In the Edo period, many came from Edo to visit Shinshō-ji Temple. The only way to get there was by walking a path over 60 km long. As a result, lodging along the road became necessary. People would walk until dark, stop at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) and start heading towards the temple again first thing in the morning.

However, in the Meiji era, a railroad was built between Tokyo and Narita, and the situation changed completely. One of the reasons for the spread of the custom to pray at a temple or shrine during New Years was due to the development of railways. In times when there were no trains, people would just carry out the custom at a temple or shrine near their homes. People couldn’t have been bothered to go out of their way to a famous location.

After this development, one could now visit Shinshō-ji in a single day, so the demand for inns has decreased. Many of the ryokan became diners or souvenir shops. This Ōnoya Ryokan or the next door Umeya Ryokan are what remains of a long line of large inns that used to populate the omotesando.

Ōnoya Ryokan was established in the Edo period, but the current building you see in front of you was built in 1935. On the roof is an observation tower, which is a rather Japanese touch. According to rumor, if you eat a certain dish, you will be allowed to climb up to the observation deck.