Nishiyama Hot Spring Yamanashi Prefecture Complete Guide | The Charm of the World’s Oldest Inn and a Secret Spa with 1300 Years of History
Nishiyama Hot Spring, located deep in Hayakawa Town, Minami-Kofu District, Yamanashi Prefecture, is one of Japan’s oldest hot springs, boasting a history of approximately 1,300 years since its opening. Nestled at the confluence of the Hayakawa Gorge and Yugawa River, this hidden hot spring resort is home to “Keiunkan,” recognized by Guinness as the world’s oldest inn, and continues to captivate many hot spring enthusiasts with its abundant hot water volume and beautiful gorge scenery. This article provides a detailed explanation of everything about this renowned hot spring, from its history and water quality to access methods and accommodations.
History and Origins of Nishiyama Hot Spring
A 1,300-Year Story Beginning in the Keiun Era
The history of Nishiyama Hot Spring dates back to Keiun 2 (705 AD). Legend has it that Fujiwara Masato came to this area to hunt, and discovered hot water gushing forth vigorously from between the rocks in the river. Since this discovery, Nishiyama Hot Spring has continued to provide comfort to countless people throughout the ages as a hidden hot spring nestled deep in the Hayakawa Gorge.
This hot spring, which has continued since the Nara period, is said to be one of the oldest hot springs in Yamanashi Prefecture alongside Shimobe Hot Spring. During the Sengoku period, it is said that warlords including Takeda Shingen used it as a therapeutic hot spring to heal their wounds. Throughout its long history, Nishiyama Hot Spring developed as a center of hot spring therapy culture and continues to preserve this tradition to the present day.
Guinness Recognition of Keiunkan, the World’s Oldest Inn
“Keiunkan,” which represents Nishiyama Hot Spring, was formally recognized by Guinness in February 2011 as the “world’s oldest hot spring inn.” This inn, which has been protected by the same family line for 52 generations since its opening in 705 AD, is a living history of Japanese hot spring culture and lodging culture.
Inside the inn, there is a historical materials room called “Keiunkan no Horoichi” (Keiunkan’s Footpath) where valuable materials conveying the long history and hot spring therapy culture are displayed. The fact that it continues to operate after more than 1,300 years is highly regarded both domestically and internationally as the highest example of the succession of Japanese traditional culture.
Water Quality and Efficacy of Nishiyama Hot Spring
Spring Water with Japan’s Highest Natural Discharge Volume
The greatest feature of Nishiyama Hot Spring is its overwhelming volume of hot water. It boasts Japan’s highest natural spring discharge of approximately 1,635 liters per minute, with a source water temperature of 52 degrees Celsius. Thanks to this abundant water volume, Keiunkan achieves completely unadulterated source spring water throughout the entire inn, with all guest room baths, large public baths, and water supply filled with fresh spring water.
The completely unadulterated source spring water without any added water, heating, or circulation maximizes the original efficacy of the hot spring and provides visitors with a genuine hot spring experience. This luxurious use of hot water is a charm unique to Nishiyama Hot Spring, made possible only by abundant spring discharge volume.
Characteristics of Water Quality and Health Benefits
Nishiyama Hot Spring is classified as alkaline simple hot spring water. This hot spring, characterized by its clear, colorless appearance and soft texture, is also known as “beauty water.” Alkaline spring water gently removes old dead skin cells and makes skin smooth, making it particularly popular with women.
Main benefits include neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, motor paralysis, joint stiffness, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, hemorrhoids, chilled constitution, post-illness recovery period, fatigue recovery, and health promotion. As shown by its history of use as a therapeutic hot spring, it is a hot spring with excellent effects for healing physical and mental exhaustion.
Hot Spring Facilities and Charm of Keiunkan
Enjoying Gorge Beauty at Six Different Baths
Keiunkan has six distinct baths, each designed to fully enjoy the Hayakawa Gorge scenery. Each bath operates on a gender rotation system depending on the time of day, allowing guests to experience various types of baths during their stay.
The observation open-air bath “Bokei no Yu” (Viewing the Gorge Bath) has recently been renovated into a modern, serene interior and is gaining popularity as a spectacular open-air bath overlooking the gorge. The ever-changing appearance of the Hayakawa Gorge through the four seasons as viewed from this elevated vantage point is truly spectacular.
The riverside open-air bath “Hakuho no Yu” (White Phoenix Bath) features a newly established cave bath and infrared sauna using local Amahata slate. In the cave bath, visitors can enjoy the hot spring in a mystical atmosphere, and the infrared sauna uses Amahata slate, a local specialty, to warm the body from its core.
There are also other baths such as the large public bath “Keiunkan no Yu” and “Shinyama no Yu,” each with their own unique designs. Visitors can refresh their body and mind while enjoying the various baths. Being able to enjoy completely unadulterated source spring water at all baths is a luxury unique to Nishiyama Hot Spring with its abundant discharge volume.
