# Hoshinoya Nara Kangoku hotel recognition

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hoshinoya-nara-kangoku-hotel-recognition
> Updated: 2026-10-19T01:03:37.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Hoshinoya Nara Kangoku, a luxury hotel created by repurposing the former Old Nara Prison, has received significant international recognition for its preservation of Meiji-era architecture.

The project, which involved converting an Important Cultural Property into a heritage destination, was awarded the ‘Japanese Social Design Project’ at the ELLE DECO International Design Awards (EDIDA) 2027. The award highlighted the hotel’s integration of historical preservation with luxury hospitality.

Following this, Hoshino Resorts announced that the property was the only Japanese hotel selected for National Geographic’s ‘Best of the World 2026: 20 Best New Hotels’ list. National Geographic noted the hotel’s ability to allow guests to immerse themselves in Japanese history by transforming the historic site into a living experience.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Hoshinoya Nara Kangoku selected as National Geographic Best New Hotel

Hoshinoya Nara Kangoku, a luxury hotel repurposed from a Meiji-era prison, is the only Japanese entry in National Geographic’s ‘20 Best New Hotels’ list for 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hoshinoya-nara-kangoku-selected-as-national-geographic-best-new-hotel

### 2026-10-14: Hoshinoya Nara Kangoku wins EDIDA Japanese Social Design Project award

Hoshinoya Nara Kangoku has won the ‘Japanese Social Design Project’ award at the EDIDA 2027 for its innovative repurposing of the historic Old Nara Prison into a luxury heritage hotel.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hoshinoya-nara-kangoku-wins-edida-japanese-social-design-project-award

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Cite as: Hoshinoya Nara Kangoku hotel recognition. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hoshinoya-nara-kangoku-hotel-recognition