Found in the very east of rural Eastern Hokkaido, Abashiri is home to a number of lakes, views over the Okhotsk Sea, and museums about the fascinating Okhotsk culture as well as one of the most in-depth prison museums around for the perfect mix of nature and culture.
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Lake Notoro
![Lake Notoro]()
Lake Notoro
One of the largest lakes in the east of Hokkaido, the nature enveloped Lake Notoro takes up a large part of the north of Abashiri facing onto the Okhotsk Sea. While the lake can be reached in 20 minutes by bus from Abashiri Station, for a bit more freedom hire a car or grab a bike and take a trip around the whole lake. Offering a range of scenery with the changing of the seasons, visit during Hokkaido’s icy winter months and you’ll be greeted with a frozen over lake which makes for a perfect smelt fishing environment, while April to October is the time to visit to try your hand at wild clam hunting. If it’s views you’re after, visit in September when the lake’s seagrass turns a dazzling tone of red which is celebrated at the annual coral grass festival, the Sangoso Matsuri.
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Abashiri Prison Museum
![Abashiri Prison Museum]()
Abashiri Prison Museum
Boasting one of the oldest wooden prison structures in the world, Abashiri Prison Museum gives visitors the rare chance of getting a close-up look into prison life over 100 years ago. Opened in the 1890s, the remaining and reconstructed prison buildings are brought to life with wax models demonstrating the everyday activities of the inmates all those years ago. For 1,080 yen (750 yen for high school and college students, and 540 yen for elementary and junior high school students) visitors can take a look around the 20+ buildings which include an exhibition about the progression of prisons and a canteen that serves up a surprisingly appetising typical prison meal.
- Abashiri Prison Museum
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- Hokkaido Abashirishi Yobito 1-1
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- 9:00-17:00 (may change depen…
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Abashiri Kanko Hotel
23 Yobito Abashiri Hokkaido
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Hana Tento Flower Park
![Hana Tento Flower Park]()
Hana Tento Flower Park
With over three hectares of up to 45,000 flowers in a kaleidoscope of colors, the Hana Tento flower park is a vibrant spot just to the east of Lake Abashiri. Sage, marigold, salvias, sunflowers; the park is home to a whole host of different flowers which make up one Instagrammable picture carefully planted in rows of contrasting colors. While the flowers bloom from July to October, August and September are the months to visit for the most vibrant views.
Abashiri Kanko Hotel
23 Yobito Abashiri Hokkaido
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Okhotsk Chipmunk Park
![Okhotsk Chipmunk Park]()
Okhotsk Chipmunk Park
Found in the same green space as the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, the Okhotsk Chipmunk Park is the ethical zoo animal lovers have been searching for. The passionate owner of the park has done her best to provide these adorable little rodents with as much space as possible. The 400-yen entrance fee includes a bag of food which the chipmunks are fearless enough to eat straight from a human hand. As free as the chipmunks may be, stories of chipmunks being crushed under careless feet mean watching where you walk is of utmost importance.
HOKUTEN NO OKA Lake Abashiri Tsuruga Resort
159, Yobito Abashiri Hokkaido
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Cape Notoro
![Cape Notoro]()
Cape Notoro
While drift ice can be seen off the east coast from many points along the east coast of Hokkaido, Cape Notoro is celebrated as one of the top viewing spots. Made up of rugged cliffs which separate Lake Notoro from the Okhotsk Sea, the cape is also home to a picturesque lighthouse which overlooks the crashing waves below, an isolated and peaceful spot for watching the sunrise or sunset over the sea.
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