Sauna and Cold Bath for the “整う” (整える -整える) Experience
Some of the baths at Keiunkan are equipped with saunas, making it possible to experience the “整う” (整える) effect by combining hot springs and saunas. By repeating cycles of hot spring, sauna, and cold bath while feeling the clear mountain air, a deep relaxation effect can be obtained.
The sauna experience in a natural setting allows one to forget the hustle and bustle of the city and is optimal for physical and mental detoxification. The source spring water bath after the sauna is exceptional, and the synergistic effect of the hot spring and sauna further enhances fatigue recovery.
Beauty of Japanese Architecture and Charm of Guest Rooms
Refined Space of Pure Japanese Style
Keiunkan is known as a pure Japanese-style hot spring inn that brings together the beauty of Japanese architecture. The interior of the inn, constructed using traditional wooden building techniques, showcases craftsmanship throughout and creates a refined atmosphere.
The lobby has recently been renovated with a modern, serene interior that successfully harmonizes traditional beauty with contemporary comfort. Large windows reveal the Hayakawa Gorge scenery, inviting guests into a non-ordinary space from the moment of check-in.
Diverse Room Types
Various types of guest rooms are available, allowing guests to choose based on their travel style and number of people. All guest rooms have unadulterated source spring water, allowing guests to enjoy fresh hot spring water anytime in their private space.
Guest rooms facing the gorge offer views of the natural beauty of the Hayakawa River changing through the four seasons, and are particularly beautiful during the autumn foliage and fresh greenery seasons. The time spent soaking in the hot spring in the guest room while listening to the murmur of the stream is truly a moment of bliss.
Shinyama Kaiseki and Local Cuisine
Shinyama Kaiseki Carefully Selected by the Head Chef
Another enjoyment of staying at Nishiyama Hot Spring is the “Shinyama Kaiseki” prepared by the head chef using carefully selected ingredients. Hayakawa Town is a particularly nature-rich area in Yamanashi Prefecture and is blessed with mountain and river delicacies.
The Shinyama Kaiseki features dishes prepared using seasonal ingredients such as wild vegetables, river fish, and game from the local area. Menus that highlight the flavors of each season present different faces depending on the time of visit, offering new discoveries no matter how many times you come.
Tasting Local Specialties of Hayakawa Town
Hayakawa Town is known for unique local specialties including Nishiyama Hot Spring, one of Japan’s three major mineral springs, as well as Amahata slate and Hayakawa game. The cuisine occasionally features game dishes such as venison and wild boar hunted by local hunters, allowing guests to enjoy the bounty of the mountains that cannot be tasted in urban areas.
Meals are served in private rooms or dining halls where guests can leisurely enjoy them in an elegant atmosphere. The pairing with local sake is excellent, and enjoying the mountain cuisine alongside Yamanashi’s finest sake is exceptional.
Access and Transportation Information
Reaching a Hidden Village in 2 to 3 Hours from the City Center
Although Nishiyama Hot Spring is located deep in Hayakawa Town at the southernmost tip of Yamanashi Prefecture, it is surprisingly easy to access from the urban center. As the catchphrase “reaching a hidden village in 2 to 3 hours from the city center” suggests, it is close enough to visit even on a day trip.
Access by Car
By car, it takes approximately 50 minutes from “Shimobe-Hayakawa IC” on the Chubu-Odan Expressway. After exiting the IC, you travel via national roads and gradually enter deeper into the mountains. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Hayakawa Gorge, making the drive itself part of the travel experience.
When setting the destination on GPS, searching for “Nishiyama Hot Spring Keiunkan” or the address “Yunoshima, Hayakawa Town, Minami-Kofu District, Yamanashi Prefecture” will be reliable. During winter, there is a possibility of snow and icing, so studless tires and carrying chains are recommended.
Access by Public Transportation
Using public transportation, it takes approximately 70 minutes by taxi from “Minobu Station” on the JR Minobu Line. Minobu Station is accessible in approximately 2.5 hours by express train from Shinjuku Station from the Tokyo direction, and is also accessible from the Nagoya area.
Taxi fares are approximately 10,000 yen one-way, but shuttle services may be available if arranged with the inn in advance. If used by multiple people, the per-person cost is also reduced. While access by public transportation takes more time, the travel experience of slowly heading to a hidden village while enjoying the scenery from the train window is also exceptional.
Nearby Tourist Attractions and Ways to Enjoy Them
Natural Beauty of Hayakawa Gorge
The area around Nishiyama Hot Spring is known as the gateway to the Southern Japanese Alps and is a precious area where pristine nature remains. The Hayakawa Gorge displays beautiful scenery throughout the seasons—fresh green in spring, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter—and is also popular as a spot for nature photography.
Walking trails are also maintained along the gorge, allowing visitors to enjoy leisurely strolls. A walk in the clear air filled with negative ions is optimal for refreshing body and mind along with the hot spring.
Culture and History of Hayakawa Town
Although Hayakawa Town is a small town with a population of around 1,000 people, it has unique culture and history. Amahata slate is known as one of Japan’s three greatest slates and is highly regarded as a traditional craft. There are also slate-making workshops in town, and there are facilities where visitors can observe and experience slate-making.
