Abashiri: Exploring the Homey City on Eastern Hokkaido
Found in the subprefecture of Okhotsk in Hokkaido, Abashiri, Japan is a city known as the home of the Abashiri Prison. This Meiji-era facility served as the prison of political prisoners, which has now been developed into a museum. The town of Abashiri is actually consisted of the villages of Abashiri, Kitami, and Nikubake, which were all merged to form the town in 1902. Finding a suitable hotel or inn within the city is easy, as the area has also been thriving in tourism for the past years.
Best Time to Visit
The winter season in Abashiri is packed with hundreds and thousands of tourists, mainly because of the Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival, which is held in early February. This event features ice sculptures that are lit up at night in various colors. Most of Abashiri, Japan hotels are booked come January, so make sure to reserve your suites early. On the other hand, the summer season is typically slow in the city, making the majority of the attractions very easy to explore.
What to Do & Area Attractions
For accommodations, check out Abashiri Kanko Hotel, which is just a nine-minute walk to Abashiri Lake View Ski Resort and a short drive away from Abashiri Prison Museum. This hotel also features an in-house restaurant and hot springs for your convenience. If you will be visiting Abashirikohan Onsen, the Dormy Inn Abashiri Natural Hot Spring is an accommodation just a walk away from the onsen.