As it is written the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest hotel even now in operation is the Hoshi Ryokan, in Komatsu,  Japan which you may not imagine but opened as early as in 718. The hotel has been run by the exact same family for  over forty generations.

The origins of Houshi, the oldest inn in the world are truly divine. According to legend in 717 a noted priest Taicho climbed  high up Mount Hakusan, a sacred and separated mountain. While Taicho was asleep one night after beginning his tough training exercises, the God of Hakusan turned up while sleeping.

He made him go to a village named Awazu as an underground hot spring lay there hidden with amazing powers. The men and women of the village did not know of the good fortune. After dreaming Taicho went back to to the village and uncovered the treasure that laid underneath the earth’s surface. Afterwards the priest ordered his disciple to build and operate a spa at the scene.

Generation after generation, Houshi entrepreneurs got the name Zengoro Houshi. The first Zengoro guided Taicho Daishi to the top of Mt. Hakusan. Several people undergoing illnesses visited the spa built. People started to make donations. He then used these funds todevelop the services he offered.

Currently the hotel offers dozens of rooms and can accommodate up to 450 guests. Visitors are received with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. For relaxation, guests can walk through the conventional Japanese gardens or wear a kimono,  provided for their usage after soaking in either the indoor or outdoor hot springs.

The hotel rooms have been rented by members of the Imperial Family and are used continuingly for movies and television shows.

If you want to experience Japanese conventional and historical hospitality, then Hoshi Ryokan is the place to be and go through more intriguing articles in our Siofok hotel blog.