What does the collapse of the Berlin wall have in common with the establishment of the Kingdom of England? They’re both younger than the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, a resort in Japan that has been INN business since 705 AD, and is officially recognized by The Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel in the world. Over the centuries, it has grown quite a guest list, including everyone from highest-ranking politicians to samurai. Most of them probably came to the resort for the same reason it is visited today: the hot springs, which have been flowing around the complex since its opening.
The main trick behind the hotel’s 1,313-year longevity seems to be family experience and expertise. A man named Fujiwara Mahito founded the inn in the second year of the Keiun era, and his descendants have been caring for it ever since. All 52 generations of them. And even though they have been constantly expanding and modernizing the site, it has kept its majestic aura. Last renovated in 1997, it’s not an especially large hotel. The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has 37 rooms with prices starting at about $470 per night.
More info: keiunkan.co.jp
This is the oldest hotel in the world, standing just a short drive away from Mount Fuji
It's called Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan and it was established in 705 A.D.
You can hear the sound of the river flowing in front of the inn
Breakfast is served in your own room
Keiunkan’s famous bath, "Mochitani no Yu"
Visitors can drink hot spring water here
The room
Clean and simple, Japanese style
The bath. Hot-spring fed, of course
“Hakuhou no Yu"
The scenery from the open-air bath is amazing!
The garden is perfectly Japanese
So spacious!
The bath is made with 2,000 year old Japanese cypress
Reservable open-air bath "Kawaoto"
The inn comprises 35 guest rooms
