A hot-spring inn tucked into a mountain valley in western Yamanashi Prefecture has hosted travelers since the year 705 CE — a continuous operating run that earned it a Guinness World Records designation as the world’s oldest hotel. This article separates the verified facts about the property’s 1,300-year legacy, its current room rates, access logistics, and what recent guests actually say about staying there.
Last checked: 2026-10-11
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Founded: 705 CE · World’s Oldest Hotel: Yes (Guinness record) · Location: Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan · Baths Access: Open 24 hours
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-10-11.
Sources reviewed: Guinness World Records, Official Travel Guide Yamanashi, Japan National Tourism Organization, CNN Travel, Scripps News, Live Japan, Kayak, Expedia.
We conducted no on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification. Rate data is sourced from third-party booking sites and travel guides as of 2024, and may differ from current direct booking prices.
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan at a glance
- Founded 705 CE – over 1,300 years of operation (Guinness World Records)
- 52 generations reported (Scripps News)
- Officially named world’s oldest hotel in 2011 (Official Travel Guide Yamanashi)
- Natural mineral hot springs flowing for centuries, baths open 24 hours (Official Travel Guide Yamanashi)
Essential facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 705 CE |
| World’s Oldest Hotel | Yes (Guinness World Records, 2011) |
| Location | Nishiyama Onsen, Hayakawa-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan |
| Type of accommodation | Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) |
| Reported room count | 22 rooms (some sources list 37) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 3:00 p.m. / 10:00 a.m. |
| Baths | Public baths open 24 hours; indoor and outdoor options |
| Major remodeling | 1997 |
| Notable historical guest | Tokugawa Ieyasu |
Property specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan |
| Address | Nishiyama Onsen, Hayakawa-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan |
| Traditional founding | 705 CE (Keiun era) |
| Guinness record | World’s oldest continuously operating hotel (awarded 2011) |
| Room count | 22–37 rooms (sources disagree) |
| Room features | Tatami floors, futon bedding, traditional Japanese furnishings |
| Bath type | Natural hot spring (onsen), public baths, gender-separated |
| Meals | Traditional Japanese ryokan meals (breakfast typically included) |
| Check-in / Check-out | 3:00 p.m. / 10:00 a.m. |
| Notable past guests | Tokugawa Ieyasu (shogun, Edo period) |
Pros and cons
- Unmatched historical pedigree — stays here connect you to a 1,300-year operating tradition with Guinness World Records backing.
- Natural hot-spring baths fed by Nishiyama Onsen’s mineral waters, available 24 hours a day.
- Remote mountain setting beside the Hayakawa River, praised by many reviewers for tranquility and natural scenery.
- Traditional ryokan experience: tatami rooms, Japanese meals, and attentive service that many guests highlight.
- Access is time-consuming — the journey from Tokyo takes roughly 3+ hours by train and bus with multiple transfers.
- The property’s remote location means rental cars and taxis are more limited and expensive than in urban areas.
- Some booking-site reviewers mention dated infrastructure and occasional cleanliness concerns.
- Room counts vary across published sources (22 vs. 37), and the current buildings date from a 1997 remodel — not from 705 CE.
What is the history of Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan?
The inn traces its origins to 705 CE, during Japan’s Keiun era — a fact confirmed by Guinness World Records, which recognizes it as the world’s oldest continuously operating hotel. The property’s name directly references that era, which lasted from 704 to 708 CE, according to the Official Travel Guide Yamanashi. The same source notes that the inn’s natural hot-spring waters “have continued flowing for centuries.”
Tradition offers two overlapping accounts of the inn’s founding. The Yamanashi tourism guide states that the spring was discovered by the learned priest Joue. Separately, CNN Travel identifies Fujiwara no Mahito as the traditionally recognized founder. These stories are not identical, but both place the inn’s establishment in the early 8th century.
52 generations and notable guests
Scripps News reports that the inn has been managed by 52 generations of the same family — though the exact management structure today is not confirmed by a primary source. The Japan National Tourism Organization lists Tokugawa Ieyasu, the powerful Edo-period shogun, among the inn’s historical guests.
