All Reviews of Abashiri Prison Museum

A classic attraction in Abashiri, Hokkaido. The former Abashiri Prison facilities, built during the Meiji period, have now been preserved and opened as a museum. Admission is JPY 1,500. The grounds are very large, and you can visit many historic buildings and learn about the working and living conditions of prisoners and guards at the time. There is also a stamp-collecting activity in the buildings, with a unique stamp at each major spot. I especially liked the ingenious design of the prison area, which allowed guards to see several cells at a glance. There is also a recreation of the escape by Yoshie Shiratori, the “King of Prison Breaks,” which was really interesting!

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.

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.

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

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.

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!