Japan’s former Nara Prison, built in 1908 and declared a cultural property in 2017, reopened in June 2026 as the Hoshinoya Nara Prison Hotel operated by Hoshino Resorts.
Historic Architecture Preserved in Hotel Conversion
The prison’s star-shaped layout consists of five detention wings radiating from a central command post. Covering 25 acres, the complex includes the Nara Prison Museum. Original features such as hand-laid brick walls, ceiling moldings, green wooden cell doors with inspection slots, ventilation hatches, room numbers, original skylights, and steel reinforcement beams remain intact in hallways and rooms. The prison’s Romanesque-style main gate guards a two-story administrative building with an attached central watch
house overseeing all five wards.
Guest Rooms and Hotel Management
Guest accommodations are created by combining former prison cells into three room types, including the largest, the “11-Cell Deluxe,” which features a living area and dressing lounge. Single-occupancy cells originally contained a toilet, sink, window, and heavy wooden door that could not be opened from inside even if unlocked. Masaya Kakegawa serves as the hotel’s general manager. Nightly rates start at $245, with seasonal variations.
Historical Background of Nara Prison
Nara Prison was among the first five Western-style detention facilities built by Japan’s Meiji government, completed in 1908. In 1946, it became the Nara Juvenile Prison, housing inmates aged 16
to 26 and providing vocational workshops for skills such as haircutting and license plate making. The facility historically housed approximately 635 inmates.
Cultural Impact and Tourist Appeal
The former prison served as a filming location for two episodes of Netflix’s Japanese series “Alice in Borderland,” season 2. The hotel has attracted international visitors interested in architecture, history, and culture, promoting overnight stays in Nara, which was traditionally viewed as a day-trip destination.
Hotel’s Role in Promoting Stay-Based Tourism
Masaya Kakegawa said, “Rather than hiding its past, we wanted guests to physically feel that history as they move through the space.” He added, “We hope this facility serves as a catalyst for
shifting towards stay-based tourism, helping to showcase Nara’s full charm to the world.”
