Stay at One of the Oldest Inns in the World

Enjoy a choice of six baths, fine kaiseki cuisine and views of Japan’s Southern Alps at Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring, Keiunkan.

There’s no better—nor more Japanese—way to relax than to stay at a hot spring deep in the mountains. Located on the banks of a river near the Southern Alps, a vast mountain range spanning the three prefectures of Nagano, Yamanashi and Shizuoka, the Koshu Nishiyama Hot Spring, Keiunkan takes authenticity and relaxation to a whole new level.

Founded in 705, the inn is officially certified as “the world’s oldest hotel” by Guinness World Records. Over its 1,300-year history, the inn has hosted famous warlords, merchants, and scholars, with Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan’s first shogun, as its most prestigious guest. In other words, you can genuinely expect to “live like a lord” during your stay here.

Keiunkan has four outdoor baths (including two small private ones you can rent) and two indoor baths, all with magnificent views to enjoy as you soak. Dinner is kaiseki cuisine, featuring multiple artfully presented small dishes served on beautiful tableware. The Koshu beef, which melts in the mouth, is a highlight.

The Japanese-style suites and rooms feature interesting touches like private outdoor baths made entirely of cypress or moon-viewing platforms—the perfect place for you to compose a haiku.

Keiunkan offers an impressive view of Mount Kita, Japan’s second highest peak after Mount Fuji at 3,193 meters, and is a great base from which to explore the Southern Alps. Most of all, though, the inn is an excellent place to experience the Japanese art of hospitality, refined over more than a thousand years.

Access: From Shinjuku Station, take the JR Limited Express to JR Kofu Station (about 1 hour and 30 minutes), then the JR Minobu Line to JR Minobu Station (about 1 hour and 30 minutes). From there, take the bus for Narada and get off at Nishiyama Hot Spring-mae (about 1 hour and 30 minutes).

From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line to JR Shinagawa Station (about 20 minutes), then the Tokaido Shinkansen Bullet Train to JR Shizuoka Station (about 1 hour and 20 minutes), followed by the JR Minobu Line to JR Minobu Station (about 1 hour and 30 minutes). Finally, take the bus for Narada and get off at Nishiyama Hot Spring-mae (about 1 hour and 30 minutes).

From Nagoya, take the Tokaido Shinkansen Bullet Train to JR Shizuoka Station (about 1 hour), then take the JR Minobu Line to JR Minobu Station (about 1 hour and 30 minutes). Finally, take the bus for Narada and get off at Nishiyama Hot Spring-mae (about 1 hour and 30 minutes).