Abashiri / Kitami / Shiretoko

Top Things to do

• Abashiri Prison Museum

  4.5

  769 Reviews

  Hokkaido Abashirishi Yobito 1-1

  This historic museum has preserved the former Abashiri Prison barracks as an outdoor museum. It was completely renovated in 2010. The virtual prison movie titled ''Forests Where Inmates in a Red Prison Uniform Worked'' is a must-see digital stereophonic theater experience focusing on the harsh working conditions of the erstwhile prisoners captured with the latest technology. One can explore the facility on a Guided Prison Tour, or actually eat the food the prisoners were given with the Experience Prison Food encounter. Two of the structures, 8 wards, transferred here are treasured as Japan's Important Cultural Properties.

• Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

  4.0

  381 Reviews

  Hokkaido Abashirishi Tentozan 244-3

  Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum, which is located on Tentozan in Abashiri City, is a tourist facility based on drift ice and the creatures who live in the Sea of Okhotsk. Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum has the biggest projection mapping in Hokkaido and displays the mysterious creatures such as the clione which live in the Sea of Okhotsk. The high-definition five-screen theater which includes a 300-inch screen is also impressive. One very popular experience is freezing a wet towel when touching the ice directly on the drift ice simulation terrace. At the highest observation terrace, 360-degree panoramic views are an amazing sight and have been designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty since 1938.

• Roadside Station Ryuhyo-Kaido Abashiri

  3.5

  253 Reviews

  Hokkaido Abashirishi Minamisanjouhigashi 4-chome

  The Roadside Station Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri, situated on the Abashiri Port Line Road and located at the mouth of Abashiri River, is a good spot for sightseeing with views over the Sea of Okhotsk and Shiretoko. Here you can get tourist information and buy local farm produce and processed goods. The drift ice sightseeing & icebreaker ship Aurora, which runs from the latter half of January through to the end of March every year, departs from a dock on the Abashiri River in front of the Road Station. It’s worth checking their departure times before you travel.

• Gurutto Panorama Bihoro Pass

  4.5

  209 Reviews

  Hokkaido Abashirigumbihorochou Furume

  This roadside station is in Bihoro Town, Abashiri County, Hokkaido. This rest area is on Bihoro pass, with an elevation of 525 meters, giving it a gorgeous view of the area. They have a cafe where you can try Crab Ramen, made with Okhotsk snow crab, and lots of souvenirs like bamboo-grass woven goods, and the pass' famous Ageimo fried potato snacks. There's also an observation room, tourist information space, and many other facilities.

• Shiretoko National Park Nature Center

  4.0

  194 Reviews

  Hokkaido Sharigunsharichou Onnebetsumura Iwao Iwa 531

  Shiretoko Nature Center displays original images of the Oku Shiretoko which cannot be easily entered, as well as pictures of the scenery taken from the sky and giving a bird’s eye view. Information counters also provide information on Shiretoko nature. Visitors are also able to rent boots and binoculars. It is located approximately one hour 45 minutes by car from Memanbetsu Airport.

• Roadside Station Utoro/Shirietoku

  4.0

  174 Reviews

  Shari-cho, Shari-gun, Hokkaido Utoro west 186-8

  This Shiretoko roadside rest area in Northern Hokkaido, situated on Route 334, is the gateway to the world heritage site of Shiretoko and is a great stepping stone for sightseeing into Shiretoko. Inside you can find shops selling food and products direct from Utoro fishing port, shops selling locally made products, and a restaurant where you can get great tasting seafood rice bowls. There is also a tourist information center where you can get more info and arrange sightseeing trips in Shiretoko, boat trips and accommodation.

• Drift Ice Breaker Garinko-go II

  4.0

  118 Reviews

  Hokkaido Mombetsushi Kaiyoukouen 1

  The world’s first drift ice-breaker cruise ship Garinko, began in 1987, was replaced with Garinko 2 in 1997, has a total length of 35 meters and can carry up to 195 passengers. In summer it is also acts as a fishing boat and proves to be a powerful force throughout the year. Because it’s the northernmost sea in Japan this is where you’ll find ice-breakers. You can reach the Garinko by a connecting bus in about twelve minutes from Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport. It takes about three hours by intercity bus from JR Asahikawa Station. They also have plenty of events going on all through the year.

• Kita no Daichi no Suizokukan

  4.0

  179 Reviews

  Hokkaido Kitami-shi Rubeshibecho Matsuyama 1-4

  The Kita no Daichi no Aquarium, which is the first in Japan to have a waterfall basin tank, lets you experience riverside living creatures from the great northern land. Phantom freshwater fish Japanese huchen are raised and kept here, growing up to just about one meter in length. Please enjoy a look at the freshwater fish from around the world raised on Onne's water. From JR Rubeshibe Station, it takes about 20 minutes by bus headed for Roadside Station Onneyu Onsen. Get off at the final stop and walk two minutes. It is about 2 hours 20 minutes by car from the Asahikawa Airport.

• Shiretoko Sightseeing Ship

  4.0

  131 Reviews

  Shari-cho Shari-gun, Hokkaido Utoro-e 107

  The Shiretoko Sightseeing Boat operates daily from the end of April to the end of October. The primitive landscape seen from the ship is an exceptional view. Due to its large size the ship is stable and does not rock so much. You can enjoy the scenery leisurely from either a non-reserved seat on the first floor or a reserved seat on the second floor, but the observation deck is recommended if you want to take great photos. It is about 50 minutes by bus from JR Shiretoko Shari Station. It takes about two hours by car from Memanbetsu Airport.