Insane transformation of Japan prison into luxury hotel

Aussies travelling to Japan will be able to stay in solitary confinement prison cells turned into guests rooms.

Solitary confinement cells in a 115-year-old Japanese prison are being turned into guests rooms for tourists.

Aussie travellers are expected to be able to stay at the former Nara Prison, which opened in 1908 and was closed in 2017, early in 2026 after it is turned into a luxury hotel by Hoshino Resorts.

The cells will be transformed into 48 guest rooms and the guard quarters will become shared spaces.

There will be a restaurant, lounge and museum telling the history of the former prison, which will be open to day visitors.

Hoshino Resorts global marketing director Asako Sato told news.com.au the former prison would be seismically reinforced and the interior would be renovated, “while leaving the existing appearance as it is” because it is a preserved building.

A central guard towers at the prison oversees multiple radial wings of cells. Picture: Hoshino Resorts

She said it was the first time a prison hotel like it had been created in Japan.

“This project to utilise a national important cultural asset, the prison, as a hotel is the first attempt in Japan, and we believe that incorporating historical and cultural elements into the facility concept will be a great attraction to customers not only in Japan but also in the world including the Australian market,” she said.

The iconic former Nara Prison plans to open as a hotel in early 2026. Picture: Former Nara Prison

The hotel will fall under the company’s luxury flagship brand HOSHINOYA, and expects to attract couples who value luxury or those who are interested in staying at historical buildings.

“The former Nara Prison is one of the five largest prisons in Japan, completed in 1908, and was designed by the Meiji government to meet the international standard for prisons,” Ms Sato explained.

It marked the modernisation and construction of Western-style confinement facilities in Japan.

“The red brick building was designated as a National Important Cultural Property on February 29, 2009, for its high historical value and modern architectural design.”

Inside the former Nara Prison, dating back to 1908. Picture: Former Nara Prison

Australian tourists love Japan

According to data from online travel agency Agoda, Japan has been the top international destination for Aussie solo travellers since 2017 and was only replaced by Bali this year.

News.com.au also recently revealed a whopping eight out of the top 10 international destinations that Aussies are searching for most on Airbnb are in Japan.

Data from the accommodation platform obtained exclusively by news.com.au showed from January 1 to September 15 Australian users were searching Japanese destinations the most for stays in November and December this year.

Airbnb Australia said eight out of 10 of the top trending destinations being from one country was a lot, but Australia’s love for Japan was unsurprising.

“Australians have always been enthusiastic travellers to Japan, enjoying the amazing skiing, food and culture that the country offers so it’s no surprise to see Japan feature so highly in the international searches for Australian travellers this summer – especially those looking to escape the heat,” Airbnb Australia and New Zealand manager Susan Wheeldon told news.com.au.

Expedia’s latest trending data revealed Asian destinations dominated the top 10 locations Aussies want to visit over the Christmas and New Year period, with Tokyo ranked eight on that list, not far behind Denpasar in Indonesia, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, and Singapore.