In 2023, Nikko Kanaya Hotel will celebrate its 150th anniversary. It is the oldest existing resort hotel in Japan, and is said to have helped Nikko become known worldwide, and is a registered tangible cultural property.

This time, while introducing the annex ROYAL HOUSE, which was renovated to celebrate its 150th anniversary, we will once again introduce the footprint and charm of the Nikko Kanaya Hotel.

The oldest existing resort hotel in Japan, which started as an accommodation facility for foreigners.

In the early Meiji period, Western culture began to rapidly penetrate Japan. Kanaya Hotel began as a lodging facility for foreigners opened by a young man living in Nikko.
Dr. JC Hepburn, an American missionary doctor known for his ``Hepburn Romanization'' in the early Meiji period, visited Nikko and found out that he was in trouble without a place to stay, so he offered his home to Zenichiro Kanaya, a gagaku performer at Toshogu Shrine. Met. Dr. Hepburn was moved by the space and hospitality and encouraged Zenichiro to open an inn for foreigners, and in 1873, Zenichiro opened Kanaya Cottage Inn.

British female travel writer Isabella Bird also visited here in 11. In her book, Unbeaten Tracks in Japan, published in 1880, she praised Kanaya Cottage Inn as well as her charms of Nikko. At that time, people did not know how to welcome foreigners, but the Kanaya family's heartfelt hospitality can be said to have been the catalyst for introducing Nikko, Japan, to the world.
In 1893 (Meiji 26), the current full-fledged Western-style hotel, Kanaya Hotel, was opened.

Be enchanted by the quality and service created by the passage of time.

As you go up the steep slope near the vermilion Shinkyo Bridge over the Otani River, you will see the Nikko Kanaya Hotel, a chalk building, right in front of you. There is the main building in front of you, the recently renovated annex on the right called ROYAL HOUSE, and a new building and a second new building.

When you step into the main building through the revolving door at the front entrance, your eyes will be drawn to the bright red carpet, the architecture and sculptures reminiscent of shrines and temples, and the many historic furnishings.

The founder of this place has close ties to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, so there are sculptures of the famous ``Sleeping Cat'' and ``Imaginary Elephants,'' which were carved at a time when there were no elephants in Japan. The cafeteria (main dining room from the Meiji era) has many works of art reminiscent of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, such as the stunning coffered ceiling of flowers, birds, wind, and moon.

The wall next to the lobby is decorated with photos of past guests' guest books, and there are autographs from famous people such as Helen Keller, Albert Einstein, former American president Dwight Eisenhower, Hideki Yukawa, and Shigeru Yoshida. Just by taking a short walk around the hotel, you will be instantly overwhelmed with the history and the time and memories that many people have spent here.

The Nikko Kanaya Hotel has survived over 150 years of history, but it has actually been expanded many times. Of particular interest is the construction method used to change the building from two stories when it was founded to its current three-story structure. Surprisingly, the building was not extended upwards, but instead dug underground and expanded downwards. There are various theories as to why this was done, but it is easy to imagine that it was a major construction project. After hearing this story, if you take a closer look at the structure of the first and second floors, you will see that the construction materials are indeed different. Also, the main dining room on the second floor has round and square pillars, but the space for the round pillars was added during the Meiji era, and the square pillars were added in the Showa era. That's what I say. This is truly a museum, having survived the trends of the times while being carefully protected.

The 150th anniversary year begins and new history is written

Speaking of Nikko Kanaya Hotel, it is also a key player in spreading Western food culture to Japan. It is always crowded with tourists who want to enjoy the traditional menu unique to Kanaya Hotel in this historic space.
Currently, to commemorate the 150th anniversary, they are holding a ``Nikko Kanaya Hotel 3th Anniversary Dinner'' based on the menu that was actually served in 150. Homemade caviar hors d'oeuvres, consommé royale, which has been served since 29, and a fish dish with sautéed red trout in a sauce made with butter, soy sauce, and sugar, all of which are traditional dishes passed down from successive head chefs. It consists of food.

The biggest topic in the 150th anniversary year is the renewal of the annex. It can be said that it has been renewed to suit the needs of modern travel. The three-story building is equipped with an elevator, something that was not available before. Some of the guest rooms have been expanded to create spaces designed to accommodate a wide variety of guests.

Additionally, the water area and newly designed wallpaper have been completely redesigned. At the same time, the building has been reborn as the ``Annex ROYAL HOUSE'', a perfect fusion of retro and modern, while retaining the lighting and doors that were once beloved.

Depending on the room, you can enjoy a pleasant view of the rich greenery of Nikko, the Otani River, the stately main building, or the well-kept garden. When you step into this space, you can understand why it has been loved by so many people for so long. This is one of the hotels you should visit to experience the best service and time nurtured by history.

Image provided by: Kanaya Hotel Co., Ltd.