Nishiyama Onsen Ended Fifty-Two-Generation Ownership

Japan's Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest hotel, is no longer family-owned after more than 1,300 years under the same lineage. Founded in 705 by Fujiwara no Mahito, the hot spring inn passed through 52 generations of the family, including adopted heirs. In 2017, no relative wanted to inherit the business, so general manager Kenjiro Kawano became its president. Because Kawano could not inherit the family's holding company, ownership moved to the newly formed Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan Limited.

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