In 2021, I had the opportunity to visit the Abashiri Prison Museum. Walking through the museum, I saw firsthand the cells, workspaces, and the overall living conditions of the prisoners. The displays and preserved areas provide a vivid depiction of the harsh realities faced by the inmates. One of the most intriguing aspects of the museum is its connection to popular culture; it is featured prominently in the anime "Golden Kamui," which adds another layer of interest for visitors.

The museum offers a chilling yet fascinating look into the past, with numerous stories and exhibits detailing the prison's history and the lives of its prisoners. If you're interested in history, crime, or anime, Abashiri Prison Museum is a must-visit.

Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00
*Admission until 16:00Closed days: 12/31 - 1/1

Admission fee: 1500 yen

About:

The Abashiri Prison Museum is an outdoor museum of history where buildings of the original Abashiri Prison are conserved and exhibited. Abashiri Prison and the City of Abashiri have maintained close relationships since the Meiji era (1868-1912). The museum is on the side of Mt. Tento, facing Lake Abashiri, in a scenic area of Abashiri Quasi-national Park. The site area is 3.5 times as large as Tokyo Dome. At the museum, community-based activities are conducted every day in order to improve the museum as a "universal museum".