Local Information
Access to Tsukuba Center/Station (for overseas participants)
The most convenient airport to arrive is
the Narita International Airport.
From there you should take a Limousine Bus
to Tsukuba Center/Station. It takes
100 minutes. No transfer. The fee is 2,540 JPY.
Specific information on limousine bus can be found at
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/bus/index.html.
For return trip:
Seat reservation is required. You should buy a ticket at the Kantetsu
Kanko office in the Tsukuba Center by the day before your departure.
The office is open between 8:30 and 19:00.
Tsukuba Center
| 600
| 700
| 850
| 1040
| 1220
| 1335
| 1435
| 1550
| 1735
|
Terminal 2
Terminal 1
| 740
745
| 840
845
| 1025
1030
| 1215
1220
| 1355
1400
| 1510
1515
| 1610
1615
| 1725
1730
| 1910
1915
|
Access to hotel from Tsukuba Center/Station (for invited speakers)
The hotel is located just in front of North Exit of Kenkyu-Gakuen
Station, which is the next to Tsukuba Station
in the Tsukuba Express (TX) line.
There are three types of trains: Rapid, Semi-rapid and Local.
You should take the Semi-rapid or the Local train, NOT the Rapid one.
Check the access map in http://www.hotel-bestland.co.jp/en/.
Access to CCS from Tsukuba Center/Station
Take a local bus bound for "Tsukuba Daigaku Chuo" or "Tsukuba Daigaku
Junkan, Migi-Mawari" from Bus Stop #1
and get off the bus at "Dai-Ichi Area Mae".
It takes about 10 minutes.
You will find the CCS just across the street, which is a three-floor
building covered with wine-red color tiles.
The following site is very helpful:
http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/access/tsukuba_access.html.
Access to Tokyo
We are pleased to inform you that the Tsukuba Express (TX) line,
which connects Tsukuba with Akihabara in Tokyo in 45 minutes,
was open on August 24, 2005. Tsukuba Station locates underground.
The fare to Akihabara is 1,150 JPY.
Detailed descriptions are given by
http://www.mir.co.jp/english_guide/index.html
Another way to access to Tokyo, which is out-of-date
and less recommended, is to take the highway bus from University of Tsukuba
to Yaesu-Nihonbashi Entrance of Tokyo Train Station via Tsukuba
Center/Station and Ueno Train Station
(Please keep in mind that you should take the bus at Yaesu-Minami
Entrance when you return to Tsukuba.)
It takes 110−130 minutes depending on the traffic.
No reservation required.
You have to buy a ticket from the bus driver or
at vending machines (if available).
The fare is 1,150 JPY for one way.
Five coupon tickets are available for 4,800 JPY.
More details are found at
http://www.kantetsu.co.jp/bus/highway/center/center.html
(only in Japanese).
Hotels nearby Tsukuba Center/Station
Climate
The weather in Tsukuba during the workshop is still cold
with the average high temperatures at
12 degrees Centigrade (54 degrees Fahrenheit) and average low
temperatures at 0 degrees Centigrade (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
It is the end of winter rather than early spring.
Electric power
The supply voltage of the electric power is AC100V
and the shape of the power outlet in Japan may be different from yours.
Participants who want to use their own computer or other electric devices are advised to bring plug adapters.
Safety
While Tsukuba is quite safe, you should refrain from exploring out of
the way locations at night alone or in small groups.
The domestic emergency numbers are
110 for police and
119 for ambulance and fire.
Payment
Cash is still the most popular way of payment in Japan.
Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, major stores and
restaurants. Traveler's check in Japanese Yen or U.S. Dollars
must be exchanged for cash at authorized banks or major hotels.
Personal Checks are NOT common in Japan.
City map