Keeping it in the family: Inside the Japanese hotel that has been run by 46 generations of the same family... for 1,300 years

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Houshi Ryokan is an inn in Japan that has been run by the same dedicated family for the last 1,300 years.

It opened in the Ishikawa prefecture in 718 and, since then, 46 generations of the Houshi family have looked after it. 

It is the oldest family-run business still operating in the world and very nearly the oldest hotel in operation. 

The Houshi Ryokan inn first opened in 718 according to historical documents

The hotel, which is still a popular tourist bolthole today, can be booked through JapaneseGuestHouses.com

A short documentary 'Houshi' has been made about the family currently running the hotel after disaster struck in 2013 when the oldest son died.

Tradition has so far dictated that only the oldest son may take over the business, but Zengoro and his wife Chizuko Houshi only have one daughter now, named Hisae.

The short film is directed by German photographer Fritz Schumann and features interviews with each of the three members of the family.  

Zengoro says, 'Since I was born and first cried, everyone told me I would take over the Houshi Ryokan.'

He describes growing up in such a bucolic setting and that he 'loved rooms in which [he] could play hide and seek.' 

It is the oldest family-run business still operating in the world and very nearly the oldest hotel in operation

Zengoro entered an arranged marriage with Chizuko 50 years ago and he is the 46th generation to be at the inn's helm.

Houshi Ryokan has hundreds of rooms and can sleep up to 450 people. On arrival each guest is greeted with tea and given a Yukata – a traditional Japanese cotton Kimono - to wear to induce relaxation and set the tone for the rest of the stay.

Zengoro says: 'Only one thing hasn't changed: Houshi’s hot spring has always been flowing. But other things have changed a lot.

We used to have parties every day and many hostesses and geisha would come. Now most of our guests are families.' 

A short documentary 'Houshi' has been made about the family currently running the hotel after disaster struck in 2013 when the oldest son died

Tradition has so far dictated that only the oldest son may take over the business, but Zengoro and his wife Chizuko Houshi only have one daughter now, named Hisae

Unsurprisingly, the hotel was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest hotel in the world in 1996, although that honour has since been given to another property that was discovered to be even older.

‘A Buddhist monk built a temple on Mount Hakusan,' says Zengoro in the documentary. 'He was our first ancestor, therefore we believe in Buddhism. He adopted a boy and named him Zengoro. All my ancestors took this name.'

As well as a proud and strong ancestry, there is much history of heartache. After Zengoro's oldest son died suddenly in 2013, the family has been in a state of flux and Zengoro is hoping his daughter, Hisae, will step up to the plate.

Houshi's hot spring has always flowed, throughout the many centuries the family has been in residence

The hotel was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest hotel in the world in 1996

She says, 'There were times that I wished I hadn’t been born as a member of Houshi. Before I started working at Houshi Ryokan I graduated university and worked as a doctor’s secretary. I was learning what I was interested in.'

She has now taken on many of her late brother's duties and is feeling the pressure. 

‘I have many unimaginable responsibilities now and it is a heavy burden on my mind. ‘

'I think I’m a weak person but people close to me think I’m a mentally strong person. I’m often crying.'

Hisae has yet to marry and who she or her parents help chose for her will be pivotal for the businesses future. Whatever happens next, keeping the inn going is the family's priority.

‘Losing our son brought us into the worst emotional situation' says Zengoro, 'but everything is changing around us so we have to follow it.’  

'To keep the hot spring and the hotel running youngest daughter is the right person to do it.'

‘We will be waiting for her.’