Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan - The Oldest Hotel in the World

Have you ever wondered what the oldest hotel in the world is? The oldest hotel in the world is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, a hot-spring hotel located in Hayakawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

It was founded in 705 A.D. and has been in continuous operation since then. The same family managed it for 52 generations, until that line of succession ended in 2017.

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is a traditional Japanese hotel known as a ryokan. Besides its fame as the oldest hotel, it is known for baths supplied directly by the natural springs of Nishiyama Onsen.

The hotel has 37 rooms, each traditionally decorated and equipped with tatami and futons. Guests can enjoy traditional Japanese meals, as well as activities such as fishing and hiking in nature.

Keiunkan is an example of Japan's broader shinise tradition of long-established businesses, although its family succession ended in 2017.

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The History of Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

According to the inn's official history, Fujiwara no Mahito founded Keiunkan in 705, during the second year of the Keiun era.

It was called Keiunkan because it was built during the Keiun era. The inn was also used by Takeda Shingen and Tokugawa Ieyasu, according to its traditional history.

The hotel draws its bath water from four natural hot-spring sources. Its official website says the spring water has continued to flow since the inn was founded.

The property was managed by the same family for 52 generations. In June 2017, the ryokan business was transferred to a newly created company, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan Ltd. Kenjiro Kawano, who had served as general manager and was not a member of the founding family, became president.

The transfer ended the continuous family succession, while the hotel itself remained open and retained its history. Tokyo Shoko Research later reported that the former operating company was dissolved and that the new company continued the ryokan business.

In Japanese culture, traditional businesses are often passed down from parent to child for several generations. Several establishments have histories exceeding 500 years.

Questions about Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

Let's finish by answering some questions about this ryokan with more than 1,300 years of history.

How do you get to Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan?

The official website lists a shuttle from JR Minobu Station. Guests should confirm the current departure time and reservation requirements directly with the hotel before traveling.

Is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan the oldest hotel in the world?

Yes. Guinness World Records lists Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan as the world's oldest hotel and dates its operation to 705. Hōshi Ryokan, commonly dated to 718, previously held the oldest-hotel title. Guinness now lists Hōshi under a separate record for the oldest family business.

Was Nishiyama Onsen Japan's first hot spring?

The Guinness record concerns the continuous history of a hotel rather than the first use of a hot spring in Japan. Claims about ancient onsen such as Dōgo Onsen belong to a different historical question and should not be treated as competing hotel records.

These records measure different forms of continuity: Keiunkan's hotel history since 705, Hōshi's family-business succession, and the older documentary traditions associated with individual hot springs.