Hoshino Resorts Opens Japan’s First Luxury Hotel in Former Nara Prison

Japanese hospitality operator Hoshino Resorts has converted the historic Nara Prison, a 1908 Meiji‑era correctional facility, into a 48‑room luxury hotel called HOSHINOYA Nara Prison. The hotel opened on 25 June 2026 and retains many original features such as red‑brick walls, arched ceilings, cell doors and the radial layout designed by architect Keijiro Yamashita. Architect Rie Azuma oversaw the restoration, preserving the building’s heritage while adding modern suites, a museum on the grounds, and a restaurant serving seasonal kaiseki. Nightly rates start at ¥147,000 (about US$900) before meals, positioning the property in Japan’s high‑end hospitality market. Hoshino Resorts frames the project as a test case for repurposing historic civic buildings, hoping it will serve as a model for future preservation‑focused developments across the country.