Abashiri Heritage Tour by Private Vehicle

Discover the spirit of Abashiri on this private car tour through history, nature, and ancient northern culture. Visit Museum Abashiri Prison, an open-air museum preserving historic Meiji-era prison buildings, including Important Cultural Properties that tell the story of Hokkaido’s frontier development and the people who helped shape it. Continue to the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum, where you can learn about drift ice, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the natural environment that defines this region. Finally, explore Moyoro Shell Mound Museum, where original archaeological remains and tombs reveal the life of the ancient Okhotsk people who once lived along this coast. This tour is ideal for travelers who want a deeper understanding of Abashiri beyond standard sightseeing. Pickup is available from central Abashiri hotels, JR Abashiri Station, or Memanbetsu Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive from the city.

1. 1

   Abashiri Prison Museum

   2 hours

   Begin your journey at Museum Abashiri Prison, an open-air history museum that preserves historic prison buildings from the Meiji era. Here, you will learn how Abashiri became closely connected with the history of prison labor and the development of Hokkaido. The museum includes preserved and relocated structures, and several of its buildings are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. As you walk through the grounds, you can experience a powerful side of Abashiri’s past that helped shape the city’s identity.

2. 2

   Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

   1 hour

   Next, visit the Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum on Mt. Tento, where you can discover the natural world of drift ice and the Sea of Okhotsk. This stop offers insight into the harsh yet beautiful environment that defines eastern Hokkaido, with exhibits focused on drift ice and marine life. It is a great place to understand why Abashiri is so strongly connected to winter nature and the northern sea.

3. 3

   Moyoro Kaizuka-kan

   1 hour

   Your final main stop is Moyoro Shell Mound Museum, one of Abashiri’s most distinctive cultural sites. The museum introduces the mysterious Okhotsk culture through exhibits on housing, graves, and shell mounds, and its highlight is the cemetery exhibition room where excavated tombs are preserved and displayed in place. This visit adds a deeper historical layer to the tour, showing that Abashiri’s story began long before the modern prison era.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• The itinerary might be changed due to weather condition or other reasons.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.