20 Luxury Jails You Can Actually Book
HOSHINOYA Nara Prison opened in June, converting the last of Japan’s Meiji-era “Five Great Prisons” into a luxury hotel. The Former Nara Prison in Nara City holds status as an Important Cultural Property. Hoshino Resorts chose to restore rather than demolish the site, preserving its high redbrick walls while redesigning the interior for modern guests.
The hotel’s 48 suites occupy former cellblocks, created by combining groups of 9, 10, or 11 cells. The largest suite spans 11 cells and includes a dressing lounge and living area. Original brickwork, laid by the prison’s first inmates, remains visible beneath century-old plaster. Ceiling mouldings from the period have also been kept intact throughout the property.
Guests check in at the former intake desk, walking through gates that once marked the start of a sentence for new inmates. The central lounge sits in the old assembly room, an atrium with views down the five cellblock wings that radiate from it. A separate building, previously used for solitary confinement, now serves as the dining space.
This approach to repurposing prison architecture stands out. Most former prisons are either hidden or torn down to avoid associations with punishment. By treating the structure as a cultural landmark, the developers turned confinement into an experience of historical immersion. The pricing reflects this novelty, with rates starting at ¥147,000 per night—about $AU1,300 depending on exchange rates.
Dining at the hotel follows a historical theme. The “Gastronomy Chronicle” tasting menu traces Japan’s Meiji Restoration through four courses: Early Development, Maturity, Modern Day, and Future. Breakfast offers a Civilisational Modernisation option for ¥6,380, or roughly $AU56, featuring Western dishes introduced to Japan during the era alongside traditional and continental choices.
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Additional programming includes the Akane Tea Salon, an adults-only Gramophone Soiree, and an Evening Fragrance Blending workshop for $AU105. A Meiji-inspired morning fitness session uses dumbbells carved from local Yoshino cedar.
The Nara Prison Museum opened in April within three sections of the former prison. One cellblock wing remains untouched to show original conditions. Another exhibit covers five principles of Meiji-era rehabilitation: discipline, meals, hygiene, labour, and freedom. The former infirmary displays artwork by former inmates on themes of crime, punishment, and time. Entry costs ¥3,500, or $AU30, and is free for hotel guests.
The experience differs sharply from typical luxury stays. Instead of standard amenities, the focus lies on history and architectural preservation. Rooms include curated books, relaxation-focused music, and custom fragrances, along with a selection of local sake and wine.
This transformation offers a unique way to engage with the past. For those interested in similar blends of history and modern comfort, the Manaslu Circuit Trek also provides an immersive journey through preserved settings.
