3-Day Abashiri Summer Itinerary by a Local

Planning a summer trip to Eastern Hokkaido and not sure where to start, especially if you’re not driving? I’ve got you covered.

Hi, I’m Yuuka! I grew up in Eastern Hokkaido and have helped hundreds of travelers plan their trips to this rural region.

And when someone asks me where to go without a car, Abashiri is always one of my top picks. It’s one of the few places in Eastern Hokkaido that’s easy to explore with public transportation.

In this 3-day Abshiri summer itinerary, I’ll guide you through a route you can follow with or without a rental car. You’ll cover local museums, scenic nature spots, and a relaxing hot spring—a perfect mix of cultural experiences and outdoor adventures.

Let’s dive in and get you ready for your summer trip to Abashiri!

Day 1: Getting to Abashiri

Arriving at Memanbetsu Airport

The nearest airport to Abashiri is Memanbetsu Airport. It has connections from New Chitose Airport, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.

If you’re driving: It’s a 30-minute drive from the airport to central Abashiri.

If you’re using public transportation: Head to the information counter at the airport and buy the Abashiri Free Pass. It gives you unlimited rides on local buses for 2 days (2,000 JPY) or 3 days (3,000 JPY).

The bus to Abashiri city center takes about 40 minutes and departs after each flight, so you won’t need to stress about schedules!

Where to stay in Abashiri: Hokuten no Oka

Hokuten no Oka Tsuruga Resort is my personal favorite hotel in the area. I like the wooden cozy interior that feels like a peaceful hideaway.

Their buffet meals use fresh local ingredients with a light French twist. The open-air onsen is refreshing, but what I love most is the stone sauna, where you lie on heated rocks to sweat and reset. It’s my go-to spot to detox and slow down.

To get there by bus, get off at Yobito Eki Mae (about 20 minutes from the airport). If you’re carrying luggage, I recommend asking the hotel in advance for a pickup.

Day 2: Exploring Abashiri

Now that you’ve settled in, it’s time to explore! With your Abashiri Free Pass, you can visit some of the area’s best attractions without a car.

My top picks for a summer visit are: the Abashiri Prison Museum to learn about a unique history, the Drift Ice Museum for a fun look at winter nature even in summer, and Hana Tento flower park for colorful blooms.

You can reach all of these spots using the special Kanko Shisetsu Meguri Line (観光施設めぐり線) sightseeing bus (the official schedule here).

Abashiri Prison Museum

Abashiri Prison Museum is an open-air museum that preserves real prison buildings used from the 1890s to the 1980s. It offers a rare look into how prisoners lived, and how they helped build roads across Hokkaido during the Meiji era.

To be honest, I was traumatized by this museum when I visited as a small kid, because everything was so real! I’m still scared to visit there even today…

It’s a fascinating place to learn about a lesser-known side of Hokkaido’s history. You can also try a prison meal at the old canteen (don’t worry, it tastes better than it sounds!).

Information

• Open hours: 9 am – 5 pm
• Admission: 1,500 JPY
• By bus: 10 min by the Kanko Shisetsu Meguri Line (sightseeing bus) from JR Abashiri Station
• By car: 7 min from Abashiri city center, parking free
• Official website

Drift Ice Museum

Even in summer, you can experience a bit of Hokkaido’s icy winter at the Drift Ice Museum!

This small but modern museum is all about drift ice, the natural sea ice that floats to the coast of Eastern Hokkaido from Siberia every winter. You’ll learn about this rare phenomenon and the interesting marine creatures that live in the icy waters.

My favorite part? It’s a special -15°C room where you can actually touch real drift ice. It’s freezing, but fun!

There’s also a rooftop observatory with panoramic views of the city, lakes, and sea. Also check out the on-site café and souvenir shop on the way out.

Information

• Open hours: 8.30 am – 6 pm
• Admission: 900 JPY
• By bus: The next stop from Abashiri Prison Museum (5 min)
• By car: 10 min from Abashiri city center, parking free
• Official website

Flower Park: Hana Tento

At the final stop on the sightseeing bus route, you’ll find a hill covered in flowers, Hana Tento. In winter, this hill is a ski slope, but from July to October, it transforms into a vibrant flower park with tens of thousands of colorful blooms.

What makes this place special is the story behind it. The flower fields were started in 2002 by local volunteers who wanted to bring life to the unused hill during summer. Since then, the park has been cared for by the community—local schools, businesses, and residents all pitch in to keep it blooming.

Walk to the top for a peaceful view of Lake Abashiri and the surrounding countryside. It’s a simple, feel-good spot that’s perfect for a slow summer afternoon.

This is one of my favorite lesser-known flower parks without tourist crowds.

Information

• Best time to visit: August and September
• Admission free
• By bus: Final stop on the “Kanko Shisetsu Meguri Line” bus (20 min from Abashiri Station)
• By car: 10 min from Abashiri city center

Day 3: Easy Nature Excursions from Abashiri

Before heading back to your next destination, why not take a little trip beyond the city? There are two easy nature spots you can visit in just a few hours—Koshimizu Nature Reserve and Lake Notoro.

Both are accessible with or without a car, and each offers a totally different experience depending on the season. Which one would you go for?

Option 1: Koshimizu Nature Reserve

If you’re looking for a quiet escape into nature, Koshimizu Nature Reserve is a great spot. This 8 km-long stretch of coastal land sits between Lake Tofutsu and the Sea of Okhotsk, and is home to over 200 species of wildflowers, birds, and small animals.

In June and July, the area is full of blooming flowers in every color. You can rent a bicycle at the nearby information center to explore the reserve at your own pace.

They also sell light snacks and souvenirs. Don’t leave without trying the fresh strawberry juice!

Information

• Open for 24 hours
• Admission free
• Best time to visit: June and July
• By bus: Take the Koshimizu Line bus and get off at Gensei Kaen (35 min from Abashiri Station)
• By car: 20 min from Abashiri

Option 2: Red GLasswort in Lake Notoro (Mid-August to late September)

If you’re visiting in late summer or early autumn, this is a must visit. From mid-August to late September at Lake Notoro, the lakeside transforms into a sea of deep red thanks to glasswort, a salt-tolerant plant that thrives here.

This is Japan’s largest glasswort colony, and there are wooden walkways built across the marsh so you can take your time and enjoy the view.

Information

• Best time to visit: Mid-August to late September
• Open for 24 hours
• Admission free
• By bus: Take the Tokoro Saromakosakaeura Line bus and get off at Sangoso Iriguchi (20 min from Abashiri Station)
• By car: 20 min from Abashiri

Your next steps

I hope this 3-day Abashiri summer itinerary inspired your trip planning!

Where to go next after Abashiri? My top pick would be Shiretoko, where you’ll discover untouched wild nature. Or if you want to visit a small cozy onsen town, Akan is my favorite one.

If you have more days to spend, make a tour around Eastern Hokkaido in 5 days or all Hokkaido in 7 days, or slowly in 2 weeks!

Happy trip planning!