What other travelers are saying about Abashiri Prison Museum
Highly recommended for you to stop by and visit. It gives you an insight of the prison system in japan (before and currently). It’s a big area so their guide map should help you where to go in order so you wouldn’t use too much time and effort.
A cool yet haunting experience that was my main reason for coming to Abashiri.
The museum is interactive and really does an excellent job of telling the stories of those who worked and were imprisoned there.
Snow on the ground really painted a picture of the conditions that would have faced those there in winter.
The museum is set on the original site of the Abashiri Prison. The prison’s architecture is stunningly preserved, showcasing the five-wing wooden radial prison design, centered around a towering watchtower.
The museum goes beyond just buildings by incorporating lifelike mannequins and detailed narratives, immersing visitors in the history and the daily lives of inmates and guards alike.
Very interesting place to visit. I watched Golden Kamuy which sparked an interest to come here. Quite sombre reading/seeing/watching the history of the place.
When we were here, it was blazing hot. Bring an umbrella. We had one and it made things slightly more bearable. There are some provided apparently, but we didn’t see any at all anywhere. There’s one building with air conditioning which provided some reprieve.
Abarishi is a good stop on the drive from Kitami to Shiretoko. The prison museum sits on very large grounds and is a made up of restored and replicas of what the prison was like from the late 1800s to early 1900s
The attention to details helps to bring one back to how life was like not only for prisoners but also prison guards.
The buildings are original structures from the prison that operated from 1890 to 1984. Over 20 authentic buildings remain on site, including the 1912 radial cell block with its five-wing design, guard towers, bathhouses, and administrative offices.
A complete visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours to tour all cell blocks, view mannequin displays, examine exhibits, and explore the various buildings throughout the complex.
The museum is educational but depicts harsh prison conditions and punishment methods through mannequin scenes. Parents should assess whether the content is appropriate based on their children's age and sensitivity.
Yes. The museum operates throughout the year. Winter visits require warm clothing as temperatures can be severe, while summer offers more comfortable conditions. The open-air format means weather appropriate dress is essential in all seasons.
