Recently, during a trip to eastern Hokkaido, I visited Abashiri City.
The drift ice of the Okhotsk Sea viewed from the sightseeing icebreaker ship was spectacular, as I’ve previously reported.
Another place I visited in Abashiri was the Abashiri Prison Museum.
Since the Meiji era, Abashiri has had a prison, with many inmates conscripted for land reclamation work. This museum recreates the prison conditions and daily life of those inmates.
It’s also featured as a setting in the manga “Golden Kamuy.”
With surprisingly realistic figurines and depictions of the harsh prison life of that era, it’s an unconventional yet fascinating location!
Access to Abashiri Prison Museum
The Abashiri Prison Museum is approximately 15 minutes from Abashiri Station by bus and on foot.
By car, it’s within 10 minutes from the station.
Nearby stands the still-operational Abashiri Prison, so be careful not to confuse the two (I initially did).
Abashiri Prison Museum – Recreating Harsh Prison Life from the Meiji Era
The Abashiri Prison Museum is situated slightly uphill from the current Abashiri Prison.
This is the main gate. The recreation is so authentic that no one would question it being a real prison.
The “Prison Cafeteria,” where you can eat meals recreated from prisoners’ diets, wasn’t accessible due to time constraints. Regrettable!
I purchased an entrance ticket and entered.
The text seems rather intimidating…
Inside Abashiri Prison
Realistic Figures Welcome You at the Entrance
A prison guard awaits beside the entrance arch.
…But it’s a figurine. From here onward, various realistically recreated figures from that era appear.
Depicting hard labor. Quite… scary…
Even passing through the arch, a guard maintains a stern watch.
An elderly woman offers amazake (sweet sake).
This is a figurine. The realistic facial features and physique make it hard to distinguish at first glance.
Period nameplates and roof tiles were displayed.
Visitation Room – Prison Meetings
This is the visitation room.
A meeting between prisoner and visitor is recreated.
Viewed from the side… oh my.
Sir, what did you do to leave your wife and little child?
Brick Buildings Recreated with High Authenticity
The grounds are quite extensive, with brick buildings and high-quality recreations.
This is the courthouse.
The very moment of judgment.
Period documents remain preserved.
An elderly woman shoplifting, apparently…
From Prisoner Quarters to Work Tools – All Realistically Displayed
The prisoners’ sleeping quarters are also recreated.
This was personally the most realistic and startling…
Period agricultural tools are also displayed.
Blacksmithing work.
This is a recreation of a prison cell room.
For some reason, the guard here is just cardboard.
Cleaner than expected, with an atmosphere somewhat like a dormitory.
There’s also a corner where you can wear prison garb and hats.
There’s a bathhouse too! Apparently many of a certain persuasion were inmates—many figurines display elaborate tattoos like those you’d avert your eyes from at public baths.
This is the punishment cell. Extremely cramped and harsh-looking…
Final Thoughts
It may not be ideal for dates or family outings, but it’s certainly a unique place to see something you won’t find elsewhere.
If this article sparks your interest, please consider visiting during a Hokkaido trip!
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