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Abashiri Prison Museum

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Abashiri Prison Museum

The former Abashiri Prison facility built in the Meiji Period is now open to the public as a museum.

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Abashiri Prison Museum is an outdoor history museum located in the Abashiri National Park area. On a site equivalent to 3.5 times the size of Tokyo Dome, the former Abashiri Prison buildings have been relocated, restored, preserved, and opened to the public.

Visitors can see valuable buildings built in the Meiji and Taisho periods, including four facilities designated as National Important Cultural Properties, such as the "shack and central guardhouse," which is the oldest existing wooden prison building in Japan, the "government building," which was used as the main facility for the prison administration, and the "counseling hall," where pastors and priests provided rehabilitation guidance to inmates.

At the theater in the Prison History Hall, visitors can experience the harsh labor conditions experienced by inmates a century ago on three screens. The cafeteria, where you can taste "prison food," a reproduction of the meals served to inmates at the current Abashiri Prison, and the museum store, which sells related books and prison work products, are also not to be missed. Hands-on classes such as brick making and making bean straw straps are also available with advance reservations (minimum of 4 people).

Highlights

  • An open-air history museum that preserves and opens to the public the former buildings of Abashiri Prison.
  • Visitors can learn about the work and life of prisoners in those days through the actual buildings and an interactive theater.
  • The government building, shack, and counseling hall are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
  • The museum has a cafeteria where visitors can enjoy prison food, and a museum store is located in the government building.
  • Visitors can learn how to make bricks, beanstalk straps, and birdcalls (reservations required).

Photos

  • The majestic red brick main gate

    The majestic red brick main gate

  • The main building that served as the mainstay of the prison administration department

    The main building that served as the mainstay of the prison administration department

  • Shack and central guardhouse

    Shack and central guardhouse

  • The counseling hall where monks and pastors gave guidance to the inmates

    The counseling hall where monks and pastors gave guidance to the inmates

  • The "Prison Experience Theater" where you can experience the work of prisoners through video images

    The "Prison Experience Theater" where you can experience the work of prisoners through video images

  • You can also taste "prison food" served to inmates.

    You can also taste "prison food" served to inmates.

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have pamphlets in other languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)
A

English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Korean are available.

Q

Is it possible to re-enter the premises?
A

Not allowed. However, it is possible to re-enter after eating at the jail cafeteria on the grounds or after shopping at the product center (store).

Q

Is free WiFi available in the facility?
A

Available in the cafeteria and government buildings.

Q

Are coin lockers available?
A

Located in front of the ticket counter.

Reviews

5

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Way Huang

    The Abashiri Prison Museum is really unique. They even have interactive experiences, like a theater where you can feel what it was like for prisoners through videos, and you can try prison meals too. It's not just about looking at prison history—you actually get to experience and understand it. Definitely more engaging than a typical museum.

  • みのさん

    This is a history museum where you can learn about the history of Hokkaido's development and what communal life was like back then. The exhibits are clean and easy to understand, and the garden is beautiful too. They had pamphlets in English and Chinese. The grounds are pretty big, so if you want to take your time, make sure you have plenty of time to visit.

  • 施文千

    The cafeteria inside the Abashiri Prison Museum is really unique! I actually came here just to check it out and try the food~

  • 夏婉欣

    The Abashiri Prison Museum's main building used to be the prison management center. The whole structure is a classic example of Meiji-era government architecture.

  • 朱立山

    Abashiri Prison Museum—this used to be the toughest prison to escape from in Japan. Now it's an educational and fun museum. Definitely worth a visit!

Details

Name in Japanese
博物館 網走監獄
Postal Code
099-2421
Address
1-1, Aza Yobito, Abashiri City, Hokkaido
Telephone
0152-45-2411
Closed
December 31st, January 1st
Business Hours
9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Admission allowed until 4:00pm)
Admission
Adult 1,500 yen, High school student 1,000 yen, Elementary and junior high school student 750 yen
Directions
10 minutes by Abashiri bus from Abashiri Station on the JR Sekihoku Main Line, get off at "Abashiri Prison Museum" and walk immediately
Credit Cards
Accepted
Website
Official Website (English)

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