A Japanese inn is older than Rus. Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has been taking guests since 705 — 157 years before the Varangians were invited to rule — and Guinness lists it as the world's oldest hotel.
The events
- Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan opensc. 705 · Hayakawa, Yamanashi. The hot-spring inn in the Yamanashi mountains was founded in 705, and by family tradition 52 generations of one lineage have run it. Guinness World Records lists it as the oldest hotel still in operation.
- Calling of the Varangiansc. 862 · Novgorod. According to the Primary Chronicle, Slavic and Finnic tribes invited the Varangian Rurik to rule over them. Chronicle tradition dates the beginning of Rus' and of the Rurikid dynasty, which ruled for over seven centuries, to this event.
More amazing facts
- 672 The recipe for Greek fire was guarded so well that it was lost for good.
- 683 · 1968 The 'Palenque astronaut' is a dead Maya king.
- 690 In all of Chinese history only one woman ruled as emperor in her own right.
- 692 Japan's holiest shrine has been torn down and rebuilt every 20 years since 692.
- 695 · 705 Byzantine emperor Justinian II had his nose cut off in 695 so he could never rule again.
- 753 · 762 Staraya Ladoga and Baghdad are near-contemporaries and trading partners.