R9 The Yard Hitachinaka Hotel

The hotel is right along the national highway, but it’s quiet. There’s a KFC next door, so I took some food back and heated it in my room’s microwave. They don’t sell alcohol, so it’s a good idea to buy some beforehand. The front desk staff are very polite, the rooms are clean, and it’s ideal if you like staying on your own.

The free parking was the best part. You can come and go as you please, and there’s a super public bath nearby where I could relax. I was in Ibaraki for an event and found this much more affordable than the area’s business hotels, with well-equipped facilities. The only letdown was a bit of a smell from the toilets. Maybe it was the septic tank?

I had a comfortable two-day stay in a private room, so I didn’t run into other guests or have to worry about noise. I’d stayed at another R9 hotel before, but this was my first stay in one for a while. Breakfast seems to have changed from two frozen rice balls to a set meal, with rice and side dishes you can choose from five options. There’s a microwave in each room, so I got rice and coffee from the front desk and ate in my room. 2025.11/6.7

I expected the place to be small, but the bed was comfortable, and they provided frozen lunch boxes. It was clean and comfortable, and I could have as much coffee and tea as I wanted.