 Abashiri Station is unusual in having the station name sign at the entrance to the building written vertically instead of horizontally.This was intended to ensure that prisoners released from nearby Abashiri Prison and returning to their hometowns from the station would not "revert sideways" (横道にそれない) to a life of crime.Abashiri Bus, Abashiri Kōtsū Bus, Akan Bus, Shari Bus and joint operating companies all operate to/from the station.