Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples

Discover Northern Culture in Abashiri

As Japan’s only ethnographic museum specializing in northern regions, the museum offers a fascinating look at the cultures of people who have adapted their lives to the north.


Opened in 1991, the museum introduces the diverse cultures of northern peoples from Greenland to Scandinavia. Themed exhibitions explore ways of life shaped by harsh environments, including reindeer herding and sea mammal hunting. Visitors can see remarkable authentic artifacts up close, including clothing made from seal intestines and boats constructed from birch bark, offering a vivid glimpse into how people lived in harmony with their natural surroundings.


A highlight is the section devoted to Okhotsk culture, a distinctive part of Hokkaido’s history. Audio-visual displays bring the exhibits to life, allowing visitors to hear traditional northern instruments and appreciate the intricate beauty of the designs. As you explore the quiet exhibition spaces, the wisdom and cultures of people who lived in harsh northern environments seem to quietly come alive.


In Abashiri, overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk, take a moment to discover the cultures of the northern world, from prehistoric times to the present.

  • * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Nearest airports
New Chitose Airport Sapporo Okadama Airport Hakodate Airport Okushiri Airport Asahikawa Airport Wakkanai Airport Rishiri Airport Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport Memanbetsu Airport Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport Tancho Kushiro Airport Tokachi Obihiro Airport

General Information

Postal code
〒093-0042 
Address
北海道網走市字潮見309-1
Telephone Number
0152-45-3888
Open
9:30-16:30 (Jul.-Sep. 9:00-17:00)
Closed
Mondays, The New Year's holiday, and other temporary closures
*No closing days from Feb. and Jul.-Sep.
Prices
There is an admission fee (Please refer to the official website.)
Car Park
100 spaces, free
Directions
●By car: About 20 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport
Website

Official site (Japanese)

* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.

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