Locked into luxury: Former Japanese Prison to become luxury hotel

©Former Nara Prison

One of Japan’s most valued historical properties from the Meiji era, the Former Nara Prison, is under going extensive renovations to become HOSHINOYA Nara Prison, a luxury hotel where guests can enjoy a unique and extraordinary stay in its iconic red brick building built over a century ago.

Scheduled to open in the spring of 2026, the hotel will mark the tenth location under the HOSHINOYA brand by Hoshino Resorts, one of Japan’s most influential hospitality groups.

Upon completion, HOSHINOYA Nara Prison will hold the title of the first hotel in Japan to be converted from a former prison, adding to Nara’s list of attractions and enhancing its local economy.

Renowned for its free-roaming deer and three World Heritage sites, Nara is an ancient city in south-central Honshu. It features temples and artwork dating to the 8th century, when it was Japan's capital.

Hoshino Resorts operates multiple brands, including the hot spring ryokan “KAI” and city tourism hotel “OMO”.With eight facilities operating in locations including Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa, Taiwan and soon to be Niseko, HOSHINOYA is a luxury accommodation with distinct themes conceptualised from each location's land, history, and culture.

The Former Nara Prison was one of five major prisons that were designed by the Meiji government to meet international standards. It was completed in 1908 and designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in February 2017 for its historical significance and architectural excellence.

Its elegant red brick structure embodies the Meiji era's ambition and craftsmanship as Japan opened its doors to the world. The former detention centre features the Haviland System, where a central guard tower oversees multiple radial wings of cells, a quintessential model of Japan's "modern prison" to this day.

Multiple solitary confinement cells will be renovated and combined to form 48 spacious guest rooms while guard quarters will transform into shared spaces. With a floor area of more than 10,000 square meters, HOSHINOYA Nara Prison will also include a restaurant, lounge and museum telling the history of the former prison which will open to both hotel guests and day visitors.

HOSHINOYA Nara Prison

Address:18 Hannyaji-cho, Nara, Japan
Building area: HOSHINOYA Nara Prison: 6,226㎡/ Museum (tentative name): 1,762㎡
Floor area: HOSHINOYA Nara Prison: 10,343㎡/ Museum (tentative name): 2,168㎡
Site area:100,478.80㎡(including the adjoining museum)
Number of rooms:48
Adjoining facilities: Restaurant, lounge, museum (the museum is also open to day visitors)
Hotel design: Azuma Architect & Associates
Landscape design: Studio on Site
Scheduled opening date: Spring 2026