Not a 1,300-year-old building
An important distinction: the 705 CE date refers to the inn’s operating tradition, not its physical structures. CNN notes that the property experienced major fires in 1909 and 1916, and that a large rock destroyed one building in 1925. The Yamanashi tourism guide states the inn was entirely remodeled in 1997. The current buildings are modern, even if the hospitality tradition is ancient.
How do I get to Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan?
The inn sits beside the Hayakawa River in a remote, mountainous area of western Yamanashi Prefecture, in Japan’s Chubu region near the Akaishi Mountains. Reaching it requires a multi-leg journey from major cities.
From Tokyo (Shinjuku)
The Japan National Tourism Organization describes a route: take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Kofu (approximately 90 minutes), transfer to the JR Minobu Line to Minobu station (approximately 90 minutes), then take a bus to Nishiyama Hot Spring-mae (approximately 90 minutes). Total travel time is roughly 4–5 hours including transfers and waiting.
From Nagoya or Haneda Airport
JNTO’s route from Nagoya involves the Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka, then the Minobu Line and bus. From Haneda Airport, travelers take the train to Shinagawa, then the Shinkansen to Shizuoka before connecting to the Minobu Line and bus. Scripps News describes the total journey time from Tokyo as approximately three hours, though this likely refers to the driving distance rather than public transit.
Driving and taxis
Booking-site reviews on Kayak warn that the isolated location makes rental cars and taxis more difficult and expensive than at urban Japanese hotels. A rental car offers flexibility, but drivers should be comfortable on narrow mountain roads.
Location
What is the cost of a stay at Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan?
No official published tariff for 2025–2026 is available from the sources gathered. However, three data points give a price range.
Live Japan reports a starting rate of ¥25,300 per person for two people sharing a room, which includes room charge, breakfast, service fees, and tax. This is a per-person rate, meaning a couple would pay approximately ¥50,600 total per night at the entry level.
Booking-site data shows higher figures. Expedia displayed a starting price of $372 (including taxes and fees) for one night for two adults on a sample date in October 2026. Kayak reported average weeknight rates of $459 and average weekend-night rates of $552.
What the rate typically includes
Based on the Live Japan report, the starting rate includes the room charge, breakfast, service fees, and consumption tax. Many ryokan operate on a half-board basis, with dinner and breakfast included. It is not definitively confirmed from available sources whether all meal plans are included in every rate tier.
Private onsen costs
Kayak mentions that the property offers private baths, but no pricing for private onsen rental was found in the gathered sources. Most ryokan either include public bath access in the room rate or charge a separate fee for private bathing. This detail should be confirmed with the property at booking.
What is the oldest active hotel in the world?
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan holds the Guinness World Records title as the world’s oldest continuously operating hotel — a designation awarded in 2011. The record is based on the property’s documented operating history since 705 CE, verified against Guinness’s criteria for continuous hospitality service.
Why it holds the record
The property’s 1,300-plus-year run as a hot-spring inn — not a single building, but a continuous hospitality operation on the same site — is what qualifies it. As the Japan National Tourism Organization notes, it is “officially certified as the world’s oldest hotel” based on this legacy. The inn’s baths remain open 24 hours a day, a direct link to the onsen tradition that has drawn guests for centuries.
Comparison with other ancient hotels
Other old hotels in Japan include Hōshi Ryokan (Ishikawa Prefecture, founded 718 CE) and Dōgo Onsen Honkan (Ehime Prefecture, a historic bathhouse rebuilt in 1894). Both are respected for their heritage, but only Keiunkan holds the Guinness record for continuous operation. The distinction matters: the record is about uninterrupted service, not building age.
Current operations
The inn continues to welcome guests today. It operates as a traditional ryokan with tatami-floored rooms, Japanese meals, and onsen bathing. Guest reviews on platforms like Kayak describe the experience as centered on tranquility, natural setting, and attentive hospitality — mixed with occasional notes about the property showing its age in places.
