Hotel hospitality to travellers have been a feature of the earliest civilizations. In Greco-Roman culture and ancient Persia, hospitals for recuperation and rest were built at thermal baths. Japan's Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, founded in 705, was officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel in the world. During the Middle Ages, various religious orders at monasteries and abbeys would offer accommodation for travellers on the road. The precursor to the modern hotel was the inn of medieval Europe, possibly dating back to the rule of Ancient Rome. These would provide for the needs of travellers, including food and
Asamushi Onsen Asamushi Onsen Asamushi Onsen () is the site of a hot spring, in Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It was developed as the downtown beside the onsen town and is sometimes known as "Atami in Tohoku" after the famous Atami Onsen in mid-Japan. According to tradition, the hot spring was discovered by Ennin in 876, during the Heian period. It was first used for steaming ("mushi") hemp (Cannabis or "asa"), leading to the name, though the "kanji" character used for the name differs. When Hōnen visited in 1190, he popularized the custom of bathing in the hot spring. During