Abashiri



Abashiri (網走) is a small city on the northern coast of Hokkaido, Japan.

Understand
Abashiri is the capital city of Okhotsk Subprefecture. Once unimaginably far in the back of beyond, the name Abashiri used to strike terror into the hearts of suspected lawbreakers: it was the site of Japan's first maximum-security prison, built in 1890 when the enlightened Meiji era leaders decided to copy Western ways instead of simply executing convicted criminals. Enlightenment in this case, however, translated into backbreaking hard labor (mostly road construction) and, for difficult cases like political prisoners, unheated cells in a region where winter temperatures often fall below -20 ° (-4 °F). The prison was finally closed in 1984, though a newly constructed prison continues the tradition.

Today's Abashiri is an unattractive modern town filled with the implements and smells of its largest industry, fishing.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Get in
Abashiri is the closest thing in northern Hokkaido to a transport hub.

By plane
The nearest airport is Memanbetsu, 16 km south of Abashiri. Buses connect to the train station before and after flights (25 minutes, ¥880).

By train
Abashiri is the terminus of the JR Sekihoku Line (石北本線) from Asahikawa and a junction of the Senmo Line (釧網本線) to Kushiro via Akan National Park.

Four Limited Express trains run daily: Two Okhotsk services to/from Sapporo (5 hr 30 min, ¥9910), and two Taisetsu services to/from Asahikawa (4 hr, ¥7970, change at Asahikawa for Sapporo). There is no charge for these services with the Japan Rail Pass.

By bus
Night buses from Sapporo (around ¥8000) are the cheapest way to get to Abashiri. Buses arrive and depart from Abashiri Bus Terminal, a short walk east from JR Abashiri Station.

Get around
Abashiri is fairly spread out. A network of buses radiates out from JR Abashiri Station.

Eat
Being a fishing port, the thing to eat here is fresh seafood, particularly crab. There's a morning market (網走感動朝市) with great selection.

Go next
The best reasons to come to Abashiri are the natural attractions near it.
 * Shiretoko National Park, to the east, is one of Japan's best yet least visited national parks.
 * Akan National Park, to the south, is known for its three mysterious lakes.
 * The onsen village of Utoro in Shari is popular with onsen lovers.