Nara Prison Museum by Hoshino Resorts

　The 「Nara Prison Museum by Hoshino Resorts」 is a museum that preserves and utilizes the former Nara Prison. This building was constructed in 1908 and used as a prison and rehabilitation facility for over 100 years until 2017. Now designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, it is the only one of the five major Meiji-era prisons whose entire structure remains intact.
　The museum's theme is 「Questions from a Beautiful Prison.」 Here, as you tour, various "questions" will arise, such as:
　　•What is freedom?
　　•How do I want to live?
　　•What do I want to cherish?

■Three Features of the Nara Prison Museum
１，「A Beautiful Prison」
　　　It is the only one of the five major Meiji-era prisons that retains its original appearance.

▲Haviland System

２，「Beautiful Brick Architecture」：A rare architectural design that radiates outwards from the central guardhouse.

▲Preservation Area： Third Dormitory

　Consideration for Human Rights： The 「Third Dormitory」 in the preservation area has 96 rooms (solitary confinement cells), designed to allow warm natural light in through high windows.

３，「Exhibition Area」
・Building A：「History and Architecture」

▲Building A, which consists of eight exhibition rooms

　・Brick wall made by inmates： Under the guidance of craftsmen, over 150,000 inmates fired bricks themselves to build this building.
　・Transformation into Nara Juvenile Prison：Later, it became Nara Juvenile Prison, the first place in Japan where inmates could receive high school education. Here, inmates were called 「students,」 and interaction with the local community was also valued.

・Building B:「Discipline and Life」

▲Building B：Room of Discipline
　　
　Building B explores the theme of 「Discipline and Life,」presenting it through seven perspectives: 「Discipline,」「Food,」「Hygiene,」「Work,」「Rehabilitation,」「Money,」 and 「Freedom.」

・Building C：「Prison and Art」
　Building C is an exhibition space utilizing the former medical office (a place where sick and injured people were treated). Here, you can see art works on themes such as:
　•Crime and Punishment
　•Time and Life　　
　In addition to works by five artists, prison art created by inmates is also on display. You can deepen your own thoughts and feelings while viewing the works.

▲Artwork in Building C: 「 Sewing Voices／Yoshinari Nishio」

■Museum Shop

　The museum shop offers souvenirs and original goods. For example:
　•Postcards
　•Confectionery
　•Apparel items such as clothes and bags.
　There is also a section showcasing products made in prisons across Japan. These items, carefully selected by art director Taku Sato from a design perspective, are available for purchase.

・Recommended item①：Magnifying glass　¥7,260 (tax included)

　This magnifying glass was designed to resemble the museum's symbol, "the Key". It's an original product developed under the supervision of art director Taku Sato, in collaboration with 「KISSO」, a company in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture. It uses a special material also used in eyeglasses, resulting in beautiful colors and textures.

・Recommended item②：Yamato-shi Uruwashi 4-piece Box　¥2,500 (tax included)

　This is a collaborative product with Nara's confectionery shop,「Nara Shogaku.」 It contains the following four types of confectionery:
　•Caramel
　•Fukiyose (a variety of confectionery)
　•Kohanamame（sweetened boiled beans）
　•Lightly Salted
　The packaging features an original design by the Nara Prison Museum.

■Foreign Language Services
　Multilingual audio guides are available inside the museum. You can listen to them on your smartphone. Supported languages ​​include:
　•English
　•Chinese
　•Korean etc., total 6 other languages.
　Staff who can provide guidance in English are also available.

■To International Visitors to Japan
「Nara Prison Museum by Hoshino Resorts」 is a special place where you can learn about the history and culture of Japanese penal systems. This building is the only one of the 「Five Great Prisons of the Meiji Era」 that remains almost entirely in its original form. Through history, design, and art, you can reflect on 「freedom」 and Japanese culture. Enjoy a special experience at the beautiful red brick building of the former Nara Prison.

■About Nara Prison Museum by Hoshino Resorts
　Opening Hours：9:00-17:00（Last entry 16:00）
　Closed ：None
　Admission fee：Adults 2,500 yen～（tax included）
　Address：18 Hannyaji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
　　　※For reservations and detailed information, please check the official website.
　　　　https://hoshinoresorts.com/nara-prison-museum/ja/
　　　※All images source：Nara Prison Museum by Hoshino Resorts