In the remote mountains of Japan sits a hotel that first opened its doors more than thirteen centuries ago. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan holds the 2011 Guinness World Record as the oldest hotel on the planet.
Founded in the year 705, this traditional hot spring inn has hosted ancient samurai, powerful shoguns, and modern travelers. It operated continuously under a single family for 52 generations before facing a major ownership change.
A Millennium in the Japanese Alps
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan sits at the base of the Akaishi Mountains in Hayakawa, a small town in Yamanashi Prefecture. The hotel takes its name from the Keiun era, the specific historical period of its founding. In 705, Fujiwara no Mahito, the son of a close aide to Emperor Tenji, established the inn.
He discovered the abundant Hakuho Springs flowing through the valley and opened a bathhouse. Over the centuries, the natural hot springs gained widespread popularity, drawing visitors from across the country to the secluded valley.
From Cave Pools to Private Baths
The facilities at the oldest hotel in the world are not actually ancient. The business continually developed and updated its infrastructure throughout its long history. The original bathers soaked in rudimentary pools carved directly into caves. These were later replaced by simple wooden huts, which the owners iteratively rebuilt and refined.
In 1997, the property underwent a massive transformation, converting into a traditional ryokan offering dedicated private rooms with tatami mats and futon bedding. By 2005, the inn added free-flowing private hot spring baths to every guest room. Today, the complex houses 37 rooms, a kaiseki restaurant, and a moon-viewing platform.
Samurai, Shoguns, and Emperors
The natural springs gush out between 1,000 and 1,600 liters of naturally heated water every single minute. The mineral-rich water contains sodium, calcium nitrates, and chloride. This massive volume fills both indoor and outdoor baths, allowing guests to view the surrounding forests and the nearby Haya River.
Historical records indicate that some of Japan’s most famous figures bathed in these waters. The powerful shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified Japan, visited the inn twice. The famous feudal lord Takeda Shingen and the reigning Emperor of Japan, Naruhito, have also stayed at the property.
The End of a 52-Generation Run
For 1,312 years, the descendants of Fujiwara no Mahito passed the business down through 52 generations, occasionally adopting heirs to keep the operation strictly within the family. However, this continuous run ended in 2017. With no family members willing to take over the demanding operations, the holding company dissolved.
The owners transferred the ancient business to a new company and selected the general manager, Kenjiro Kawano, to serve as the new president. Today, Kawano continues to run the historic hotel, welcoming guests to the exact same springs discovered in 705.