Abashiri

Abashiri (網走市 Abashiri-shi) is a city located in Abashiri subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

Abashiri is best known as the site of the Abashiri Prison, a Meiji-era facility used for the incarceration of political prisoners. The old prison has been turned into a museum, but the city's new maximum security prison is still in use.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 42,548 and the density of 90.36 persons per km². The total area is 470.88 km².

Abashiri is located in the eastern part of Abashiri, about 50 kilometers east of Kitami. There are no tall mountains, but there are many hills.

March, 1872 Abashiri Village (ア�シリ�) founded, being given the name of Abashiri District in Kitami Province
1875 The kanji 網走� given to Abashiri Village.
1902 Abashiri Village, Kitami Town, Isani Village, and Nikuribake Village, all in Abashiri District, merge to form Abashiri Town
1915 Notoro Village, Mokoto Village merged
1921 Memanbetsu Village (now Memanbetsu Town) split off
1931 Boundary with Memanbetsu Town modified
February 11, 1947 Higashimokoto Village split off. Abashiri Town becomes Abashiri City