A place to contemplate the meaning of "freedom." This is a museum located within the HOSHINOYA Nara Prison. Click here for details.
| Period | All year |
|---|---|
| Time | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 【Special Opening Hours Exclusively for HOSHINOYA Guests】6:00 PM-11:00 PM／6:00 AM-8:30 AM We will offer the Preservation Building in Nara Prison Museum. *Excluding the period of the night event "PRISON BY NIGHT : Light & Echoes" |
| Appropriate age | For all ages |
| Reservation | Not required |
| Prices | Hotel guests are welcome to visit the museum free of charge as many times as they like during opening hours. |
This winter, Nara Prison Museum will hold its very first night event: “PRISON BY NIGHT : Light & Echoes”. Featuring evening illumination that highlights the beauty of this Important Cultural Property, the event incorporates light, video, and sound installations across the preservation wing—home to 48 single cells—and the outdoor plaza. Event-exclusive cafe menu items will also be available.
Experience an unprecedented night museum that unlocks the architectural beauty and history of the former Nara Prison—spanning over 100 years—from a fresh perspective through modern artistic direction.
| Period | Fri, Dec 4, 2026 – Sun, Jan 31, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Time | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
| Reservation | Not Required *HOSHINOYA Guests only |
| Prices | Free *HOSHINOYA Guests only |
Special nighttime illumination highlights the contours of the Meiji-era modern architecture, the rich texture of the red brick, and the dramatic shadows. Immerse yourself in the striking power and architectural beauty shaped by over a century of history.
Set in the preservation wing with a 60-meter corridor featuring 48 individual cells. Immersive three-dimensional art blending light, video, and sound is projected onto the red brick walls, long hallways, and heavy cell doors. Silently reflect on the history carved into this venue and surrender to deep immersion.
Since its opening, the museum has hosted the “Prison Postcard Project,” inviting visitors to mail their thoughts in special postboxes. For this event, a projection art installation will display a selection of the over 5,000 messages received so far as “letters of light” across the red brick walls. Engage with the stories linked by these words, surrender to the atmosphere, or gently observe with a warm drink in hand. Spend your night just as you wish.
