The world's oldest hotel: 1,317 years old, still fully booked every tourist season

At over 1,300 years old, this is the world's oldest hotel still in operation, an enduring symbol of service, cultural tradition and endurance over the centuries.

What's special is that the hot spring here has welcomed everyone from feudal samurai to modern tourists, maintaining its ancient features and hospitality since 705.

Nestled in the quiet mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, there is an ancient hotel called Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan – a place that is not only a resort, but also a "living witness" to more than 13 centuries of ups and downs in Japanese history. Recorded in the Guinness Book of Records in 2011, this is the world's oldest hotel still in operation – an eternal symbol of endurance, tradition and hospitality through the generations.

Legend has it that in 705, the eldest son of Fujiwara no Kamatari – one of the most powerful clans of the time – was walking in the Hayakawa Mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture when he accidentally discovered a mysterious hot spring gushing out of the wilderness. Soon after, an inn was built next to the spring, with an architecture entirely made of wood and stone, imbued with the traditional Japanese spirit.

That inn is the predecessor of today's Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan - a rare construction that has survived all the vicissitudes of time, from the time of the samurai to the era of 4.0 technology.

What makes Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan special is not only its incredible age, but also the fact that it has been passed down through 52 generations of the same family. Each owner has committed to maintaining the core values – from the architecture, service style to the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

However, by the 53rd generation, that tradition was in trouble. With no relatives or descendants to inherit the hotel, the hotel was forced to hand over management to Mr. Kenjiro Kawano – a long-time manager who was not related by blood to the founding family. Although not considered the “legal heir” according to tradition, Kenjiro Kawano still maintained his mission of preserving the hotel’s soul.

The hotel was last renovated in 1997. However, “renewal” here does not mean modernization. Every element has been kept in its traditional style: from the tatami mats on the floor, kakejiku (traditional scroll paintings) on the walls, to the minimalist but luxurious and neat rooms.

The hotel has only 35 rooms – a modest number compared to other luxury resorts. However, this limitation is what makes Keiunkan unique: peaceful, private and cozy.

Each standard room here is designed with three main spaces – including two reception areas and a living space. On the walls are ink paintings of nature, signed by traditional artists, creating the feeling of living in an ancient scroll. For a more luxurious experience, visitors can choose a VIP room for about 269 USD/night – a price not too high compared to the cultural, spiritual and unique landscape that this place brings.

At the heart of the entire Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan experience are the hot springs that have kept millions of visitors coming back for centuries. In 2015, the hotel dug a new well, 888 meters deep, not only to increase the water supply, but also to make this the resort with the largest flow of hot spring water in Japan.

The hotel currently has a total of 6 hot spring baths: 4 outdoor baths with direct views of the mountains, and 2 indoor baths for guests who prefer privacy. All use water from the Hakuho underground mineral source - famous for its purity and high mineral content, good for health and mental relaxation.

One thing that surprises many first-time visitors is that the hotel does not have a restaurant. Instead, meals – from breakfast to dinner – are served directly to the room. The menu changes daily, and although there is some repetition, it is always imbued with Japanese flavors: from salt-grilled stream fish, fragrant sticky rice, to exquisite Kaiseki dishes.

Each dish is meticulously prepared and presented like a work of art, reflecting the philosophy of "omotenashi" - sincere hospitality, respecting every smallest detail to bring the perfect experience to the user.

To get to Keiunkan, the journey of visitors is not simply a journey, but a true "turn back in time". Departing from Shizuoka Station, you will take the bullet train east. The deeper you go into the mountains, the more modern the landscape gradually recedes, giving way to peaceful countryside, traditional wooden houses and the faint silhouette of Mount Fuji in the distance.

At Minobu Station – where the train stops – the hotel has a shuttle service ready. Minobu village is so small that there are no convenience stores or fast food chains, and the population is only about 11,000. From here, it takes about an hour to travel through the mountains and forests, before the old tiled roof of the hotel appears in the quiet valley.

Despite its growing media and social media fame, the hotel has remained steadfast in its refusal to expand. Current manager Kenjiro Kawano believes that its isolation, lack of access, and small size are what make it special and enduring.

“We don’t need to change to be trendy. Customers come to Keiunkan for its old values and tranquility – something that very few places still retain,” Mr. Kawano shared.

In 2011, the Guinness World Records officially recognized Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan as the world's oldest continuously operating hotel. This certification is not only a historical recognition, but also helps the hotel become a favorite destination for international tourists who love Japanese traditions.

No modern meeting rooms, no luxurious spas or sparkling bars – Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan quietly welcomes thousands of visitors every year. They come here not for the glitz, but for the original values: refined minimalism, sincere hospitality, and a space completely separated from the hustle and bustle of life.

In a world that is increasingly spinning with speed, technology and modern conveniences, Keiunkan is like an "oasis of time" - a place where people can stop, take a deep breath, listen to the sound of the stream flowing, feel the smell of old wood in the tatami room, and let their souls touch a rare tranquility.

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