Inside Japan's New Prison Hotel, The Return Of Supersonic Air Travel And More Travel News

Japan’s new prison hotel and shifting aviation rules highlight fresh momentum in travel, including a potential return of supersonic service. In Nara, Japan, Hoshinoya Nara Prison—built as a penitentiary in 1908—reopened after closing in 2017 as a 48-room luxury hotel, with some cells converted into high-end suites. Its restaurant draws on the Meiji period, when Western ingredients and cooking methods first appeared in Japanese kitchens. Separately, the U.S. FAA said it will lift the 1973 ban on supersonic travel and replace it with new noise limits. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said technological advances will eliminate the traditional sonic boom; the new rules are expected by mid-2027, potentially benefiting companies such as Spike Aerospace and Boom Supersonic. The roundup also cites a 30% worldwide rise in searches for solo travel for women over five years and a 2025 survey showing nearly 40% interest in traveling alone.