Japan’s Newest Luxury Hotel Is Housed in a Former Prison—and We Were the First to Stay

Japan’s Newest Luxury Hotel Is Housed in a Former Prison—and We Were the First to Stay

Hoshinoya Nara Prison is a captivating stay in the little-known first capital of Japan.The main gate of Hoshinoya Nara Prison.Credit: Hoshino ResortsHoshinoya Nara PrisonThe hotel’s 48 suites—formerly cells—are narrow and stretched out, with warm wood layered atop historical brick walls, sumptuous fabrics wrapping plush seating, and deep soaking tubs.The detail-oriented team gracefully rotates through venues and shines at sharing stories, histor…