Wakkanai~하코다테 아침시장 사이클링 루트

[No.9] May 16, 2026: Time: 19:20 Location: Wakkanai City, Kozetomimura, Ebisu-kita Witnessed a brown bear

Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido

Around 14:30 on May 11, 2026, a single bear approximately 2 meters long was seen walking slowly along a national highway on the outskirts of the urban area of Okoppe (Okoppe Town) in the Okhotsk region and was filmed. Police say there was also a sighting before 9:00 a.m. and have urged residents to be cautious.

Okoppe, Hokkaido

On 2026-05-11 at around 14:20, a single bear about 2 meters long was filmed walking along a sidewalk beside a national highway in Okoppe Town. After being filmed the bear entered a farm property and then ran into the mountains; police said the same bear had also been sighted in the morning and at night that day and are patrolling the area.

Okoppe, Hokkaido

On the afternoon of May 11 a brown bear about 2 meters long was filmed walking along a national road in Okoppe Town, Hokkaido, and was seen running at high speed before disappearing into the mountains. The article also reports that in the same town large bears weighing around 300 kg and a family group of three have been recorded.

Okoppe, Hokkaido

A fat bear crossed the road.

Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido

In Yubetsu Town, Hokkaido, between the early morning and around 7:30 AM on May 8, 2026, there were four consecutive reports of bear sightings and feces on the road, with traces confirmed near a gateball ground and on a town road east of Yubetsu High School. Police have increased patrols, especially during school commuting hours, and urged strict management of garbage disposal.

Yubetsu Kamiyubetsu Tonden Shigaichi, Hokkaido

On the morning of May 8, 2026, a newspaper delivery woman found bear droppings along a street in Nakayubetsu Higashicho, Yubetsu. Around midnight a single bear about 1.5 m long was sighted, footprints were found nearby, police are on alert, and Yubetsu High School canceled club activities and sent students home.

Yubetsu Nakayubetsu Higashi-machi, Hokkaido

Around 00:00 on May 8, 2026, a motorist near Yubetsu Town North Community Hall in Hokkaido sighted a bear about 1.5 meters long and reported it to the police. Shortly after 04:00 a newspaper delivery woman found bear droppings a few hundred meters away, and police are maintaining a presence with two patrol cars.

Yubetsu Kamiyubetsu Tonden Shigaichi, Hokkaido

Around 00:00 on the 8th, in the urban area of Nakayubetsu Kitamachi, Yubetsu Town (Okhotsk region), a man passing by in a car spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long and called the police. The bear left south along the road; droppings were found in front of a high school gate and footprints were also discovered.

Yubetsu Nakayubetsu Kita-machi, Hokkaido

On May 6 at around 10:00, a bear in Shari (Shiretoko Peninsula) emerged from the roadside, slowly crossed the road, walked along the shoulder and disappeared into vegetation on the opposite side. No damage to people or buildings was confirmed, and the police are conducting patrols by patrol car.

Shari Hon-machi, Hokkaido

On 2026-05-02 in Okoppe (Okhotsk area), camera footage captured a giant bear estimated at 1.8–2.0 m in length and about 250–300 kg. Another camera recorded the bear rubbing its back against a tree and showing large front claws.

Okoppe, Hokkaido

Around 10:00 on the 1st, a driver spotted a bear about 1.5 meters long walking on a road about 100 meters from Onishibetsu Elementary School in Sarufutsu Village and reported it to the Wakkanai police. The site was about 10 meters from houses, and the police are on alert.

Sarufutsu Onishibetsu-kitamachi, 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

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

A roar/sound like a brown bear was heard from beyond the bushes.

Sapporo Teine-Honcho, 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

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

According to Sapporo-area bear sighting information, a brown bear was sighted in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido on May 20, 2026. The article does not provide details on injuries or whether the bear was captured or removed.

Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido

Since spring, there have been repeated sightings and encounters with brown bears around the Shikotsu Lake shore in Chitose city, including while people were driving cars or riding bicycles. There were no injuries to people or livestock, and the Chitose police and city are urging residents to carry bells and bear spray.

Chitose, 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

In Noboribetsu City a driver spotted a bear about 2 m long crossing a road and ran to a police box to report it. The bear appeared roughly 150 m from the nearest house, and police are warning local residents to be cautious.

Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

While driving, two black animals ran across in front of me. I believe they were probably bear cubs.

Tomakomai Shinmeicho 4-chome, Hokkaido

On May 15, 2026 at about 20:35, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, spotted a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to the police box. The nearest house was about 150 meters away; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and city authorities and hunters found no traces during a site inspection on the morning of the 16th. Police are conducting patrols.

Noboribetsu, Hokkaido

Around 20:30 on May 15, a driver in Noboribetsu Higashi 3-chome, Noboribetsu City, observed a bear about 2 meters long crossing a road and reported it to a police box. The site is about 150 meters from the nearest residence; no human injuries or property damage have been reported, and police are patrolling by patrol car and urging caution.

Noboribetsu, 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

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

A bear was reported sighted in Suimeigo, Chitose City at around 09:15 on the 14th, according to the Chitose police. The article notes that the animal may later be confirmed not to be a bear.

Chitose, 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

At about 13:10 on May 12, 2026, two brown bears believed to be a mother and cub, about 1.5 m and 50 cm long, were sighted on the cycling road in Suimeikyo, Chitose. When the male cyclist turned back and fled, the bears disappeared in the opposite direction; there were no injuries, and police said this was the fourth sighting in the area this season and urged caution.

Chitose, 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

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

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

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