Keiunkan

Comentarios destacados

• GenkiSudo1

  28 julio 2018
  Extraordinary experience, service and food.

  This was our 11th family trip to Japan (familyx4) and on each trip we 'lash out' and factor in one '$high-end$' ryokan/onsen for a night during our stay. I initially chose Keiunkan as it holds the flag as officially the 'Oldest Hotel In The World' - founded and run continuously by the Fujiwara family since 705AD! But don't let this be the decider as it's really Keiunkan's remote location in a deep, absolutely stunning valley of the Minami Alps on the picturesque Hayakawa river that is it's greatest asset followed closely by Keiunkan's amazing service, warm and friendly hospitality - and OMG the food! The many course Kaiseki meals were just amazing especially all the cuts of Wagyu presented and the hostesses very attentive. Our room was huge and directly overlooking the stunning blue, rocky, babbling Hayakawa river just below - we opened all the windows to listen to the sounds of the river/forest all night and watched deer come down to forage by the river right in front of our room. Keiunkan is very difficult to get to without a car - which is a good thing. There are no towns anywhere nearby, no tourists, no buses, no services - and virtually no traffic apart from the occasional worker from the Hydro power station way up the valley. Of all the ryokans we've ever stayed at in Japan over the years Keiunkan is THE one we will definitely return to again and again in the future - lets just hope it's never, ever 'discovered' and ruined by all the hordes of 'those' noisy overseas tourists.

  

• ChrisMoger

  10 octubre 2019
  An Experience of A Lifetime

  We stayed in the end of June, beginning of summer. It's actually quite an easy reach - if you already got used to Japan train network - but was time consuming. We missed our train connection and therefore missed our booked free shuttle to the hotel leaving at 13.40. We have to wait a few hours for the public bus - bound for Narada - which only comes once in 2 hours. We hopped on 16.45 and paid ¥1,000/adult. Our 4-year old was free. The free shuttle from the hotel will take about 1 hour while the bus will take about 90 minutes due to frequent stops and detours. We took the free shuttle when we leave, departed at about 10am. The journey - bus and shuttle - were nice as the view was beautiful. The welcome was warm, we were given some drinks. The seating area was spacious. They have 6 onsens (hot bath/hot spring) on the 1st floor and the 4th floor, outdoor and indoor, occasionally gender based, but it's a low season and we can choose any onsen we want and enjoyed it as family. The bath was so relaxing that we didn't even bother to take photos. Our 4-year old daughter especially loved it that she had several baths during our stay. The room was traditional but clean and gave a luxury feeling. It's right at the bank of Hayakawa river. The beds/futon - made up when we're having dinner - were comfortable, we had a very good sleep. As it's located in the middle of nowhere, the breakfast and the dinner were included in the room price. The food was amazing and the presentation was beautiful. They're local grown and from nearby river. I don't remember the names but they tasted wonderful. The service and hospitality were also top notch - as most Japanese - treated us like king and queen. Overall, it's an experience of a lifetime. We were so happy that we took the chance to stay here. As it's expensive, we had to make some priorities on our itinerary and left the others for our next visit to Japan. No regret in making this one as our top one.

  

• kiddofox

  25 noviembre 2019
  As authentic as it can get!

