{"id":186978,"date":"2025-10-16T20:03:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T11:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cp-global-admin.hoshinoresorts.com\/?p=186978"},"modified":"2026-04-02T17:01:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T08:01:02","slug":"hoshino-resorts-to-open-nara-prison-museum-on-april-27-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoshinoresorts.com\/en\/news\/10\/2025\/186978\/","title":{"rendered":"Hoshino Resorts to Open Nara Prison Museum on April 27, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Hoshino Resorts is set to open the Nara Prison Museum in Nara City on April 27, 2026. This museum is part of a major initiative to preserve and utilize the former Nara Prison, a National Important Cultural Property and the only remaining example of the five major prisons built by the Meiji government. The project aims to safeguard this architectural masterpiece and pass its historical significance to future generations. Operating under the concept, “An Eternal Question Posed by an Iconic Prison,” the museum is designed to be a unique facility that prompts visitors toward self-reflection and consideration of their own lives.<\/p>

*The “Five Major Meiji Prisons” refers to five prisons (Nara, Nagasaki, Kanazawa, Chiba, and Kagoshima) completed during the Meiji period.\u00a0<\/p>

About the Former Nara Prison
\"\"<\/b>Aerial photo from 2019 \u00a9Nara Prison Museum<\/em><\/p>

The former Nara Prison was built in 1908 as part of a major national project to modernize Japan. It was designed by Keijiro Yamashita, an architect involved in the construction of numerous courts and prisons. In 1946, it was renamed the “Nara Juvenile Prison,” where it contributed significantly as a correctional facility focused on rehabilitation and educational reform. In 2017, its historical significance and architectural design were recognized by the government and the facility was designated a National Important Cultural Property.<\/p>

Business Development on the Premises
<\/b>The grounds of the former Nara Prison will house both the Nara Prison Museum and an attached hotel, HOSHINOYA Nara Prison. The museum is divided into two main areas: the “Preservation Area,” which includes the original third dormitory and guardhouse, and the “Exhibition Area,” which features three exhibition wings, a cafe, and a gift shop.<\/p>

The Concept: “An Eternal Question Posed by an Iconic Prison”
<\/b>The museum is driven by the core concept, “An Eternal Question Posed by an Iconic Prison.” Utilizing the building\u2019s striking architecture and Meiji-era history, the museum offers a unique experience designed to encourage visitors to engage in self-reflection and contemplate the meaning of freedom within a setting historically defined by rigorous discipline.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Three Features of the Nara Prison Museum<\/b><\/h3>

  1. The Beautiful and Iconic Architecture\u00a0\u00a0
    \"\"
    <\/b>Building Exterior
    \"\"Central Detention Center
    <\/em><\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    The most distinctive feature of the former Nara Prison is its unique and imposing Western-style architecture. The red bricks on the grounds were crafted by inmates as part of their prison labor alongside master artisans. Inside, the spaces are filled with natural light from the high ceilings, reflecting a design that was mindful of human rights. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of the building while feeling the history etched into its very fabric.<\/p>

    1. Supervised and Art-Directed by World-Renowned Creators<\/b><\/p><\/li><\/ol>

      For this first museum project, Hoshino Resorts collaborated with internationally recognized creators to deeply explore the theme of imprisonment. By blending Hoshino Resorts’ mission of “making travel more fun” with the specialized expertise of these creators, they are developing a one-of-a-kind museum that effectively conveys the essential historical and architectural value of the former prison.<\/p>