Abashiri Prison Museum
Japan’s Only Open-Air Museum of Historic Prison Architecture
An open-air museum preserving historic buildings from the former Abashiri Prison. Explore these structures and discover Japan’s prison history firsthand.
The Abashiri Prison Museum preserves historic buildings from the former Abashiri Prison, including cell blocks, the Administration Office, and the Kyokaido (Chapel). The site features 8 Important Cultural Properties and 6 Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, recreating the atmosphere of a Meiji- and Taisho-era prison.
The highlight is the Cell Block and Central Guard House, an Important Cultural Property. Five cell blocks radiate from a central watchtower, allowing guards to oversee every corridor. It is the world’s oldest surviving wooden radial cell-block complex. Visitors can enter part of the 226-cell facility and gain insight into the lives of former prisoners.
Other highlights include the light-blue and gray Administration Office, the self-sufficient Futamigaoka Branch Prison, and the Kyokaido (Chapel), which blends Japanese and Western architectural styles. A three-screen theater recreates the history of prison labor in road construction, while the Kangoku Shokudo (Prison Cafeteria) serves meals based on current prison menus. Together, they offer deeper insight into Abashiri’s history and Hokkaido’s development.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
- Category
- With friends
- Historic sites, castles, culture properties, architecture
- Museums, science museums, art galleries, archives
- History, culture, art
- Shooting locations of films, dramas, or commercials
- Solo trip
- Guys' trip
- Family
- Travel style
- Travel Inspiration
- Have fun with the kids
- Nearest airports
General Information
- Postal code
- 〒099-2421
- Address
- 北海道網走市字呼人1-1
- Telephone Number
- 0152-45-2411
- Open
- 9:00-17:00
- Closed
- 12/31-1/1
- Prices
- Paid
- Car Park
- 400 spaces, free
- Directions
- ●By car: About 10 minutes from JR Abashiri Station
●By car: About 20 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport - Website
* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.
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