HōshiA traditional Japanese hostel in Komatsu, Japan, has the distinction of being the second oldest hotel in the world – and “the oldest family business still leading the world”. Built in 718 AD, Hōshi has been exploited by the same family for 46 consecutive generations. Allow them. 46 generations.
Japan is a country with deep traditions. And when you were born in a family who is the guardian of an institution of 1,300 years, you find yourself struggling with problems that most of us cannot imagine. This is especially true when you are the daughter of the Hōshi family, a modern woman who wants to free herself from tradition. And yet, solid history and family expectations continue to remind you.
The story of Hōshi Ryokan is telling in a short documentary above. He was filmed in 2014 by the German filmmaker Fritz Schumann.
Note: a previous version of this article appeared on our site in April 2015.
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