(Paid link)At HOSHINOYA Nara Prison, Meiji-era cells become your room for the night. Japanese black tea is served in the former auditorium, and aperitifs in the former warehouse. After dinner, you return to your own suite, with its original brick walls and high windows.
Completed in 1908, the former Nara Prison is a red-brick complex whose cell blocks radiate from a central guard station. It was designated an Important Cultural Property in 2017, and after conservation and renovation, it opened on June 25, 2026, as a 48-suite hotel.
Suites Created from Former Cells
Each suite combines nine to eleven former cells into loosely divided bedroom, dining and living spaces. Arched windows remain high in the walls, near the ceiling. The red-brick walls, revealed beneath the white plaster, are paired with steel reinforcements and wood finishes.
(Paid link)The 10-Cell joins ten former single cells into a 60 m² suite. In every suite of this type, the vaulted ceiling forms a series of arches about 3.5 m high. In the afternoon you can read beneath the arches, and at night sleep in the king-size bed.
The 11-Cell Deluxe, the largest of the three types at 70 m², has a dressing lounge for getting ready before dinner. Back from the meal, you can change into the loungewear provided and settle in. You might stay up a little late, a drink beside you, reading or listening to music.
For two people who would each like their own bed, The 9-Cell is a 50–57 m² suite with a Hollywood twin arrangement: two single beds side by side.
(Paid link)Tea and a Book Beneath the Beams of the Former Auditorium
The main lounge occupies the former auditorium, where the ceiling was removed to open up a space 9 m high. Truss beams run overhead, and the original arched windows remain. European furniture and art complete the interior.
(Paid link)In the afternoon, Akane Tea Salon serves Japanese black tea from Nara Prefecture with sweets. Choose a book from the shelves of travel and architecture titles and read at leisure over your tea.
Nara Prison Museum stands on the same grounds, and hotel guests may visit as often as they like during opening hours, moving between the lounge and the exhibits to learn more about the building’s history.
Enclosed by the cell blocks, the courtyard has white paths laid out in a geometric pattern and a deck where you can look up at the sky. After dark, lighting inspired by moonlight comes on. You can step outside before or after dinner to explore the courtyard in its evening light.
(Paid link)From an Aperitif in the Former Warehouse to Semi-Private Dining
The Gastronomy Chronicle dinner begins with an aperitif in the dining lounge, housed in a former warehouse. You can enjoy your drink with a view of the courtyard through large windows added to its walls during the renovation.
(Paid link)The course itself is served in a separate building. There, former single cells and visiting rooms of the detention block have been turned into semi-private dining spaces for up to six guests.
When the hotel opened, the course comprised four plates tracing the story of Western cuisine in Japan through four eras. The first, Early Development, presented yoshoku, Japan’s Western-style cooking, as a full-course meal in bite-size portions on a single plate. Maturity offered braised sole with sauce Albert, Modern Day a meat dish, and a dessert themed on the Future closed the meal.
Alongside the course, there is a shabu-shabu set meal, a seasonal Japanese set meal and an à la carte menu.
Gramophone Music and Fragrance Blending at Night
Later in the evening, The Gramophone Soirée is held in the dining lounge. Over a drink, you can listen to music from a hand-wound gramophone, with the needle changed for each piece.
(Paid link)Evening Fragrance Blending is inspired by the perfumes that reached Japan in the Meiji era. You create a fragrance of your own, combining layers of scent that change over time.
The Museum in the Morning, and a Yoshoku Breakfast
The next morning, part of Nara Prison Museum opens to guests before regular hours.
On The Promenade of Time, a morning tour, staff lead guests through the central guard station, the former auditorium and the former warehouse. In the buildings now used for tea and aperitifs, they explain how each was conserved and renovated, including the large windows added to the warehouse walls.
(Paid link)For the Meiji-style Breakfast, small portions of yoshoku dishes long enjoyed in Japan, such as Scotch eggs, fried prawns and crab cream croquettes, are served with rice. Japanese and Western breakfasts are also available.
Before You Book
Rooms (all suites; listed occupancy for every type is 1–2 guests)
- The 9-Cell: 50–57 m². Hollywood twin (two 95 × 200 cm beds)
- The 10-Cell: 60 m². One king-size bed (190 × 200 cm)
- The 11-Cell Deluxe: 70 m². One king-size bed (190 × 200 cm). Includes a dressing lounge
- Every suite has a bathtub, with separate bathing, toilet and washbasin areas
- Photos and floor plans on the hotel’s official website are examples only; a specific room cannot be selected
- There is no pool, hot spring, shared bathing facility, or spa or massage service on site
Hours and Reservations
- Check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00
- Gastronomy Chronicle: 17:15 / 19:30. Reserve after completing your room booking; the deadline is 16:00 on the day. A vegetarian menu is available. This course cannot be individually adjusted for allergies or ingredients you prefer to avoid
- Meiji-style Breakfast: 7:00–9:30. Reserve by 21:00 the previous day
- Akane Tea Salon: 15:00–16:30 (main lounge). Free, no reservation needed
- The Promenade of Time: 8:00–8:45. Free; reserve by 21:00 the previous day
- The Gramophone Soirée: 21:00–22:30. Ages 20 and over; no reservation needed; some items carry an extra charge
- Evening Fragrance Blending: one hour from 21:30. Fee applies; reservation required
- Nara Prison Museum: open 9:00–17:00 (free for hotel guests, no reservation needed). Special openings for hotel guests run 18:00–23:00 and 6:00–8:30, with access to certain areas only. The evening special opening does not take place during the night event period listed below
The Gramophone Soirée and Evening Fragrance Blending take place at overlapping times.
This Winter
- "PRISON BY NIGHT : Light & Echoes": December 4, 2026–January 31, 2027 (except January 12–14), 18:00–21:00. Free for hotel guests, no reservation needed
- Nara Marathon: December 13, 2026. Traffic restrictions are scheduled in the surrounding area from 8:30 to 15:00 and will affect bus and parking access
Getting There
- Taxi: about 6 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara Station and about 10 minutes from JR Nara Station. Ask for "HOSHINOYA Nara Prison, main gate" (星のや奈良監獄 表門前). This is a different location from the museum entrance
- Nara Kotsu local bus: get off at "Hannyaji" and walk about 5 minutes to the hotel (fare required)
- Nara Kotsu direct bus to Nara Prison Museum: about 3 minutes’ walk from the last stop to the hotel (fare required)
- The hotel does not offer a shuttle service
- Free outdoor parking (no reservation needed)
Booking on Expedia
On Expedia’s English-language site, the hotel is listed as "HOSHINOYA Nara Prison." The three room names are:
- Standard Suite, 2 Twin Beds, Non Smoking
- Standard Suite, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking
- Signature Suite, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking
These differ from the names the hotel uses, so compare the size and bed configuration with the room information above when choosing.
According to Expedia’s property information, breakfast is charged separately. Check the details shown for the rate you book to see whether meals are included and what refund conditions apply if you cancel.
Check availability at HOSHINOYA Nara Prison on Expedia (Paid link)
Wishing you a wonderful, memorable stay at HOSHINOYA Nara Prison.
