HOSHINOYA NARA PRISON SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN SPRING 2026 (Japan)
Scheduled to open in spring 2026, The Former Nara Prison, one of Japan's Important Cultural Properties, will be renovated to become HOSHINOYA Nara Prison. |
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HOSHINOYA NARA PRISON SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN SPRING 2026 (Japan)
Scheduled to open in spring 2026, The Former Nara Prison, one of Japan's Important Cultural Properties, will be renovated to become HOSHINOYA Nara Prison. |
Category: Asia Pacific - Japan - Industry economy
- Hotel projects
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2023-09-15
Based on an agreement between Hoshino Resorts and The Former Nara Prison Preservation and Utilization Co., Ltd., the former prison will be reborn as a luxury hotel where guests can enjoy an extraordinary stay in its iconic red brick building with refurbished interiors.
About The Former Nara Prison
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.
A prestige project for the government, its elegant red brick structure embodies the Meiji era's ambition and craftsmanship as Japan opened its doors to the world. The former detention center features the Haviland System, where a central guard tower oversees multiple radial wings of cells. It is a quintessential model of Japan's "modern prison" to this day.
Overview
Property name: 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
Agreement between Hoshino Resorts and The Former Nara Prison Preservation and Utilization Co., Ltd.
The Former Nara Prison Preservation and Utilization Co., Ltd. signed a Public Facility Operation Project Implementation Agreement with the government (Ministry of Justice) in December 2017. Since then, the company has been carrying out seismic retrofitting of the former prison’s red brick buildings, as well as setting up a historical archive and other facilities. In addition to running HOSHINOYA Nara Prison as a hotel, a plan to operate a museum (available also to day visitors) where people can learn about the history and facilities of the former prison is also under consideration.
About HOSHINOYA Brand
Luxury hotel embodying the true characteristics of land, history, and culture
HOSHINOYA is an accommodation with distinct themes, conceptualized from each location's land, history, and culture. Woven into these distinct themes is our attention to detail in every aspect from the design to hospitality; contributing to the creation of a one-of-a-kind world of HOSHINOYA. Enrich the heart with the epiphanies of travel through a unique stay experience.
About Hoshino Resorts
Hoshino Resorts was first established as a Japanese inn/ryokan in 1914 in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture before it began the operation of other resorts in Japan. Today, it has evolved into a highly influential hotel management company and is run by 4th-generation family member Yoshiharu Hoshino. Providing a unique experience focused on the local charms of each destination and a high level of omotenashi, Japanese-style hospitality, the company has expanded rapidly out of Karuizawa since 2001 and now operates more than 60 accommodations both in and outside Japan with one of the following categories: luxury hotel brand “HOSHINOYA,” hot spring ryokan brand “KAI,” countryside resort hotel brand “RISONARE,” city tourism hotel brand “OMO,” free-spirited hotel brand “BEB,” or other unique lodgings.
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