The world’s oldest family-run inn, Hōshi Ryokan, is managed by the 46th generation!
Hōshi Ryokan is unquestionably a monument in the global hospitality industry, distinguished both by its excellent service and longevity. Founded in 718 in Awazu, a village on the coast of Japan, Hōshi is a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) whose gardens feature thermal baths fed by hot spring water. According to legend, a Buddhist monk miraculously discovered a hot spring with healing properties. He decided to dig the spring and appointed Garyo Hoshi as its guardian. Garyo Hoshi quickly transformed the medical establishment into an inn. Still owned by the family of the founder guardian, the family business is now run by the 46th generation Zengoro (owner descendant) Hajime Hoshi with the help of his wife Chizuko. They plan to pass the torch to their daughter Hisae who will be the first woman to take over the business in over 1300 years! The inn is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest hotel in the world and is the dean of the select club of Henokiens, an international association of some 40 multi-century family businesses. Today, Hōshi Ryokan has about 100 rooms combining tradition and modernity spread over four buildings surrounded by a Zen garden with its hot springs. In 2016, its Enmeikaku Pavilion¾a guest house dating back to the Meiji period that hosted members of Japan’s imperial family¾was declared as one of Japan’s “tangible cultural properties”. To continue the tradition of excellence and hospitality, the family business launched self-service stay packages with reduced rates in 2020. These innovative packages are designed to meet the new financial realities of customers in times of a pandemic. The Hoshi family wishes to open its doors to as many people as possible to offer wellness and relaxation experience in these troubled times.
Read the article: ‘World’s second-old hotel offers new self-service stays to cope during pandemic’
