A new luxury hotel has opened in Nara, Japan, inside a building that once served as a prison. Guests now pay premium rates to sleep in converted cells. The historic structure still maintains its original character, with a striking red brick gate marking the entrance and guard towers overlooking five two-story cell blocks.
Each guest room combines several former cells to create comfortable accommodations. While the rooms now feature plush bedding and modern amenities, the thick walls and reinforced doors remain unchanged. The layout does not hide what the space used to be, allowing visitors to experience the building's history firsthand.
The concept raises ethical questions for some visitors. Is it appropriate to enjoy luxury accommodations in a place where people were once held against their will? In Japan, where public safety is highly valued, the transformation of former prisons into hotels also brings attention to how such facilities are remembered and repurposed.
Sources: japantimes.co.jp
The words in bold are from the article.
| 1. premium | a. idea |
| 2. converted | b. high |
| 3. striking | c. strengthened |
| 4. maintains | d. comfortable |
| 5. plush | e. noticeable |
| 6. amenities | f. features |
| 7. reinforced | g. conversion |
| 8. concept | h. changed |
| 9. appropriate | i. suitable |
| 10. transformation | j. keeps |
1.b 2.h 3.e 4.j 5.d 6.f 7.c 8.a 9.i 10.g