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  4. Tomakomai to Otaru Canal Drive

Tomakomai to Otaru Canal Drive

Driving · Very High Risk · 678 km · 11h 55m · 10 stops · 30 sightings · Saved June 9, 2026 · Last updated 3 hours ago
Based on Tomakomai → Otaru Canal
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6
Incidents in last 7 days
30
Incidents in last 30 days
1 day ago
Latest

Safety Summary

This 678 km route runs from Tomakomai to Otaru Canal within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 30 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 6 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Abira, 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 (5)

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

Asahi Bridge
Moderate Risk

Asahi Bridge

Hokkaido

446 incidents

Tokiwa Park
Moderate Risk

Tokiwa Park

Hokkaido

447 incidents

Sōsei River
Low Risk

Sōsei River

Hokkaido

652 incidents

Sumiyoshi Shrine
Low Risk

Sumiyoshi Shrine

Hokkaido

92 incidents

Otaru Canal
Low Risk

Otaru Canal

Hokkaido

67 incidents

Asahi Bridge
Moderate Risk

Asahi Bridge

Hokkaido

446 incidents

Tokiwa Park
Moderate Risk

Tokiwa Park

Hokkaido

447 incidents

Sōsei River
Low Risk

Sōsei River

Hokkaido

652 incidents

Sumiyoshi Shrine
Low Risk

Sumiyoshi Shrine

Hokkaido

92 incidents

Otaru Canal
Low Risk

Otaru Canal

Hokkaido

67 incidents

Route Timeline

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S
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 45 km 46m 7 sightings within 5 km
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Around 6:40 PM on 2026-06-13, a bear was sighted in Shimizu-cho 3-chome, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·2 days ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

A bear was sighted on a park walking path in Midorigaoka Park, Shimizu-cho, Tomakomai, with one front paw extended from the woods.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·2 days ago
Tomakomai Kibacho 3-chome, Hokkaido

One bear sighted on the park promenade — a recreational spot where citizens can barbecue in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai Kibacho 3-chome, Hokkaido

2 days ago
Show 4 more

6/13 18:45 While walking around Kintaro Pond, I saw a brown bear in the shrubbery located southwest of the pond; only its upper body was visible. There was one bear, about 1.5 m long. It disappeared into the shrubs.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Official ·3 days ago
Tomakomai, Hokkaido

Around 06:50 on 2026-05-21, a bear was sighted in Takaoka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

Tomakomai, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago
Atsuma, Hokkaido

[Additional image] Atsuma River — on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism live camera Appears to be eating something 2026/05/20 From 4:06 In the center of the screen: crows, a hawk, and an animal that looks like a bear 5:15 — Several heads observed; cubs? 5:40 — Reddish-brown bear Location: Riverbank ahead of 166 Atsuwa, Atsuma, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido Latitude: 42.625833333 Longitude: 141.853337778 Live camera link — you can view past footage via the calendar icon

Atsuma, Hokkaido

3 weeks ago
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

News ·1 month ago
1
Hidaka, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 55 km 57m 3 sightings within 5 km

Bear tracks and droppings were found on farmland in the Oiwake-Kasuga area.

Abira, Hokkaido

Official ·1 day ago
Atsuma, Hokkaido

[Horori] Tracks.

Atsuma, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago

Atsuma, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
2
Chitose, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 135 km 2h 9m 8 sightings within 5 km
Bibai 盤の沢町本町, Hokkaido

Bibai 盤の沢町本町, Hokkaido

Official ·1 day ago
Asahikawa, Hokkaido

No.14 R8.6.6 Sighting

Asahikawa, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago

No. 12 R8.6.2 Sighting

Asahikawa 神居町神居古潭, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Show 5 more
Sunagawa オアシス, Hokkaido

Around 11:20 PM on May 27 in the residential-area city road of Nishi 3-jo Minami 9-chome, Sunagawa, a man in his 20s who had returned home by car spotted a bear-like animal about 1.5 meters long walking on the road after getting out in front of his house.

