Hoshino Resorts to transform former Japanese prison into luxury hotel

Japanese hotel group Hoshino Resorts is set to open a luxury hotel inside a former prison in Nara City on June 25.

Hoshinoya Nara Prison will occupy the landmark building to become Hoshinoya’s ninth hotel worldwide.

The property, which operated as a prison until 2017, will house 48 suites across nine to 11 former cells, showcasing a blend of original red brickwork and modern features.

The suites are designed to contain “distinct areas”, with each former cell designated as a zone for sleeping, relaxing and dining.

Hoshinoya Nara Prison will also feature a restaurant serving Japanese-French cuisine in the former detention wing.

The site is also home to the Nara Prison Museum, where guests and members of the public can learn more about the property’s history.

The prison building was first commissioned in 1908 and was designed by Japanese architect Keijiro Yamashita. 

After ceasing operations, the building was designated a National Important Cultural Property due to its architectural significance.

Chanel Cai, PR manager at Hoshino Resorts, said: "It was the Ministry of Justice that initially approached Hoshino Resorts. They recognised our track record of collaborating with local governments to create impact beyond our hotel walls, and based on this confidence in our planning and operational expertise, they brought us on board. 

"This site is far more than just a former prison; the architecture itself is a testament to the grandeur of the Meiji Era and represents Japan’s first leap into modernised prison design.

"We are thrilled to take on the challenge of establishing the effective management and revenue strategies necessary for the sustainable preservation of this National Important Cultural Property."

Following the launch of Hoshinoya Nara Prison, Hoshino Resorts will open Hoshinoya Asuka, its second property in the Nara prefecture, in 2027. 

The group is also set to debut its first new-build property outside Asia with a hotel in the US village of Sharon Springs scheduled for completion in 2028.