Hoshi ryokan, the oldest hotel in the world.

Taicho Daishi was one of the most influential monks in the history of Japanese Buddhism. According to many historical records, after climbing Mount Hakusan, he dreamt that a mountain deity spoke to him about a miraculous source of new life, like spring, existing beneath the village of Awazu. Following the dream, the monk immediately traveled to Awazu. There, with the help of the villagers, he discovered a miraculous hot spring with the ability to cure all ailments.

The story of the miraculous spring water quickly spread far and wide. The monk Taicho personally guided people on how to use the hot water to restore their health. Many foreign tourists also traveled long distances to the miraculous spring, hoping that this divine water could cure their illnesses. As the number of visitors increased, the monk Taicho ordered his disciples to build Hoshi ryokan to serve the accommodation needs of travelers from all over the world. To this day, the hotel has been in operation for 1,300 years, with 46 generations of the same family running it.

After numerous renovations and expansions, Hoshi ryokan now boasts 100 spacious rooms with a capacity of approximately 450 people. The entire structure is built entirely of wood, with a traditional Japanese style of interior design. Despite its ancient and long history, Hoshi ryokan is also very comfortable. It's not simply a hotel, but also a place that preserves the beauty of Japanese culture, architecture, and daily life from the past. The magical hot spring water flowing beneath the village of Awazu is also an essential feature in every room at this hotel.

Today, Hoshi has become an ideal tourist destination in the land of cherry blossoms. It is famous worldwide for its ancient architecture and its warm spring water, which helps people forget their stress and worries as they immerse themselves in the beautiful nature, feeling as if spring is filling their souls.

Huong Thao