A Prison Farm of the Meiji Era
The Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) (旧網走刑務所二見ヶ岡刑務支所（二見ヶ岡農場）) is the buildings of a prison farm of 1896 to 1930 in Yobito, Abashiri City, Hokkaido, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on February 9, 2016 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records five buildings, the administration building, cell block and kitchen of 1896, the chapel and dining hall of 1926 and the shackling house of 1930; designation number 02635.
A Farm for Self-Sufficiency
The Futamigaoka branch was opened in 1896 as the Kussharo outpost of the Abashiri branch of the Hokkaido penitentiary, to farm a vast tract of land and make the prison self-sufficient (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It became the Futamigaoka branch of Abashiri Prison in 1929 and was moved to the museum in 1999.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency values the cell block in particular as prison architecture going back to the mid-Meiji period, and the whole group for showing how prison farms outside the walls developed, of high value in penal history.
The Five Buildings
It consists of the administration building, cell block and kitchen of 1896, the chapel and dining hall added in 1926 and the shackling house of 1930 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a rare group of prison buildings with a farm, keeping its main original buildings well.
What to Look For
Look for the mid-Meiji cell block and the kitchen, dining hall and shackling house that tell of life on the prison farm (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by the Abashiri Prison Preservation Foundation and open as the Abashiri Prison Museum (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the museum website, it is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:00); admission is 1,500 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for high-school students and 750 yen for primary and junior high school pupils. Each building is introduced together on the Abashiri Prison Museum page.
Q&A
- When was it opened?
- In 1896, as the Kussharo outpost.
- What was it for?
- Farming to make the prison self-sufficient.
- When was it moved?
- To the museum in 1999.
- How many buildings are there?
- Five (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On February 9, 2016 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) (旧網走刑務所二見ヶ岡刑務支所（二見ヶ岡農場）) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3 Yobito, Abashiri City, Hokkaido |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2016/02/09 (Heisei 28) |
| Quantity | 5 buildings |
| Dimensions | Cell block: timber, 663.39 m², iron sheet |
| Owner | Abashiri Prison Preservation Foundation |
| Public Access | Open as the Abashiri Prison Museum (Abashiri Prison Museum) |
References
- Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/00004833
- Abashiri Prison Museum (official website, in Japanese)
- https://www.kangoku.jp/
Last verified: 2026.10.26
Cultural Treasures in the Same Area
All are within walking distance in the same area, so we recommend visiting them together.
- Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) government building 0.00 km
- Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) Chapel and dining hall 0.02 km
- Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) kitchen 0.03 km
- Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) cellar 0.04 km
- Former Abashiri Prison Futamigaoka Branch (Futamigaoka Farm) key chain attachment 0.05 km
