Established in 705 C.E., the Keiunkan Nishiyama Onsen in Hayakawa, Japan, holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest hotel. It has been run by the same family for over 1300 years. The 35-room hotel is in a picturesque locale, sitting in the midst of a number of hot springs and encircled by mountain.
‘Onsen’ means ‘hot spring’ in Japanese. The hotel was built by Fujiwara Mahito, the son of an aide of the-then reigning emperor. It was once patronized by leading samurai (warriors) and well-known shogun or warlords, who were attracted by the healing powers of the mineral water. Today, the place is a magnet for tourists who come from all over the wold, both to bask in the serene natural beauty and to admire the graceful architecture.
Fifty-two generations of the founding family have managed the hotel down the centuries and they have gradually expanded and modernized it while retaining the original structure.
The hotel is also aiming for another record, the world’s most productive hot spring that pumps over a thousand litres of naturally heated water per minute.
Picture Credit : Google