In the record of this hotel, it became the official hotel for the lord of Kisyu domain, one of 3 Tokugawa Shogun Families in 1703. So, Kinokuniya was a very old hotel of Tokaido Road. In 1716, they are given their name Kinokuniya and the owner of Kinokuniya became Samurai rank that allows them to carry Katana in 1745.

During the Edo period, Kinokuniya was one of the largest hotels of Araijuku. In 1874, the old building was burnt down and the current building was constructed. It has all the features of Edo style architectures.