Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan - The Oldest Hotel in The World

The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan spa hotel was originally opened in 705 AD, and in 2011, it was declared the oldest hotel in the world by Guinness World Records (currently 1320 years old). The hotel was established by Fujiwara Mahito, the son of an aide to the 38th Emperor of Japan, Emperor Tenji.

He discovered the healing hot spring water in the area and considered it the perfect place to open an inn. From its serene wooden architecture to its world-class hospitality, Keiunkan has welcomed samurai, aristocrats, and travelers for centuries.

The hotel has remained within the same family for generations, thanks to a practice common in Japan known as "adult adoption." This method allows a capable employee, who is deemed fit to take over the hotel as the owner ages, to be adopted into the owner's family. In Japanese, the practice of adopting adults is called "mukoyoshi." As a result, the hotel has been passed down through 52 generations from father to son (or an adopted son).

The hotel was slowly modernized but retained its colorful charm and unique demeanor as the generations passed. The hotel's recent renovation equipped the rooms with modern amenities without sacrificing the historic and relaxing ambiance.

The hotel lies at the foot of the Akaishi mountains in the south-east of Japan. Traveling to the inn involves a scenic journey into the remote mountainous region of Yamanashi Prefecture, accessible by train and bus from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. The trip features beautiful landscapes and well-maintained routes.

The inn provides luxurious amenities, including thermal baths (fed by the local Hakuho Springs), comfortable guest rooms, and exceptional hospitality. You can enjoy typical hotel services and local specialties like in-room dining, private open-air baths, and traditional Japanese cuisine.

During your stay at the hot springs at the base of the mountains, you can enjoy the same caliber of legendary hospitality experienced by noble samurai, famed shogun, and tourists for over a thousand years.

For many centuries, the hotel has hosted several prominent historical figures, including the 16th-century samurai warlord Takeda Shingen and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

The lobby is spacious, with glass walls offering a view of the Early River Valley.

The interior space opens to nature when the sliding doors move to the side. The inn's architecture reflects traditional Japanese design principles, incorporating natural materials and harmonious spaces

The hotel's restaurant serves distinctive Miyama Kaiseki meals, seafood sourced from Sanga, and some of the finest Koshu beef in the world. Dinners are enjoyed in private dining rooms overlooking the river. The cuisine showcases local and seasonal ingredients—including river fish and wild vegetables—prepared with meticulous care and attention to detail.

Kitadake Suite has a free-flowing open-air bath and a balcony overlooking the river. The guest rooms are well-appointed with tatami mats, tea sets, air purifiers, and closets with yukata (traditional Japanese robes).

The inn features six bathing areas, including private open-air baths. These baths are supplied by natural hot springs, known for their high quality and healing properties. Among them, the "Hikari no Yu" and "Ishibuki no Yu" baths provide scenic views and a relaxing atmosphere.

After checking into your beautiful Japanese hotel room, you can take a dip in their hot springs, which are gunning for another Guinness World Record for the most productive hot spring in the world (pumping over 1,630 liters per minute).

Romantic outdoor thermal bath with lush green forest view. Keiunkan has six pools, four open-air baths, and two indoor baths.

The hotel has four different healing mineral water sources from Hakuho Springs.

The picture-perfect Japanese garden of Keiunkan, where you can rejuvenate.

Yamanashi Prefecture is home to many mountains, including Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan.