This outdoor museum of history has buildings that were originally constructed and used by inmates in the Meiji era (1868–1912) and were later relocated to the current location for reconstruction. The buildings have been preserved and made open to the public. In 2016, eight of the buildings were designated as Important Cultural Properties and another seven as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. Through these buildings and other penological materials, the museum conveys the prion’s historical role in the development of Hokkaido and its relations with the community, while working to raise public understanding of the significance and aspects of the prison and prison life.