Additionally, Hayakawa Town is a member of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Japan” association, and the region retains strong characteristics of traditional mountain village landscapes. Enjoying cultural experiences unique to this region alongside the hot spring is also recommended.
Accommodation Plans and Service Information
Basic Accommodation Plans and Rates
Keiunkan’s basic accommodation plans start at 66,000 yen per person (tax included) for one night with two meals. This rate includes use of the completely unadulterated source spring water hot spring, Shinyama Kaiseki dinner and breakfast, and hot spring use in guest rooms.
Rates vary depending on the season, day of the week, and room type, but considering the accommodation experience at the world’s oldest inn, the luxury of completely unadulterated source spring water throughout the building, and the carefully selected cuisine, the pricing is quite reasonable.
Reservation Method and Precautions
Reservations can be made through the official website as well as major reservation sites such as Jalan.net, Rakuten Travel, JTB, and Ikyu.com. Early reservations are recommended, especially for weekends, holidays, and autumn foliage season.
A parcel delivery service is available for lodging guests. For details on facility services and the latest information, it is recommended to confirm at the time of reservation. Be sure to check the cancellation policy in advance.
Day-Trip Hot Spring Bathing
Keiunkan is basically exclusively for lodging guests, and day-trip bathing is often not accepted. Those wishing to enjoy Nishiyama Hot Spring on a day trip are advised to contact the facility in advance.
Points to Consider When Visiting Nishiyama Hot Spring
Optimal Time to Visit
Nishiyama Hot Spring offers different charms throughout the year and can be enjoyed year-round. Particularly recommended times are as follows:
Spring (April-May): Fresh greenery is beautiful and mountain vegetable cuisine can be enjoyed. The way the gorge’s greenery deepens day by day is spectacular.
Autumn (October-November): The autumn foliage season is when Nishiyama Hot Spring is most vibrant. The entire gorge turns red and yellow, and viewing the foliage while soaking in the hot spring is exceptional.
Winter (December-February): Hot springs in snowy landscapes have charm, and visitors can fully experience the atmosphere of a hidden hot spring enveloped in silence. The experience of warming a chilled body in the hot spring is a pleasure unique to winter.
Convenient Items to Bring
Being in a mountain location, the following items are convenient to bring:
- Seasonal outerwear (especially in winter)
- Comfortable walking shoes for strolls
- Camera (for photographing gorge scenery)
- Medications (as there are no nearby pharmacies)
- Books for reading (to leisurely spend time in a quiet environment)
Tips for Enriching Your Stay
To maximize enjoyment of your stay at Nishiyama Hot Spring, it is important to schedule with plenty of time. Arrange early check-in and late check-out to leisurely savor the hot spring and nature.
To enjoy multiple baths, confirm available bathing times in advance and plan hot spring tours strategically. Also consider activities unique to a nature-rich environment, such as early morning walks and nighttime stargazing.
Media Coverage and Evaluation
Attention in Domestic and International Media
Since Keiunkan’s Guinness recognition as the world’s oldest inn, it has been featured in numerous domestic and international media outlets. It has been covered in television programs, travel magazines, newspapers, and other media, and is highly regarded as a facility representing Japanese hot spring culture.
The number of international tourists is also increasing, and it has become an important hub for inbound tourism as a valuable place to experience Japanese traditional culture and hot spring culture. English-language guidance is also well-equipped, providing a safe environment for foreign travelers to use.
User Reviews and Reputation
Ratings on various reservation sites are high, with particularly excellent evaluations regarding hot spring quality, cuisine deliciousness, and staff hospitality. Comments such as “the unadulterated source spring water is wonderful,” “a refined inn full of history,” and “the cuisine exceeded expectations” are frequently received.
On the other hand, some point out weak cellular signal due to the remote mountain location and few nearby tourist facilities. However, these are characteristics unique to a hidden hot spring and are actually well-received by travelers seeking digital detoxification.
Conclusion: Experiencing Blissful Hours at Nishiyama Hot Spring
Nishiyama Hot Spring in Hayakawa Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, is a unique hot spring resort boasting 1,300 years of history, the world’s oldest inn, Japan’s highest spring discharge volume, and completely unadulterated source spring water throughout the building. Despite its relatively accessible location of 2 to 3 hours from the city center, it offers the atmosphere of a genuine hidden mountain hot spring.
A stay at Keiunkan becomes a special experience transcending an ordinary hot spring vacation. Surrounded by the beauty of Japanese architecture, soaking in high-quality completely unadulterated source spring water, savoring Shinyama Kaiseki prepared with local ingredients, and being healed by the natural beauty of the Hayakawa Gorge. There is an ideal hot spring experience where Japanese traditional culture and nature are in harmony.
Why not take a journey to Nishiyama Hot Spring, stepping away from busy daily life to experience time flowing slowly, refreshing both body and mind? The hot spring culture nurtured over 1,300 years of history and the unchanging spirit of hospitality will warmly welcome all who visit.
