Hotel R9 The Yard Omura (Nagasaki) - How Good Is It Actually?

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I’m headed to Nagasaki for a quick day-trip, and while researching where to stay, a budget-friendly “Container Hotel” immediately caught my eye.

With independent, modular rooms and dedicated parking spots, it sounds like the perfect choice for roadtrippers travelling through Omura and Nagasaki. But what exactly should you expect from a container hotel, and is it worth the visit? Let’s get to it! How Good is Hotel R9 The Yard Omura Actually?

–Reservations & Pricing–
–Hotel Overview & Room Types–
–Checking-In–
–Light Meal Voucher–
–Double Room Overview–
–Bed Area–
–Desk Area–
–Fridge & Microwave–
–Light Meal Mini-Review–
–Nearby 7-11–
–Room Hallway–
–Bathroom Area–
–Verdict–
–Getting There–

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📋 Reservations & Pricing 📋

As Hotel R9 is one of Japan’s largest hotel chains, you can book rooms via most major hotel booking platforms. Alternatively, you can also book through their site, but you’ll have to navigate a mostly-Japanese page to do so.

Prices will vary by season, but on average, you’re looking at an impressively affordable US$45-85 per night!

Check out Hotel R9’s prices and support me through my Affiliate Link! It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I’ll receive a small commission that helps me create more content just like this!

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🏠 Hotel Overview & Room Types 🏠

Upon arrival, you’ll quickly notice that the hotel is essentially just a parking lot with tons of shipping containers and car parking spaces.

Inside those containers, you’ll find a fully decorated, fully functional hotel space designed similarly to a budget-to-mid-range business hotel.

For room types, the hotel features just two types to choose from: Double Room for a double-sized bed, and Twin Room for two single beds.

As Hotel R9 is located on the edge of Omura’s downtown area, the hotel is designed primarily for travellers visiting Omura/Nagasaki by car – with one private parking spot in front of every room.

You don’t need to have a car to stay, of course, but do note that this Hotel R9 is located about a 20 minute walk (through a residential area) from the nearest metro station. Walkable, but can be a bit awkward to navigate if you arrive later in the evening when there’s not many street lights.

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📋 Checking-In 📋

You’ll find the hotel reception – also in a shipping container – right by the entrance.

Checking-In is relatively simple. Present your booking information to the staff (or their check-in tablet), get your room passcode, and you’re good to go!

Don’t forget to grab some amenities while you’re there (comb, razor, toothbrush, body towel, cotton buds), as well as some tea/coffee.

And to cover all of our bases, Check-In time is at 3 P.M., and Check-Out is at 10 A.M. Do note that check-ins close after 11 P.M., as the lobby will be closed for the night.

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🍱 Light Meal Voucher 🍱

Also upon check-in, you’ll receive a Light Meal Voucher to redeem during your stay.

Your options are between: Chicken & Burdock Bento, European-Styled Curry, Mapo Eggplant Bento, Beef Pilaf, and Stir-Fried Udon.

Not the most protein-heavy options in the world – hence “Light Meal” – but it’s a very nice touch to the overall hotel experience. Details on the dishes I chose below!

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🏠 Double Room Overview 🏠

I got their Double Room today, and once inside, you really can’t tell that you’re in a shipping container – minus the occasional swaying if you shake or jump around too heavily.

At 12m², the room is around the same size as some other budget/business hotels in Japan – though I did find this particular layout slightly more spacious than its competitors.

Some other notes: carpet floors, great WiFi, no issues with the room’s soundproofing, and there’s a small frosted window by the desk area for some (optional) sunlight.

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🛏 Bed Area 🛏

The Double Bed’s mattress and blanket are quite good. The bedframe is positioned a little lower to the ground than what I’m used to at home – but that’s not too uncommon in Japan from my experience.

The room also features a single fluffy, down-style pillow.

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💻 Desk Area 💻

As the other main area of the room, the Desk Area features all the essentials you could reasonably want: work desk, office chair, power outlets, and a desk lamp.

Also an air purifier & humidifier over on the side, should you want to use it.

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🍱 Fridge & Microwave 🍱

For ‘kitchen appliances’, there’s a kettle, a medium-sized fridge with separate freezer compartment, and a microwave (an uncommon and highly welcome addition!)

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🍱 Light Meal Mini-Review 🍱

The Curry Rice and Fried Udon was what I got today. And after around 4-5 mins in the microwave, here are my quick impressions:

The Curry Rice features a tomato-based thickened curry, rice, pickled ginger… and that’s about it – no meat as far as I can tell. Taste-wise, it’s tomato-forward, but your standard Japanese curry flavors.

The Udon is a stir-fried mix with some veggies: green onions, carrots, onions, and bean sprouts, plus a little bit of pork mince. The flavors of the bean sprouts were quite heavy, but overall mild-tasting.

Overall, it’s decent. Great to have, but not something I’d classify as a full meal experience.

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🏪 Side Note: Nearby 7-11 🏪

Since there’s a microwave in the room, I immediately looked up the nearest convenience store to grab something to eat (since everything nearby was closed by the time I checked-in.) Luckily, there’s a 7-11 about a 5 minute walk from the hotel – or a quick 1 minute by car.

For my late dinner today, I bought some frozen Katsudon and Gyudon, alongside some ice cream for dessert. (plus some beef/potato Korokke from Family Mart earlier.)

I should consider reviewing some convenience store foods sometime, but today’s selection was quite good overall. The Tonkatsu’s batter/crumbs were on the thick side (per frozen meal standards), but not much to complain about otherwise.

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🏠 Room Hallway 🏠

The room’s hallway leading up to the door is decently spacious, and I was able to lay my luggage flat and fully open without any trouble.

You’ll also find a mirror, clothes spray, slippers, and a shoe horn.

And by the walls, a mounted clothes rack. The width leaves something to be desired since there’s no closet here, but it does serve its purpose.

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🛁 Bathroom Area 🛁

Standard Japanese hotel bathroom in both size and function – small, but compact.

The shower area features a shower/tub area with shower head and bathtub spout. Can be a bit small if you’re planning to chill out in the tub – but works well otherwise.

And despite the small-looking shower head, the strong water pressure makes up for it very well.

The bathtub spout also doubles as the sink faucet.

And on the other side of the room, a Japanese-style toilet with an electronic bidet.

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⭐VERDICT⭐

So how good is Hotel R9 The Yard Omura actually? Honestly, the ‘Container Hotel’ novelty factor already makes this place worth a visit – let’s get that out of the way. Looking past that, it’s still a really great place, featuring everything you’d expect in a mid-range Japanese business hotel. And with private parking spots right in front of every unit, the journey from car to bed is a frictionless 20-second experience!

I will note that without a car, the hotel might be a bit difficult to get to if you’re not familiar with Omura’s local bus lines. But if I ever do a roadtrip around the area, this would 100% be my hotel of choice.

So if you’re looking for a hotel with a very unique concept at a budget-friendly price, then Hotel R9 The Yard Omura is the way to go!

Check out Hotel R9’s prices and support me through my Affiliate Link! It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and I’ll receive a small commission that helps me create more content just like this!

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🚗 GETTING THERE 🚗

Hotel R9 The Yard Omura is located towards the northern edge of Omura’s downtown area, around 10 minutes by car from the city center.

Via metro, your closest station is at Omura-Sharyokichi Station, where the hotel is around a 20 minute walk through a residential area. The lack of street lights at night can make it a bit awkward, but I’m sure it’s a nice walk during the day.