- Hoshinoya Nara Prison is the first luxury hotel in Japan to be created inside a former prison.
- The building was used as a juvenile prison until 2017.
- Around 500 cells have been turned into just 48 guest s
Japan has turned a former prison into a luxury hotel. The old Nara Prison, a Meiji-era building dating back to 1908, has been carefully restored and transformed into Hoshinoya Nara Prison by Hoshino Resorts.
The property is the first luxury hotel in Japan to be created inside a former prison. The building was used as a juvenile prison until 2017, before its new life began.
Luxury travel creator Elona Karafin has shared glimpses from inside the unusual property. Around 500 cells have been turned into just 48 guest suites, along with hotel facilities and a restaurant.
The rooms are narrow because of the building's original design and some are even made by joining almost 11 cells together.
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On Instagram, Karafin described the hotel room as one of the most unusual stays she has ever shown. Her suite was created by joining between 9 and 11 old prison cells.
Elona Karafin explained that the suite still keeps several parts of the old prison's original design. The first section has a lounge area with exposed red brick walls that were part of the prison when it was operating.
There is also a small coffee area and a mini bar for guests. The suite has a walk in closet and a bathroom with a separate bathtub, shower and toilet.
The room is long and narrow, which she compared with a train carriage. At the end of the suite is the bedroom, which has a simple design with a bed and small glass windows.
Hoshinoya Nara Prison took seven years to restore and turn into a luxury hotel. The old prison had many limitations because of its historic structure, so the renovation was carefully done.
Architect Hiroki Hasegawa worked on the design with the aim of creating a place that feels completely different from a prison. One of the main courtyards has also been given a new purpose.
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It used to be a closed space. Today, the same area has been turned into a peaceful place for hotel guests. A stay at Hoshinoya Nara Prison costs around $316 to $514 per night, depending on the room and booking details.
