A former Japanese solitary confinement prison that once housed more
than 900 prisoners will open as a 46-bed hotel under the Hoshinoya
label.
The former Nara Prison - the first hotel in Japan to be converted
from a former 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.
Prison cells will be renovated and enlarged while guard quarters will
transform into shared spaces The property will also include a
restaurant, lounge and museum.
Hoshino Resorts operates multiple brands, including the hot spring ryokan KAI and city tourism hotel OMO.
Converting prisons into hotels isn’t new. Among those that have been
converted are Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki, which once housed two former
prime ministers; The Liberty, Boston; Het Arresthuis in the Netherlands
and the Malmaison Oxford, England.