Koshu Nishiyama: the world’s oldest hotel

Did you know that nowadays a business company survives on average for about 15 years? If you did not, you might be more surprised to learn that the Koshu Nishiyama Keiunkan, a hot spring hotel about three hours from Tokyo by car, has been operating for 1,300 years. Precisely, it was inaugurated in the year 705 according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Japan has always been a world reference for hot springs since there are more than 3,000 natural baths. In many of them, hot spring resorts have been installed offering a service that goes hand in hand with that of luxury hotels, and among them is the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan.

This typical inn for passing travelers, known as ryokan in Japanese, was renovated in 1997 but the establishment still maintains the historical and traditional style and essence, with rooms with tatami mats. The building retains many wooden elements that help this 4-star hotel to be well integrated into its natural surroundings. Without Internet access and with the sound of the Haya River a few meters away from the hotel rooms, it is a privileged destination to unwind. In addition to the obligatory dip in the natural hot springs, guests can also enjoy locally sourced Koshu beef at the hotel’s restaurant.

The Keiunkan Inn was founded in the second year of the Keiun era (hence the adjective) by Fujiwara Mahito, the son of an aide to the 38th Japanese emperor. And 52 generations followed after him! Throughout centuries, historical figures such as the military leader Takeda Shingen of the Sengoku period, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun to rule Japan, and other famous samurai soaked in its hot springs as they might have been passing by.