Abashiri
Discover Abashiri
Abashiri is the capital city of Okhotsk Subprefecture. Once unimaginably far in the back of beyond, the name Abashiri used to strike terror into the hearts of suspected lawbreakers: it was the site of Japan's first maximum-security prison, built in 1890 when the enlightened Meiji era leaders decided to copy Western ways instead of simply executing convicted criminals. Enlightenment in this case, however, translated into backbreaking hard labor (mostly road construction) and, for difficult cases like political prisoners, unheated cells in a region where winter temperatures often fall below -20 ° (-4 °F). The prison was finally closed in 1984, though a newly constructed prison continues the tradition. Today's Abashiri is an unattractive modern town filled with the implements and smells of its largest industry, fishing.
Taste of Abashiri...
Being a fishing port, the thing to eat here is fresh seafood, particularly crab. There's a morning market (網走感動朝市) with great selection. The best reasons to come to Abashiri are the natural attractions near it.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAbashiri is the closest thing in northern Hokkaido to a transport hub. The nearest airport is Memanbetsu, 16 km south of Abashiri. Buses connect to the train station before and after flights (25 minutes, ¥880). 44.019861144.2541031 Abashiri station is the terminus of JR Hokkaido’s Sekihoku Line (石北本線) from Asahikawa and Senmo Line (釧網本線) from Kushiro via Akan National Park. There are 5 direct trains to Abashiri on the Sekihoku Line daily: the twice-daily Okhotsk (オホーツク) runs directly from Sapporo taking 5h 25min (¥10,870 in 2025), from Asahikawa it takes 3h 46min (¥8,890 in 2025); the twice daily rapid express Taisetsu (大雪) taking 3h 54min (¥5,940 in 2025); and the once daily rapid Kitami (きたみ) taking 4h 30min. (¥5,940 in 2025). There are four daily services to Abashiri. All are local services which stop at every station. No seat reservations are possible. Night buses from Sapporo (around ¥8000) are the cheapest way to get to Abashiri....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Abashiri is fairly spread out. A network of buses radiates out from JR Abashiri Station. Being a fishing port, the thing to eat here is fresh seafood, particularly crab. There's a morning market (網走感動朝市) with great selection. The best reasons to come to Abashiri are the natural attractions near it.
Where to Stay
The best reasons to come to Abashiri are the natural attractions near it.
Money & Budget
Being a fishing port, the thing to eat here is fresh seafood, particularly crab. There's a morning market (網走感動朝市) with great selection. The best reasons to come to Abashiri are the natural attractions near it.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Abashiri
Sunrise
white and black bird flying over the sea during daytime
オホーツク流氷館
Sunrise
white and black bird flying over the sea during daytime
オホーツク流氷館
Sunrise
white and black bird flying over the sea during daytime
オホーツク流氷館
Sunrise
white and black bird flying over the sea during daytime
オホーツク流氷館
Sunrise