Tsukuba has a new train that connects Tsukuba to Akihabara in 45 minutes. The train, called Tsukuba Express, started running on August 24, 2005.
The terminal station is called Tsukuba. The next station is called Kenkyu Gakuen, which means "research" and "university". Next is Banpaku Kinen Koen which means "Expo Memorial Park". The final stop in Tsukuba is Midorino or "green field". Miraidaira (future plains) is the station on the boundary between Ina and Yawara and the final stop in Ibaraki is Moriya. The train continues on through Chiba and Saitama before reaching Tokyo.
The Tsukuba Express train route does not have a single railroad crossing. No traffic is disturbed because of this new line. The platforms of the Tsukuba Express stations has barriers preventing anything from falling onto the tracks. When the doors of the train open, the barriers open to let people on and off the train. The train travels at speeds of up to 130km/hr. This makes it one of the fastest commuter trains into the Tokyo area. It reaches Akihabara in 45 minutes. The train runs almost automatically, generally requiring only one person to operate. All trains have 6 cars.
There are park and ride facilities at the new train stations in Tsukuba. Kenkyu Gakuen station has space for 605 cars, 300m west of the entrance. Banpaku Kinen Koen station has space for 51 cars, 250m south of the entrance. Midorino station has space for 202 cars, 300m south of entrance. Regular cars and yellow-plate cars can able to park in these lots for 100 yen per two hours up to 10 hours (500 yen for between 10 and 24 hours). Monthly passes are 5000 yen per month. People who have disabilities are given a discount.
Kenkyu Gakuen station has room for 138 bicycles, 140m west of the entrance. Banpaku Kinen Koen station has room for 174 bicycles, 60m north of the entrance. Midorino station has room for 192 bicycles, 130m north of the entrance. Bikes, motorized bicycles ("gentsuki"), and motorcycles under 250cc (no sidecars) can park in these lots for free.
The fares are based on a per kilometer rate. A basic ticket costs 160 yen (adult, one way) and discounts are available for monthly passes (commuting to work 40% or school 60%). You can buy books of tickets for savings on regular travel.
| No. | Station | Regular | Semi-Express | Express |
| 1 | Akihabara Station | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Shin Okachimachi Station | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Asakusa Station | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Minami Senju Station | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 5 | Kita Senju Station | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 6 | Aoi Station | 13 | -- | -- |
| 7 | Rokumachi Station | 15 | -- | -- |
| 8 | Yashio Station | 19 | 17 | -- |
| 9 | Misato Chuo Station | 22 | 20 | -- |
| 10 | Minami Nagareyama Station | 25 | 23 | 20 |
| 11 | Nagareyama Central Park Station | 28 | -- | -- |
| 12 | Nagareyama Otakanomori Station | 30 | 26 | 25 |
| 13 | Kashiwanoha Campus Station | 33 | 30 | -- |
| 14 | Kashiwa Tanaka Station | 36 | -- | -- |
| 15 | Moriya Station | 40 | 35 | 32 |
| 16 | Miraidaira Station | 45 | 40 | -- |
| 17 | Midorino Station | 48 | 43 | -- |
| 18 | Banpaku Kinen Koen Station | 51 | 46 | -- |
| 19 | Kenkyu Gakuen Station | 54 | 49 | -- |
| 20 | Tsukuba Station | 57 min | 52 min | 45 min |
Be extremely careful around the electrical lines and follow these rules.
Topics: Transportation
Relevant for: Tourists, Newcomers, Residents