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 from Asahikawa and a junction of the Senmo Line to Kushiro via Akan National Park.Okhotsk Limited Express trains run from Sapporo to Abashiri. There are four daily departures, reaching Abashiri in 5 1/2 hours at a cost of ¥9440 each way. There is no charge for the service 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.

Road Stop Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri, Ryuhyo Glass Museum, Abashiri Municipal Art Museum, Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum/ Mt.Tento Observatory, Museum of Northern Peoples, Abashiri Prison Museum, Moyoro Shell Mound Museum

Road Stop Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri

General information on the area that is useful for sightseeing in Abashiri can be found here. There are many great things to do here such as enjoying a "stone foot bath", restaurants which serve meals made with local produce, and shopping for souvenirs. During the winter it becomes the departure and arrival terminal for the ice-breaker cruiser "Aurora."

Ryuhyo Glass Museum

Used fluorescent lights are recycled into the chief ingredient for making glass. Glass art that is made is then exhibited and sold, and anyone can try glass blowing and making small glass balls. (reservation necessary)
Watch the Sea of Okhotsk and the process of blowing glass while you dine at the café on site.

Abashiri Municipal Art Museum

This art museum exhibits works by artists born in Abashiri. Magnificent paintings from the Okhotsk region await you.

Okhotsk Ryuhyo Museum/ Mt.Tento Observatory

A museum devoted to pack ice, a common phenomenon in the Okhotsk Sea but for some reason a subject of fascination among the Japanese. Here you will learn all you ever wanted to know and more about pack ice, and even get a chance to touch some in a room kept at -15 degrees C (5 degrees F) (coats provided). ¥520.

Museum of Northern Peoples

A modern and moderately interesting museum documenting the lives of northern peoples around the world, not just Japan's own Ainu, but Canadian Inuit, Scandinavian Lapps and many more. Most of the material is also in English and there are some fairly bizarre exhibits involving, among other things, seal intestines. ¥450.

Abashiri Prison Museum

The original buildings of the infamous prison, but moved halfway up Mt. Tento to free up some real estate. Inside are wax dolls of prisoners and a hair-raising array of shackles and other prison paraphernalia. ¥1050.

Moyoro Shell Mound Museum

The largest archaeological ruins in the Okhotsk area are preserved here. You can learn about the Moyoro people, who had their own distinct culture some 1000 years ago.

Information not available

Information not available

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