Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan (西山温泉慶雲館) is a hot spring hotel in Hayakawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Founded in 705 AD by Fujiwara Mahito, it is a long-established business ("shinise") as the oldest hotel and perhaps the oldest independent company in operation after Kongō Gumi was acquired in 2006. In 2011, the hotel was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel in the world. History. The Keiunkan lies at the foot of the Akaishi Mountains. Since its foundation, the hotel has had all its hot water sourced directly from the local Hakuho Springs. It has been continuously  operated by 52 generations of the same family (including adopted heirs) for over 1,300 years. The onsen was created by Fujiwara Mahito, son of an aide to the 38th Emperor of Japan, Emperor Tenji. Upon its creation, the healing waters of the springs became widely popular in Japan. Takeda Shingen and Tokugawa Ieyasu were among the onsen's historic guests. The hotel underwent a major renovation in 1997 but preserved the traditional architectural style of the original onsen. In 2005, private, free-flowing hot spring baths were added to every room. Between 2000 and 2016, the hotel's reservations dropped  by nearly 50%. In 2017, the inn's holding company Yushima created the company Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, transferred ownership of the inn to this company, and Yushima was dissolved the following year. Description. The hotel has 37 rooms, a "kaiseki" restaurant, and a moon-viewing platform. As of 2019, all rooms and facilities of the hotel have free and password free Wi-Fi. Tatami mats and classic art furnish the rooms. The staff wear (two piece) kimono. The hot baths' machinery pumps 1,000 liters of naturally heated water per minute and there are plans to double that capacity. The hotel  features public and private hot spring baths (onsen). Two private ones are on the first floor and two public ones are on the fourth floor. The entrance and lobby is on the third floor.