  We're traveling with another couple and were searching for an onsen but could not come to an agreement. Then we tumbled upon Nishiyama Keiunkan and so glad we're able to visit this historic gem, Guinness World Record's longest standing inn found in 705 A.D. Reservation is made through japanican and it's legitimate. Getting here in and of itself is a journey as we had to have the executive staff at Hilton Shinjuku call to confirm and help us with direction on how to get there by train (staff at Keiunkan speaks mainly Japanese). If you time yourself well (leave at least 1 hr from the time of arrival at the last train station), you will be able to catch the complimentary once a day shuttle to the hotel. It departs around 1 o'clock. We started early but not too early as we're able to catch breakfast before the Hilton shuttle bus took us to the JR Shinjuku station departing for JR Kofu. We then transferred to the last station, JR Minobu. We still had about 1 hour or so so we head it directly across the station to a soba noodle shop have some tasty soba and ramen. There's a cheap noodle stand inside the small station but it since it does not have air condition, it's better to go across the street and be able to sit down and relax while waiting for the shuttle bus to come. After winding through the beautiful Akaishi Mountains range (the rocking of the shuttle bus winding through the narrow alleys lying at the foot of the mountains put us to sleep btw after about 15 min into it) for about 1 hr, we arrived and were greeted by a welcoming and attentive staff who had already prepared our slippers to change into. It seems that as the inn has limited number of room, staff are well prepared in anticipation of guests coming to this remote but legendary inn. We're brought to the main "lobby" area where we're served with fresh towels and refreshing drinks while the staff came to us to check us in (the lobby thought is in dust pink and it appears like you're stepping back into history-it could use an upgrade since the last time it was done so was about 20 years ago). After we had a peak at view of the ravines running along the inn, and no "hordes" of tourists and no tour bus around us, we knew it would be a perfect relaxing two days. Each family was assigned a staff who would take us to our room with our name written on the front door and go over everything with us, from the belt of our yukata to how it would fit each of us to our meals to the different hot springs, hours the separate bath would change to men v. women, etc.) Our room is quite spacious for 2 adults and 2 teenagers with a separate sitting area where we would lie, lounge, read and relax amidst the soothing sound of the river below. We unpacked and couldn't wait to head to the onsen. There're 6 different different hot springs, 2 indoors and 4 outdoors. The 2 indoor and 2 out door public baths will switch at around 7 or 8 p.m. to be come men and the other women and then switch back at 7 or 8 a.m. For the 2 private baths, reservation must be made upon checking in and the staff will make sure that each guest will have access to the private baths. We love the fact that the onsens are opened 24 hr and it's never crowded. After we freshened up, we were so ready for dinner. Though we had some expectations about the Mountain Kaiseki meals, we did not expect that every dinner and breakfast, a menu is prepared and printed for each guest with their name on it. Every dinner and breakfast, staff is fully prepared and our table is always ready once we arrive. Every day, we would look forward to our sumptuous meals with no less than 20 different dishes and served to perfection. Most guests seem to stay one night (arrive for dinner and leave after breakfast) and arrive by car so perhaps that's why there's no Kaiseki lunch. We're lucky enough to stay here 2 nights and had made to order lunch brought to our room instead. After breakfast, we headed to the hanging bridge (turn off by the post office) while our kids headed off to the ravines below where they played with water and skipped rocks. We did a small walk around the area and just absorbed in the tranquility of this beautiful place and can't imagine how magnificent it is in the fall and winter. After lunch, we played mahjong (awesome electric mahjong table in the resting room) and then played karaoke (the karoke room could be better well kept as we see cigarette butts and trays not cleaned), then headed to dinner and back to the onsen again. It was one of the most relaxing time of our very busy and hectic life. Alas, all good things must come to an end. We thank the wonderful staff who maintain this historic inn and took great care of their guests and the awesome chefs who make those sumptuous Kaiseki meals. We would love to come back one day during the fall or winter and would recommend this not to be missed gem wholeheartedly to our friends and family. Just a note that the inn's gift shop has some great collection of noodles and snacks not found else where (including those awesome chopsticks where we could not find in Kyoto or other chopstick shop so was so glad we got it from here). The gift shops by the train station also has some good selection of snacks, noodles, etc. local to this region.

  

• MylaAbejaron

  06 diciembre 2019
  Amazing Experience!

  This place by far is one of the best places Ive stayed. It was very unique and remained authentic. The food was amazing and the views from our room was gorgeous! I highly recommend staying here and I look forward to coming back.

  

• pgia4868

  24 diciembre 2020
  What a place

  I have stayed at so many onsen hotels but this one is truly unique. My wife and I were the only non Japanese guests, the place felt very authentic and The hotel is very isolated and is a long drive from the train station. When we arrived at the train station there was a hotel bus ready to pick up passengers who may be guests at the hotel, so very convenient! The hotel staff were very attentive, despite not being used to many non Japanese guests. My wife and I were the only foreigners and the place was so authentic we felt like we were sent back into the past. Rooms are very large, old style tatami and sliding doors with their own router to maximise wifi. The onsen baths, both indoor and outdoor, were incredible. There was the option to take private outdoor bath as well, which provided great views of the misty mountains the hotel was set amongst. Its a huge hotel with a very dated but clean appearance. Its nice to just explore the corridors, which were mainly empty when i stayed. Dinner was really nice with all local ingredients used to prepare the elaborate menu. One of the staff members had all the dishes names written down on a paper in English so she could read it out to me, which was a nice touch. Easy to see how this hotel has survived well over 1000 years! I will definitely return.