Japanese Hotels Build Prisons to Attract Customers

Nowadays, many people enjoy traveling, which has led to the significant development of the tourism industry worldwide. The thriving tourism industry has naturally spurred the growth of numerous related industries, such as the hotel service industry. People traveling for leisure will undoubtedly seek accommodation, leading to the proliferation of hotels on city streets. The hotel industry is highly competitive, and many hotels have come up with creative strategies to enhance their competitiveness.

The elegant and refined decoration of hotels is undoubtedly something that many customers take into consideration. However, in Nara, Japan, there is a hotel that resembles a prison – a grim and dark environment with terrifying décor. Originally, this building was the 'Nara Juvenile Prison.' It gradually fell into disuse, and it ceased to be a prison in 2017. After renovation and refurbishment, it became a hotel offering accommodation and meals, incorporating many hotel elements, but its overall architectural style remained unchanged, still resembling a prison: red brick walls, high-voltage grids, and iron gates all tell a story of its past.

This prison-themed hotel attracted many tourists and became the most popular and sought-after hotel in the local area. Some of the hotel's dishes were named 'Criminal' and 'Hard Labor,' which were quite amusing. It really felt like a meal served to prisoners.