Constructed in 1908 east of Osaka, the former Nara Prison was designated a cultural property by Japan in 2017 before closing. The complex covers 25 acres and features a star-shaped layout with five detention wings radiating from a central watch house. Architectural elements such as hand-laid brick walls, original ceiling moldings, green wooden cell doors with inspection slots, ventilation hatches, and room numbers remain intact. The Romanesque-style main gate and a two-story administrative building with a central watch tower overseeing all five wards are preserved. Originally, the prison housed approximately 635 inmates and was renamed Nara Juvenile Prison in 1946,
serving inmates aged 16 to 26 who trained in vocational skills like haircutting and license plate making.
Conversion into a Luxury Hotel Completed After Nearly Seven Years
After the prison’s closure and cultural property designation in 2017, a nearly seven-year renovation aimed to preserve historic details while converting the facility into a luxury hotel. The Hoshinoya Nara Prison Hotel opened in June 2026 with guest rooms formed by combining former prison cells. Original skylights and steel reinforcement beams remain visible above hallways. The hotel offers three room types, including the largest called the ’11-Cell Deluxe’ suite, which boasts a living area and dressing lounge.
Hoshino Resorts Operates Nara Prison Hotel with Rates Starting at $245
Operated by Hoshino Resorts and managed
by Masaya Kakegawa, the hotel targets international guests drawn to architecture, history, and culture. Kakegawa stated, “Rather than hiding its past, we wanted guests to physically feel that history as they move through the space.” Nightly rates start at $245. The hotel offers a unique lodging experience by blending the prison’s preserved historic architecture with modern comfort.
Cultural Significance and Tourism Strategy in Nara
The hotel complex includes the Nara Prison Museum and forms part of efforts to shift Nara’s image from a day-trip destination to a stay-based tourism spot. Kakegawa expressed hope that the facility “serves as a catalyst for shifting towards stay-based tourism, helping to
showcase Nara’s full charm to the world.” Additionally, two episodes of Netflix’s Japanese series “Alice in Borderland” season two were filmed at the former prison, raising its international profile.
