Major city · Japan
Abashiri網走
Spend one day in Abashiri: see the Prison Museum, Icebreaker Aurora tour, and the Museum of Northern Peoples.
Abashiri is a small northern Hokkaido city with a prison museum, icebreaker tours and a northern peoples museum; all attractions fit in a single day, with easy bus links from the station.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (very cold, limited tours)
- Airport
- MMB
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Abashiri110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Abashiri, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyAbashiri is generally safe; winter weather can be extreme, so dress warmly and heed ice safety warnings.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMMB Memanbetsu Airport (16 km (9.9 mi) south, bus ¥880 (≈ US$6), 25 min).MMB Memanbetsu Airport (9.9 mi (16 km) south, bus ¥880 (≈ US$6), 25 min).
- Getting aroundBuses radiate from JR Abashiri Station; most sights are a short bus ride away.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerAbashiri Beer¥500–¥800 (≈ US$4–6)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride (city)¥200–¥300 (≈ US$2–3) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketPrison Museum entry¥1,050 (≈ US$8)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedRyūhō-no-Oka YH private room, a night, per room¥9,000 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedRyūhō-no-Oka YH private room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · High ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MMB Memanbetsu Airport (16 km (9.9 mi) south, bus ¥880, 25 min)MMB Memanbetsu Airport (9.9 mi (16 km) south, bus ¥880, 25 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Abashiri: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
5 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
5 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses radiate from JR Abashiri Station; most sights are a short bus ride away. Walkable town centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shiretoko National Park
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h
JR Senmo line to Shari (≈2 h), then bus
Long travel; consider overnight stay.
Akan National Park (Teshikaga)
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h 30 min
JR Senmo line to Kushiro (≈1 h 30 min), then bus
Day trip possible in summer.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Abashiri Ryūhō-no-Oka YH
Views of Okhotsk Sea, ¥3,250 for members
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–7,000 (≈ US$35–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥7,000–10,000 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed
- High
- ¥10,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed1 × 1 night × ¥4,000 | ¥4,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥8,000 | ¥8,000 |
| JR Sekihoku line ticket (round‑trip Sapporo‑Abashiri)1 × ¥10,870 · 2025 price, check 2026 | ¥10,870 |
| Icebreaker Aurora tour1 × ¥3,300 · Jan‑Apr season | ¥3,300 |
| Bus pass (city + regional)1 × ¥1,500 · check | ¥1,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥2,770 |
| Trip total≈ ¥30,440 per person per day, bed included | ¥30,440≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Seafood bowl | ¥800–¥1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Abashiri Beer | ¥500–¥800 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Bus ride (city) | ¥200–¥300 (≈ US$2–3) (check) |
| Prison Museum entry | ¥1,050 (≈ US$8) |
| Museum of Northern Peoples entry | ¥450 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter icebreaker tours run Jan‑Apr only; check dates.
- Some museums close early in winter; verify opening hours.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Abashiri網走
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Sapporo (check address); other embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Memanbetsu Airport → Abashiri (bus): ¥880 (≈ US$6), 25 min
- JR Sapporo → Abashiri (Okhotsk): ¥10,870 (≈ US$75), 5 h 25 min (2025 price, check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Abashiri. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (very cold, limited tours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- JR Hokkaido Sekihoku line tickets (check schedules).
- Bus passes for local routes.
Sources
- officialAbashiri city official site
- officialVisit Abashiri (Japanese)
- officialJR Hokkaido
- secondaryWikivoyage: Abashiri, revision 5332960 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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