World's Oldest Hotel is Now 1300 Years Young - Still Counting!

For roughly 1,300 years, the descendants of Fujiwara Mahito – all 52 generations of them – have operated the Hotel, which was founded in 705AD – some 300 years before the Vikings came to America and 225 years before the founding of the kingdom of England. That was the 2nd year of the Keiun era, which led to the hotel’s “Keiunkan” name.

With that sort of longevity, it’s not too surprising the hotel was named the world’s oldest by the Guinness Book of World Records. The world’s second oldest hotel – The Hoshi Ryokan, which opened 13 years later – is also in Japan, roughly a six hour drive from the Keiunkan and set near the Sea of Japan.

The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is located at the foot of the South Japanese Alps Guests are said to include everyone from politicians to Samurai & from Kings to Merchants And many come for the same thing: the inn’s hot springs, which have flowed since its opening.

The hotel markets those springs – and nearby attractions such as Mt. Fjui and the Jigokudani Monkey Park each 3-4 hours away – on its Website, but it is low key about its long family history. Infact there is  no notification in any of its marketing about the distinction of family history of the hotel.

The trick to the hotel’s longevity seems to be the family experience and expertise in running a service organization, though. Virtually every review of the establishment on Trip Advisor falls in the “excellent” or “very good” fields. Twice more than top 10 hotels in the world put together.

 “Staff was extremely attentive and gave me a birthday gift and also delivered a cake to my room later,” wrote one past guest, adding “truly pampered.”

Last renovated in 1997, it’s not an especially large hotel. The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has 37 rooms (some with open-air baths and another with a moon-viewing platform), along with a karaoke bar and a restaurant that serves locally-sourced koshu beef.

Rooms start at 52,000 Yen – about $439 – INR 31,430/-per night.

Interesting Facts About The Hotel

·      The property is known for its hot springs and has six baths fed by four separate springs. Two of the baths are indoor

·      The hotel is nestled in the mountains in a remote valley. It offers views of nature but is several hours drive from the nearest attraction

·      The 35 rooms inside in the historic building have hosted everyone from politicians to samurai and military commanders.

·      It was said to have been particularly popular during the warring periods because of the beneficial effects of the spring water on aching muscles.

·      Almost everything in the hotel is run with the help of the hot springs. At the entrance, there's even a water fountain fed by the springs

·      Although the hotel was last renovated in 1997, everything remains traditional. The rooms are furnished with tatami mats and classic art

·    In the outdoor baths, guests can enjoy the healing properties of the hot spring water while admiring the stunning views around them

·      It's all about relaxation at the hotel. There's no wifi or internet access so guests will have to immerse themselves in their surroundings

·      Its closest attractions, Mount Fuji and Jigokudani Monkey Park, are two and half hours and almost four hours drive away respectively

·      The hotel is digging a new 888 meter well that would make it the hot spring resort with the most amount of water produced per minute

·      Guests are given traditional robes to wear and are expected to take off their outdoor shoes when they enter the building 

What say?. Planning to head here, be ready for some fantastic rejuvenation in the world's oldest Spa resort - The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan.

Go new places, but visit the old; Those are silver, these are gold. See you soon