Living in Tsukuba

A research and academic city where over 160 research and education institutions, including the University of Tsukuba and JAXA, gather. It is an international neighborhood where foreign researchers and international students make up about 5% of the population (more than twice the national average), and its strengths are a shopping mall connected directly to the station and the widely laid-out streets of a planned city. However, since it is the TX terminus, you have to accept around one hour each way for a daily commute to Tokyo.

Tsukuba is Ibaraki Prefecture's largest research and academic city, at the terminus of the Tsukuba Express (TX). With 300 research institutions plus the University of Tsukuba and JAXA, there are many foreign researchers. The fastest TX service reaches Tokyo in 45 minutes, but with only one line, a car is essential if you are far from the station. It is a good fit for researchers, foreign researchers, and families raising children who want a large home.