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In the quiet mountain town of Hayakawa, Japan, a small inn has been welcoming weary travelers since the year 705. That’s not a typo—705 AD. For over 1,300 years, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has remained open, serving emperors, samurai, and modern-day guests with a blend of simplicity, tradition, and hot spring hospitality.

Founded by Fujiwara Mahito, the hotel has been passed down through the same family for more than 50 generations. While dynasties and empires came and went, the inn stayed put—quietly tending to its guests in the same valley where it began. It holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest hotel still in operation.

The secret to its long life? Naturally flowing hot spring water. Tucked at the base of the Akaishi Mountains, the hotel sits above a mineral-rich spring that has been bubbling up from the earth for centuries. These onsen baths have drawn travelers from all walks of life, seeking rest, warmth, and healing.

While the bones of the hotel are ancient, the experience isn’t stuck in the past. Keiunkan has been carefully updated over the years—now offering private hot spring baths in every room, along with traditional tatami flooring, seasonal kaiseki meals, and staff in classic kimono. The aesthetic is old-world, but the comfort is timeless.

In a world that’s constantly reinventing itself, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has done something radical: it stayed the same. Rooted in place and tradition, it reminds us that not everything needs to change to endure. And if you ever find yourself deep in Yamanashi Prefecture, you can still check in—just as travelers have for over 1,300 years.

Until next time,

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