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
Kinugawa-Onsen Station Kinugawa-Onsen Station Kinugawa-Onsen Station is served by the Tobu Kinugawa Line, with direct services to and from Asakusa and Shinjuku in Tokyo, and is 12.4 km from the starting point of the line at . The station consists of two island platforms. The station opened on 17 March 1919 as . It was renamed on 19 March 1922, and Kinugawa-Onsen on 19 February 1927. From 17 March 2012, station numbering was introduced on all Tobu lines, with Kinugawa-Onsen Station becoming "TN-55". It was renumbered "TN-56" on 21 April 2017 ahead of the opening of Tobu World Square Station (TN-56) in