Tsukuba Express (TX) つくばエクスプレス
Tsukuba Express train 1000 series (JLM)
Tokyo Transport: Tsukuba Express
Tsukuba Express: read a guide to the Tsukuba Express (TX) a high speed train between Akihabara Station in Tokyo and Tsukuba city, Ibaraki.
The Tsukuba Express is a high-speed train running 58km between Akihabara Station in Tokyo and Tsukuba in Ibaraki through Chiba, Saitama and Ibaraki prefectures north from Tokyo.
The train takes 45 minutes from Tokyo's electronics mecca of Akihabara to Japan's "Science City" of Tsukuba, passing through 20 stations - all Wi-Fi spots as are the high-tech carriages.
Connections
The Tsukuba Express connects with the Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tokyo subway and Chuo-Sobu Line at Akihabara Station. There are further connections with other railways in Tokyo at Shin-Okachimachi, Minami-Senju and Kita-Senju stations.
The Tsukuba Express also intersects with the JR Musashino Line at Minami-Nagareyama, the Tobu Noda Line at Nagareyama-otakanomori, and the Kantetsu Joso Line at Moriya.
Fares
The Tsukuba Express costs 1,190 yen for a one way journey between Akihabara & Tsukuba and runs four types of train: local (57 minutes; all stops), semi-rapid (52 minutes; 14 stops), rapid (45 minutes; seven stops) and Commuter Rapid which operates only during morning and evening rush hours. The Commuter Rapid makes 11 stops in between Akihabara and Tsukuba (49 minutes).
The line carries over 230,000 people daily and the rapid trains reach speeds of 130km/h.
Prepaid IC cards like the Suica and Pasmo cards can be used on the Tsukuba Express and the fare is slightly cheaper if you purchase a ticket using a smart card. TX does not accept the Japan Rail Pass.
The Tsukuba Express runs on an elevated track so there are no level crossings and each station is equipped with platform doors for safety. Blue signs lead to the platforms and yellow signs to exits.
Announcements
Announcements on the train are in Japanese and in English too. The next station is displayed on electronic boards in the carriages in both Japanese and English, with connecting lines also announced.
Women Only Carriages
The first car is reserved for women at certain times of the day: traveling to Akihabara from the first train of the day till 9 am and traveling from Akihabara to Tsukuba from 6 pm until the last train. Carriages can get crowded at most times of the day especially at rush hour and on rapid trains.
Schedule
The first Tsukuba-Akihabara train is 5.59 am and the last 11.14 pm; The first Akihabara-Tsukuba train is 5.30 am and the last 11.45 pm arriving in Tsukuba at 0.43 am.
The last three departures from Akihabara Station on weekdays are all locals to Moriya and depart at 11.57 pm, 0.09 am and 0.18 am.
The last three departures from Akihabara Station on weekends are all locals to Moriya and depart at 11.57 pm, 0.08 am and 0.18 am.
Tsukuba Express Stations
All 20 stations on the Tsukuba Express Line are:
0 KM - Akihabara Station
Akihabara Station is on the JR Yamanote Line, the Chuo-Sobu Line, the Keihin-Tohoku Line, and the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line of Tokyo subway.
1,6 KM - 0H02 - Shin-Okachimachi Station
Shin-Okachimachi Station provides access to the busy, colorful market district of Okachimachi - a must-visit for the bargain-hunter and fan of on-the-street shopping.
Shin-Okachimachi Station connects with the Oedo Subway Line.
Okachimachi Station on the Yamanote Line and Keihin Tohoku Line is a short walk away.
3,1 KM - 0H05 - Asakusa Station
Asakusa Station connects with the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Tobu Skytree Line.
5,6 KM - 0H08 - Minami-Senju Station
Minami-Senju is on the JR Joban Line and Hibiya Line.
Tsukuba Express Line itinerary from Kenkyū-gakuen Station
7,5 KM - 0H11 - Kita-Senju Station
Kita-Senju Station is on the JR Joban Line, Tobu Skytree Line and the Chiyoda and Hibiya lines of Tokyo subway.
10,6 KM - 0H14 - Aoi Station
Aoi Station is close to the large Seiwa Community Park.
12 KM - 0H16 - Rokucho Station
Rokucho Station is located in the northern suburbs of Tokyo in Adachi city.
15,6 KM - 0H20 - Yashio Station
Yashio Station is close to the Toyoko Inn Tsukuba Express Yashio-eki Kita-guchi.
TX Express from Akihabara Station, Tokyo
19,3 KM - 0H23 - Misato-Chuo Station
Misato-chuo Station is in Saitama Prefecture.
22,1 KM - 0H26 - Minami-Nagareyama Station
Minami-Nagareyama Station connects with the JR Musashino Line which connects Tsurumi Station in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture with Nishi-Funabashi Station in Chiba Prefecture.
24,3 KM - 0H29 - Nagareyama-Central Park Station
26,5 KM - 0H33 - Nagareyama-Otakanomori Station
Nagareyama-otakanomori Station is on the Tobu Urban Park Line from Omiya Station in Omiya, Saitama to Funabashi in Chiba Prefecture.
TX Express from Akihabara Station, Tokyo
30 KM - 0H36 - Kashiwanoha-campus Station
Kashiwanoha-campus Station is close to campuses of both University of Tokyo and Chiba University.
32 KM - 0H38 - Kashiwa-Tanaka Station
37,7 KM - 0H42 - Moriya Station
Moriya Station is on the Joso Line between Toride and Shimodate in Ibaraki Prefecture.
44,3 KM - 0H45 - Miraidaira Station
48,6 KM - 0H48 - Midorino Station
Tsukuba Station is the terminus of the TX Express from Akihabara
51,8 KM - 0H51 - Bampaku-Kinenkoen Station
Bampaku-kinenkoen Station is close to the pleasant and spacious Bampaku-kinenkoen (Expo Memorial Park).
55,6 KM - 0H54 - Kenkyu-Gakuen Station
Kenkyu-gakuen Station has a cluster of hotels very close by including the Bestland, the Toyoko Inn Kenkyugakuen Tsukuba and the Mark-1 Hotel Tsukuba. Express trains do not stop here.
58,3 KM - 0H57 - Tsukuba Station
Tsukuba Station is the terminus and has an important bus station, Tsukuba Central. Local buses are operated by Kanto Tetsudō (Kantetsu) and run to Tsuchiura Station in Tsuchiura, Mt. Tsukuba, Wellness Park, Hitachi-no-Ushiku Station, Ushiku Station, Kenkyū-gakuen Station, Sakura Newtown, Tenchnopark-oho, Tsukuba University Hospital, Driving License Center, Shimotsuma Station, Ishige Station, Aeon Mall Tsukuba, Kenchikukenkyujo, Space Center (Uchu Senta-) and Daigaku Nishi.