Sunagawa オアシス, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago

On 2026-05-27 around 16:30, a bear was sighted in Mogami, Kurisawa-cho, Iwamizawa, Hokkaido.

Iwamizawa, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago

Bibai 日東町, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago

Around 16:30 on May 19, 2026, three bears (a mother and two cubs) were sighted in Kamui-cho Nishioka, Asahikawa. The sighting was confirmed on site.

Asahikawa 神居町西丘, Hokkaido

News ·3 weeks ago

No. 4 2023-05-19 Sighting (mother and cub)

Asahikawa 神居町西丘, Hokkaido

Official ·1 month ago
3
Tokiwa Park, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 28 km 40m Includes steps 6 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 ·2 weeks ago

No.10 R8.5.31 Growling sound

Asahikawa 西神楽南, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Biei 字美田, Hokkaido

May 30, R8

Biei 字美田, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Show 3 more

No. 8 R8.5.27 Sighting

Asahikawa 西神楽一線, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
Asahikawa, Hokkaido

A bear was sighted in Nishikagura Minami 17, Asahikawa.

Asahikawa, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago

No. 7 R8.5.25 Sighting

Asahikawa 西神楽南, Hokkaido

Official ·3 weeks ago
4
Biei, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 31 km 38m 1 sightings within 5 km
Biei 字美田, Hokkaido

May 30, R8

Biei 字美田, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
5
Furano, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 117 km 1h 57m 1 sightings within 5 km
Memuro 北明西七線, Hokkaido

One brown bear sighted

Memuro 北明西七線, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
6
Obihiro, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 181 km 3h 2m 3 sightings within 5 km

Bear tracks and droppings were found on farmland in the Oiwake-Kasuga area.

Abira, Hokkaido

Official ·1 day ago

A young brown bear (grizzly) was found dead near Shimukappu SA (service area).

Shimukappu, Hokkaido

1 week ago
Memuro 北明西七線, Hokkaido

One brown bear sighted

Memuro 北明西七線, Hokkaido

Official ·1 week ago
7
Yuni, Hokkaido
Low Risk 50 km 58m No incidents
8
Sōsei River, Hokkaido
Moderate Risk 36 km 47m Includes steps 4 sightings within 5 km
Otaru Boyodai, Hokkaido

Brown bear sighting information (June 8, 2026) Date and time: June 8 (Monday) — 7:40 AM (footprints), around 8:40 AM (scat) Location: Near Asarigawa Onsen 1-chome, Otaru City (footprints) Near Asarigawa Onsen 1-chome 103, Otaru City (scat)

Otaru Boyodai, Hokkaido

1 week ago
Otaru Tenjin, Hokkaido

Sighting near the water treatment plant in Tenjin 2-chome

Otaru Tenjin, Hokkaido

1 week ago

An animal resembling a bear was sighted in Teine Kanayama, Teine Ward, Sapporo.

Sapporo Teine-Kanayama, Hokkaido

News ·2 weeks ago
Show 1 more
Sapporo Teine-Inaho, Hokkaido

No. 17 — June 1, 2026 (Monday): Location: Untitled area of Teine Honcho (on the Teine Mountain foothill route, between approximately 1 km and 5 km from the “Teine IC” entrance toward Mount Teine). Description: Sighted an animal believed to be a brown bear. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.108911,141.215285

Sapporo Teine-Inaho, Hokkaido

Official ·2 weeks ago
G
Otaru Canal, Hokkaido
Total Distance: 678 km

When Are Bears Most Active?

Peak activity at 4:00 with 2 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, 30 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 6 of them.

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

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

What time of day are bears most active here?

Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.

Is this route safe to travel right now?

This 678 km route runs from Tomakomai to Otaru Canal within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 30 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 6 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Abira, Hokkaido. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.

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