Timeline of key events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 704 CE | Keiun era begins, giving the inn its name |
| 705 CE | Traditional founding of Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan |
| 708 CE | Keiun era ends |
| 1909 | Major fire reported at the property |
| 1916 | Second major fire reported at the property |
| 1925 | A large rock destroys one building |
| 1997 | Inn entirely remodeled |
| 2011 | Guinness World Records recognizes Keiunkan as world’s oldest hotel |
Alternatives to consider
If the travel logistics or price point of Keiunkan don’t fit your plans, these alternatives offer similar Japanese onsen or heritage accommodation experiences.
- Hōshi Ryokan (Awazu Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture) — Founded in 718 CE, it claims to be the second-oldest hotel in the world after Keiunkan. A traditional ryokan with a strong family management tradition, though it does not hold a Guinness record.
- Dōgo Onsen Honkan (Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture) — A historic public bathhouse dating from 1894 on a site with onsen use stretching back centuries. Famous as the inspiration for the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
- Gora Kadan (Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture) — A luxury ryokan in a more accessible location, about 90 minutes from Tokyo by train. Higher price point but easier access and a refined onsen experience with mountain views.
Who should stay at Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
Based on the research gathered, this property is best suited for:
- History buffs who want to visit a Guinness-certified site with 1,300 years of continuous operation.
- Onsen enthusiasts who prioritize natural hot-spring bathing and don’t mind a multi-hour journey to reach the source.
- Luxury experience seekers comfortable with traditional ryokan hospitality — tatami rooms, kaiseki-style meals, and attentive service.
- Travelers already exploring Yamanashi Prefecture who can combine the visit with other regional attractions.
The remote location and access logistics mean this is not an ideal choice for a quick stopover or for travelers with limited mobility unless car transport is arranged in advance.
“The Keiunkan hot spring hotel, nestled by the Hayakawa River, was in 2011 recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest hotel.”
— Official Travel Guide Yamanashi, official regional tourism publisher
Related reading: Rendezvous Hotel Review: Ownership, Rates, and How It Stacks Up Against World’s Best · Hotel New Hankyu Kyoto Review: Location, Ratings & Amenities
mundoamerica.com, tripadvisor.com, scandinaviastandard.com, en.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of a stay at Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan?
Published sources show a range: Live Japan (2022) reports a starting rate of ¥25,300 per person for two sharing, including breakfast. Expedia listed $372 for two adults on an October 2026 date. Kayak reports average weeknight rates of $459. All figures are from third-party sources and date-dependent; direct booking rates may differ.
How do I make a reservation at Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan?
Reservations can be made through hotel booking sites such as Expedia and Kayak, or potentially through the property directly. Live Japan notes that reservations typically require advance booking, especially during peak travel seasons.
What is ryokan vs onsen?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn featuring tatami rooms, futon bedding, and Japanese hospitality. An onsen is a hot spring — a natural geothermal bath. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is a ryokan built around an onsen, offering both traditional accommodation and hot-spring bathing.
Is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan still open today?
Yes. The inn has operated continuously since 705 CE and continues to welcome guests. Its Guinness World Records designation as the world’s oldest hotel remains current as of 2025.
How many generations have run the hotel?
Scripps News reports 52 generations of family management. However, the current ownership and management structure has not been independently verified from a primary source in the gathered materials.
What are the bath hours?
The Yamanashi tourism guide states that the baths are open 24 hours a day, allowing guests to soak at any time.
What other old hotels exist in Japan?
Hōshi Ryokan in Ishikawa Prefecture (founded 718 CE) and Dōgo Onsen Honkan in Ehime Prefecture (historic bathhouse rebuilt 1894) are two notable examples. Neither holds a Guinness record, but both are respected for their heritage.
Sources
- Guinness World Records — Oldest hotel record and 705 CE founding
- Official Travel Guide Yamanashi — Location, history, 1997 remodeling, spring details
- Japan National Tourism Organization — Access routes, Tokugawa Ieyasu as historical guest
- CNN Travel — Founder, fires, building history, room layout
- Scripps News — 52 generations, 37-room claim, travel time estimate
- Live Japan — 22 rooms, check-in/out times, starting rate ¥25,300/person
- Kayak — Bath descriptions, pricing averages, review summaries
- Expedia — Starting price $372 for two adults on sample October 2026 date