Abashiri Prison Museum

The Abashiri Prison Museum is located in Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. This open-air museum preserves the original buildings of Abashiri Prison, which operated from 1890 to 1984 as one of Japan's most notorious correctional facilities. The prison played a significant role in Hokkaido's development, as inmates provided forced labor for major infrastructure projects including road construction through the island's harsh wilderness.

The museum occupies the prison's actual site and features over 20 preserved buildings including cell blocks, guard towers, bathhouses, and administrative offices. The main radial cell block, built in 1912, remains intact with its distinctive five-wing design allowing guards to monitor all corridors from a central point. Lifelike mannequins recreate scenes of prison life, showing inmates in their cells, at forced labor, and enduring the brutal winter conditions. The facility held some of Japan's most dangerous criminals and political prisoners, with many perishing during construction projects in temperatures dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Visitors can walk through authentic prison cells, examine historical documents and photographs, and view exhibits explaining the harsh penal system and daily routines. The museum includes displays about famous escape attempts and the prison's role in opening up Hokkaido's frontier. A preserved wooden bath house and dining hall offer insight into the inmates' minimal living conditions. The facility also maintains historical records of the 1,000-plus prisoners who died during road construction projects.

The museum is accessible from Abashiri Station by bus, with the journey taking approximately 10 minutes. Alternatively, visitors can take a taxi or rent bicycles for the 2.5-kilometer trip. Admission costs ¥1,500 for adults and includes access to all buildings and exhibitions. English signage and audio guides are available throughout the complex.