Keiunkan is an inn that has stood the test of time. It is registered in the Guinness World Records as "the hot spring inn with the longest history in the world."
The inn was founded in 705 AD. In terms of the era name, this was during the Keiun era, the fifth year after the Taika era. The inn's name is also derived from the era name. Perhaps it would be easier to convey the weight of its history if we said that it was founded five years before the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo and 15 years before the compilation of the Kojiki. The current owner is the 53rd generation.
To get to Keiunkan, head up the Southern Alps Highway along the Hayakawa River from the Minobu area. After passing through steep valleys and several tunnels, a modern Japanese-style building suddenly appears in the deep forest. When you arrive, everyone says, "We've finally made it!"
Although it may be a long journey, the hotel is awaiting me with a wonderful hot spring that flows straight from the source and will help me forget my fatigue. My heart is filled with anticipation.

Running through Hayakawa-cho is the Fossa Magna, which divides the Japanese archipelago into east and west. The four hot springs, which have been nurtured over the years underground in this great rift valley and spring up naturally without ever drying up, have nurtured the history of the inn. These famous hot springs have been loved by people of the capital, such as Fujiwara no Masato (Kamatari's eldest son), whose name is remembered in the history of the hot springs, as well as by Shingen and Ieyasu.
As part of a commemorative project marking the 1,300th anniversary of the inn's founding, the hot spring was excavated and discovered a natural spring with a temperature of 52 degrees and a flow rate of over 1,600 liters per minute (about 8 drums), the largest in Japan. When combined with the existing spring source, this amounts to about 2,000 liters of water per minute. At Keiunkan, the water flows freely without adding water or heating, not only for the six types of baths, but also for the guest room baths, hot water, and showers. The water is colorless and transparent, highly alkaline, and has excellent skin-beautifying properties. Drinking the spring water is also effective against digestive disorders and diabetes.

On the fourth floor is the open-air bath "Bokei no Yu," which is the face of Keiunkan. The bathtub is made of Japanese cypress, which has a unique fragrance and a pleasant texture, and the hot water overflows. You can also relax by listening to the murmuring of the Hayakawa River and the breeze blowing across the river.
On the top floor there is the observation bath "Hinoka-no-yu" and the stone-built "Sekifu-no-yu." As the building is located on the mountainside, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the natural surroundings.
The bathtub at Hika-no-Yu is made of ancient cypress that has roots that have been there for over 2,000 years. The hot spring water blends in with the bathtub and provides a comfortable feeling.
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere of the deep mountain valleys while soaking in a riverside hot spring, try the stone bath "Keiryu Open-Air Bath Hakuho-no-Yu" or the private open-air stone baths "Kawaoto" and "Seoto," which can accommodate groups of up to 15 people. The bath at Hakuho-no-Yu is made of Hakuho stone mined in the Hayakawa River basin, and turns a deep blue when hot water is poured over it. This is also a product of the Fossa Magna.

For the meal, enjoy the "Miyama Kaiseki" course, handmade using the finest Japanese cuisine, by the chef, who won the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award in the local cuisine category of the National Japanese Cuisine Competition.
Keiunkan where you can enjoy a variety of dishes that do not use any seafood and are made using the seasonal bounty of the mountains and rivers. Everything from fish paste to mayonnaise is made entirely by hand, and eight different types of salt are used depending on the dish.
The Koshu beef, which is purchased in its entirety, is the highest grade A5 and has been awarded gold medals consecutively. The "Koshu beef lava-grilled" is a true masterpiece, grilled on lava from the second station of Mt. Fuji. You can experience its deliciousness whenever you visit.
All guest rooms are equipped with outdoor baths and indoor baths that have natural hot spring water, and are purely Japanese in style. The rooms are designed with great care to respect Japanese traditions.

The special guest room "Kitadake" with an open-air bath with natural hot spring water is a luxuriously spacious space consisting of a gorgeous 16 tatami room, a stylish 8 tatami room, and an antechamber. The fragrant open-air bath made entirely of cypress will also take you to a state of ecstasy. After bathing, head to the wooden deck moon-viewing terrace. You can enjoy a blissful time watching the valley and the nature on the opposite bank from the best angle.
The natural environment repeating the cycle of the four seasons and the hot springs bubbling away endlessly... It is lovely that nothing has changed in the last 1,300 years. My sense of travelling takes me back in history.