If you are like me and many tourists, your first impression of Abashiri will be the Abashiri Train Station. It was showing heavily when I arrived. Abashiri town runs a tourist information center in the station and works hard to put an attractive face to the city for its many tourists. You can get maps and information on the Abashiri Bus (800 yen for a one-day pass), the Aurora Ice Cruises, the many Abashiri museums and other sites, and the restaurants and 30 lodgings in Abashiri. They will even help you make reservations if you come without a place to stay. They offer a small pamphlet with a listing of the hotels and their prices – you can find this guide on the Abashiri forum site. Visited 2/20/2018

A helpful lady was at the tiny tourist information centre when I arrived at the station. Though she had limited English, she offered good suggestions. For instance, she directed me to a wonderful supermarket and a nice cafe near the supermarket which I spent a lot of time in.