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Built in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, the oldest hotel in the world according to Guinness World Records. It has been operated by the same family for more than 1,300 years since it was established in 705 AD. Despite its age, this hot spring inn has not lost its appeal and still attracts visitors from all over the world, combining the tradition of the past and the convenience of the present.
The legend has it that a samurai by the name of Fujiwara Mahito founded the inn in order to develop the area’s healing waters. During the Edo period, anyone who could afford it – be it a poet, a shogun, or just a weary traveler – soaked in the onsen and listened to the valves and streams’ gentle sound around him. Keiunkan was originally a small stopover for feudal lords and wandering monks, but with the passage of time, the new generations added more features to the hotel such as tatami floor, wooden tubs and kaiseki meals according to the season and local cuisine.
One of the main reasons for the Keiunkan’s longevity is that it can change without changing. Though the building is made of wooden frames and paper sliding doors, the management has quietly brought in the Wi-Fi and climate control, which today’s travelers take for granted. Today, guests can walk the same corridors once walked on by samurai while also being able to connect with friends back home in real time.
When Western-style luxury chains started to appear in the skyline of Japan’s largest cities, Keiunkan remained exceptional because it preserves the ryokan experience. The staff is also friendly and welcoming; some of them have been associated with the region for generations and will welcome you with tea and a respectful bow. Every meal is on local produce, and every outdoor bath offers a stunning mountain view. The structure’s periodic renovations also try to embody the spirit of the original design using locally sourced wood and traditional construction methods.
The continuity of Keiunkan through wars, natural disasters, and substantial changes in society is a testimony to the strength of Japan’s hospitality traditions. The present owners, the 52nd generation, see themselves as protectors rather than creators. Nevertheless, the inn has never shunned the opportunity to incorporate new concepts of comfort and service while preserving its link with the past. This equilibrium between the conservation of the heritage and the adoption of the evolution is what makes this old structure look and feel at the same time ancient and new.
