Abashiri Prison

This is Japan's most northern prison, operating as an agriculture prison, involved in cultivating crops, livestock and forestry. The correctional facility is used as short-term detention of serious offenders, such as repeat offenders, members of organized crime syndicates, and those convicted with prison sentences of up to ten years. Items produced by the inmates and sold in the shop such as tableware and vases of Sancho pottery, wooden folk crafts and Abashiri Prison brand Japanese Beef are popular with tourists. About 4,000 Nipopo dolls are produced each year, and these in particular have become a souvenir representative of Abashiri.