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Japanese Prison to Re-Open as Luxury Hotel

If you don't dig the restaurants, maybe you'll like the bars

By Rain Noe - November 5, 2025

in Architecture

A common refrain is that these days people spend money on experiences. Well, for those craving the experience of being locked up in a Meiji-era prison, Japanese hotel chain Hoshinoya has a treat for you.

"The Hoshinoya Nara Prison will be the first luxury hotel in Japan to utilize a former prison, an Important Cultural Property."

"The former Nara Prison was one of the five major prisons completed in 1908, planned by the Meiji government with the aim of internationally standardizing prisons."

"The iconic red brick building is a modern building with high historical value and excellent design. We offer a luxurious stay in this famous Meiji-era building with a world-renowned historical and cultural background."

If you're wondering what's up with the bars on the floors, this allowed guards to monitor both the level they were on and the level below.

I assume the rooms will be getting a facelift.

The joint is scheduled to open next year, and rooms will start at ¥17,820 (USD $116) per night.

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Michael Davies

5 months ago

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There is a precedent for this, the excellent Liberty Hotel in Boston https://libertyhotel.com/, the erstwhile Charles St Jail, built 50 years earlier

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valentin bouleau

5 months ago

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That prison is actually seen in Netflix's show Alice In Borderland season 2. Very cinematic place !

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Roger ak

5 months ago

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Not much of a view from these rooms but i don't imagine that would be the point.
For a structure more then a century old and having seen hard use, it looks fantastic.

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