Former Japanese Prison Transformed into Luxury Hotel
A historic Japanese correctional facility, originally constructed over a century ago, has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, reopening its doors as an opulent hotel. This transformation allows guests to experience a unique blend of heritage and comfort within the walls of a former detention center, where old prison cells have been reimagined into elegant accommodations.
The Nara Prison, a structure dating back to 1908, holds significant cultural importance in Japan, having been officially recognized as a cultural property in 2017. Following extensive renovations, the site was unveiled in June as the Hoshinoya Nara Prison Hotel, managed by the renowned Hoshino Resorts. The complex is distinguished by its distinctive star-shaped layout, with five wings radiating from a central control hub, all situated within a sprawling 25-acre estate that also encompasses the Nara Prison Museum.
According to Masaya Kakegawa, the hotel's general manager, the establishment has swiftly gained popularity, particularly among international visitors and those with a keen interest in architectural marvels, historical narratives, and cultural experiences. The erstwhile prison cells have been ingeniously combined and converted into guest rooms, offering three distinct types of accommodation. Among these, the "11-Cell Deluxe" stands out, featuring an expansive living area and a dedicated dressing lounge.
Stays at this extraordinary hotel begin at approximately $245 per night, with prices varying based on the season. A key aspect of the renovation project was the meticulous preservation of the prison's original architectural elements. Guests can observe the hand-laid brickwork and the intricate ceiling moldings that date back to the building's inception, immersing themselves in the rich history of the location.
Kakegawa emphasized the intent behind the design: "Rather than concealing its past, we aimed for guests to intimately connect with that history as they navigate through the premises." The corridors, too, largely maintain their original character, complete with green wooden cell doors, inspection slots, ventilation hatches, and authentic room numbers, all contributing to the hotel's unique ambiance.
Above the passageways, the original skylights and robust steel reinforcement beams remain visible, serving as a testament to the structure's enduring legacy. The renovation, a formidable undertaking spanning nearly seven years, presented a significant challenge: balancing the preservation of the prison's historical integrity with the imperative of furnishing the comforts expected of a luxury hotel. This intricate process ensured that the former detention facility could seamlessly transition into a high-end hospitality destination while honoring its past.
The former prison also gained cinematic recognition, serving as a backdrop for the second season of Netflix's Japanese thriller, "Alice in Borderland." This series, set in an alternate reality, features Tokyo residents embroiled in deadly survival games to return to their world. Two episodes from the "Jack of Hearts" storyline were filmed within the Nara prison, depicting the character Chishiya's struggle to escape the penitentiary.
Nara Prison was one of the inaugural Western-style correctional institutions commissioned by the Japanese government during the Meiji era, which concluded in 1912. The city of Nara itself is situated to the east of Osaka. In 1946, the facility was re-designated as the Nara Juvenile Prison, housing inmates aged between 16 and 26. During their incarceration, these individuals were trained in vocational skills such as hairdressing and license plate manufacturing in the prison's workshops.
Predominantly constructed by prison laborers, the complex boasts a Romanesque-style main gate that dramatically rises above its surrounding walls, guarding the entrance to a two-story administrative building. Connected to this administrative structure is a central watch house, strategically designed to allow guards to survey all five prison wards simultaneously. Grilles integrated into the second-floor levels facilitated the observation of cells on both floors from a single vantage point.
In its operational days, the single-occupancy cells were equipped with a toilet, sink, window, and a robust wooden door devoid of internal knobs, rendering it impossible to open from within, even if unlocked. At its peak capacity, the entire complex could accommodate approximately 635 inmates. The initial announcement regarding the prison's conversion into a hotel was made in 2017, coinciding with its closure and designation as a cultural heritage site.
Kakegawa expressed his aspiration that the hotel will act as a catalyst for transforming Nara into an overnight tourist destination, rather than merely a day-trip stop. He articulated his hope that this establishment would serve to attract longer stays, thereby allowing visitors to fully appreciate and discover Nara's multifaceted appeal to a global audience.