-ku, Yōgakaoka, recorded the presence of one bear twice, at around 19:30 and 21:30. A camera had also recorded a bear in the area on the 7th, and Sapporo city is urging caution.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
No. 9 — Wednesday, May 13, 2026: Location: Near Yōgaka 7-1 (on a forest road about 1.2 km northwest from the summit of Yakeyama). Note: At approximately 19:37 the same day, one brown bear was also confirmed by a camera near the summit. Description: Brown bear confirmed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=42.98833,141.38799
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
In the garden flowerbed of a residence in Maeda 4-jo 8-chome, Teine-ku, Sapporo, approximately 6–7 footprints believed to be bear tracks (about 13 cm wide) were found around 08:00 on May 12. No other traces or damage were confirmed nearby; police, coordinating with Sapporo city, are investigating the tracks and conducting patrols during school commuting hours while urging residents to be cautious.
Sapporo, 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
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
Around 17:30 on May 7, a cub-like bear was sighted at Miyagaoka Park in Nishi-no, Nishi Ward, Sapporo; city officials checked the site but found no traces. The witness was about 50 meters away, so police treated it as a "bear-like" sighting and increased patrols while urging caution.
Sapporo Nishino, Hokkaido
[No.6] Thursday, May 7, 2026: No. Date: [No.6] Thursday, May 7, 2026 Description: Location: Near 290 Nishino, Nishi-ku (on the lawn area of Miyagaoka Park) [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/#no2654
Sapporo Nishino, Hokkaido
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
A roar/sound like a brown bear was heard from beyond the bushes.
Sapporo Teine-Honcho, 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
Around 19:30 on May 5, the city received an information email reporting a bear-like animal about 80 cm long walking west to east in front of the main gate of Teine Junior High School in Toyoka 3-jo 5-chome, Teine Ward, Sapporo. Police patrolled by patrol car but found no animal or traces and no damage was reported, so the city and police carried out investigations and increased vigilance from the morning of the 6th.
Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, Hokkaido
At around 19:25 on the 5th, a passerby reported seeing one animal resembling a brown bear in front of the main gate of Teine Junior High School in Tomioka 3-5, Teine-ku, Sapporo. On the 6th, Sapporo city reviewed nearby security camera footage and announced it was not a brown bear.
Sapporo Teine-Tomioka, 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
Peak activity at 4:00 with 7 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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In the past 30 days, 37 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 11 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 102 km route runs from Tomakomai to Otaru Canal within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 37 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 11 of them. The latest sighting was reported 3 days ago near Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido. This is an active bear corridor. Rerouting or rescheduling your hike is strongly advised.
