About
Nestled in the deep mountains of Hayakawa Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture, Keiunkan quietly stands in a corner of Nishiyama Onsen, boasting a history of 1,300 years. It is said that in 705 (Keiun 2), Fujiwara Mahito, the eldest son of Fujiwara no Kamatari, discovered boiling hot water bubbling up by the Yukawa River while hunting, and thus opened the hot spring. Since then, Keiunkan has been blessed with a never-drying natural hot spring source, and has continued to be loved by people from the capital, famous generals, and literary figures. (keiunkan.co.jp)
Around the inn, the clear stream of the Hayakawa River creates a gentle murmur, and the beautiful scenery of the valley changes with each season. In spring, fresh green buds sprout; in summer, the deep greenery brings coolness; in autumn, the mountains are colored with autumn leaves; and in winter, the snowy landscape brings tranquility. You can fully enjoy these changes in nature from various places in the inn.
Keiunkan’s hot springs have four naturally gushing sources, and the spring quality is sodium-calcium sulfate-chloride spring (hypotonic alkaline high-temperature spring). This famous hot spring, nurtured underground for many years in the Fossa Magna that traverses the Japanese archipelago, supplies all baths and hot water in the entire building directly from the source without recycling. (keiunkan.co.jp)
Inside the inn, there are six types of baths, each with its own unique atmosphere. For example, the open-air bath “Bokei no Yu” on the fourth floor uses a tub made from fragrant Koyamaki wood, allowing you to fully enjoy a sense of unity with nature while feeling the pleasant breeze over the river and the murmur of the Hayakawa River. At night, you can spend a magical moment as if the sky is filled with countless stars. (keiunkan.co.jp)
The guest rooms are purely Japanese-style, exuding the charm of sukiya architecture. All rooms are equipped with baths that flow directly from the hot spring source, allowing you to enjoy the changing seasons of the Hayakawa and Yukawa valleys along with the gentle sound of the stream. You can relax at your leisure, feeling as if you are embraced by the mountains. (keiunkan.co.jp)
Meals feature “Shinzan Kaiseki,” which makes use of the blessings of the deep mountains in each season. You can savor the beautiful traditions of Japanese cuisine, with arrangements of river delicacies such as yamame and iwana trout from the mountain streams, local wild vegetables, and other river and mountain delicacies unique to the Southern Alps. (yamanashi-kankou.jp)
In 2011, Keiunkan was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “world’s oldest hot spring inn.” Throughout this long history, it has cherished its hot springs, heartfelt cuisine, and spirit of hospitality, continuing to provide visitors with a relaxing time. (keiunkan.co.jp)
If you visit this place, you will be able to experience a history that transcends 1,300 years, the beauty of nature, and heartwarming hospitality. Keiunkan is truly a blissful space woven from Japanese tradition and nature.