HOTEL R9 Kujukuri

The staff were helpful, and the room was very clean. It’s close to the beach, with some restaurants nearby.

The barbecue dinner was a lot of fun, and there was plenty of high-quality meat in a good variety, all tender. Seafood and vegetables rounded it out, though the staff could have done a better job explaining how to use the grill and mentioning that rice came with the meal. We had to ask about it. The hotel kindly put together a small osechi-like breakfast for guests staying on Dec 31, and included a small bottle of nihonshu. Since guests might be driving, they let people take the bottle home to enjoy when they weren’t worried about a DUI, a smart touch. The hotel is right by the beach, and I’d like to return for more than one night. The staff were wonderful and the hospitality stood out. These shipping containers-cum-hotel rooms are a surprisingly successful idea. Rooms were comfortable and much more spacious than I expected, with temperature and humidity controls that kept them feeling just right. Amenities were good, though a few more hand towels would have helped. The with-pets option is a great idea, especially for a hotel catering to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics surfing competition. A really unique place to stay, and I’d definitely recommend it.

The beach is nearby, and this would make a lovely slow-paced weekend getaway. Breakfast was excellent. I’d definitely recommend booking early if you’re coming for the Kujukuri Triathlon. The maisonette container 'rooms' are super cute, especially with the jacuzzi tub, full kitchen, and living room. Kazusa Ichinomiya station is a bit far, maybe 4KM or so, so a bike, personal vehicle, or perhaps a cab would help.

A fun container boutique hotel in the heart of Ichinomiya, with some great surf spots an 8 min walk away.