Within the 1,300-Year-Old Japanese Inn Managed by the Same Family for 46 Generations
Japan is a nation rich in culture and steeped in history that persists to this day. A notable instance of this is Hōshi, a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) that has been operating for 1,300 years in the city of Komatsu. Established in 717, it is recognized as the world’s oldest continuously running family business and the third oldest hotel in Japan.
Since its inception, 46 generations of the Hōshi family have managed the hotel operations. The ryokan was created by a Buddhist priest named Taicho, who discovered a hot spring believed to possess healing properties. He then appointed one of his disciples as the spring keeper, which led to the establishment of an inn near the springs. Given that the ryokan’s origins predate currency systems, guests settled their bills with locally cultivated produce.
In the present day, the ryokan features two indoor and two outdoor hot spring baths. With 100 rooms, the family can accommodate up to 450 guests. Providing an experience of traditional Japanese culture, the inn welcomes guests with a tea ceremony and outfits them in a comfortable cotton kimono known as a yukata for relaxation after their baths. They also offer breakfast and dinner, highlighting many dishes made with local seafood. Room service is available as well. Their exceptional service has attracted visits from the Japanese Imperial Family, along with foreign politicians and celebrities.
Unfortunately, the building has faced several instances of damage and destruction due to natural disasters, but the family has consistently rebuilt it. Nonetheless, the garden and certain features have been around for over 400 years. Currently, a night at Hōshi costs about $180. While its longevity contributes significantly to its appeal, the owners have never considered this fact a marketing strategy to allure potential guests.
In 2014, visual journalist and author Fritz Schumann visited Hōshi to create a short documentary. The video showcases the traditions that are integral to this establishment—from arranged marriages to laws of inheritance. It particularly highlights the family’s eldest daughter and the weight of continuing the tradition after her elder brother’s death, which challenges long-standing customs. Overall, the short film reveals the real individuals behind a historical institution. “Only one thing hasn’t changed—Hōshi’s hot spring has always been flowing,” states the Hōshi patriarch. “But other things have changed a lot.”
You can view the documentary on Hōshi below.
This short documentary by Fritz Schumann provides insight into Hōshi, the oldest continuously operating family business in the world and the third oldest hotel in Japan.
Sources: [Houshi (english) by Fritz Schumann](https://archive.org/details/vimeo-114879061); [Hōshi: A Short Documentary on the 1300-Year-Old Hotel Run by the Same Japanese Family for 46 Generations](https://www.openculture.com/2025/04/hoshi-a-short-documentary-on-the-1300-year-old-hotel.html); [Oldest family business at Guinness World Records](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-hotel)
Related Articles:
[Artist Documents Her Stays At Different Japanese Hotels in Carefully Rendered Illustrations](https://mymodernmet.com/japanese-hotel-illustrations-kei-endo/)
[This Japanese Hotel Hosts Yoga Classes in Its Breathtaking Art Gallery](https://mymodernmet.com/hotel-gajoen-tokyo-yoga/)
[London Hotel Serves Afternoon Tea Featuring Cakes Inspired by Hokusai’s Iconic Woodblock Prints](https://mymodernmet.com/hokusai-inspired-afternoon-tea-rosewood/)
[Watch Japan’s Fastest Mochi Master Make the Traditional Delicacies at Lightning Speed](https://mymodernmet.com/mitsuo-nakatani-fastest-mochi-master/)