General Information:
From Awazu Onsen in the Hokuriku region of Japan, we at Houshi welcome you to our home page. We've a lot to tell you about as our history dates back to the year 718-some 1300 years ago-when our hot spring is said to have burst forth from the earth. That's a lot of pleasurable bathing and relaxed minds and bodies. Houshi Ryokan has been owned and run by the same family for 46 generations so far, and its famous hot springs have been refreshing and revitalizing its patrons for no less than 1291 years making it the world's oldest hotel.

Additional Information:
Garyoism is the spirit of Garyo, and for 46 generations it has welcomed visitors to Houshi. Generation after generation, Houshi proprietors have borne the name Zengoro Houshi. The first Zengoro was Garyo Houshi, the second son of Gengoro Sasakiri, who guided Taicho Daishi to the top of Mt. Hakusan. Many people suffering from illnesses of one kind or another visited the spa built by Garyo Houshi, and he welcome them from his heart. People began making donations to the magical spa and to Garyo Houshi for his services. He then used these funds to expand the services he provided. The number of visitors to the spa gradually increased and the hotel grew. The present proprietor is the 46th Zengoro and with him the traditions of Garyoism live on.