Kanaya Hotel History House

The Kanaya Hotel History House (金谷ホテル歴史館, Kanaya Hotel Rekishikan) is a historic site that offers a glimpse into the past of Nikko. Originally a residence of Mr. Kanaya, it became a guesthouse in 1872, known as the Kanaya Cottage Inn. It welcomed notable guests like Albert Einstein and travel writer Isabella Bird, who helped introduce Nikko to the Western world. The house, a two-story wooden building, is now open to the public and allows visitors to explore tatami rooms, stairways, and a beautiful garden.

The Kanaya Hotel, located on a hill above the Shinkyo Bridge, has become Japan's oldest Western-style hotel. However, its history traces back to the Kanaya Hotel History House, which served as the original location. When Nikko became a popular summer resort for foreign diplomats and businessmen in the post-isolation era, the Kanaya Hotel became a prominent destination. Visitors to the house today can enjoy the historical ambiance and appreciate the significance of the building to the region’s development.