I’m moving to Tsukuba but not my decision – family reasons. I’ve looked online but can’t find much info about life there.
Can any one who lives or lived there share the pros and cons of Tsukuba life?
Really good to hear recommendations too (parks, restaurants, hiking and cycling spots, day trips, getting to beaches, etc)
Thanks!
2 comments
*tumbleweeds blowing in the wind*
You’ll need a bike, but life will be much easier for you if you have a car. Most people bike. I wouldn’t call it a walkable city, but I’m bad with hot weather… Bring sunscreen; the main streets could do with a lot more tree cover.
Tsukuba-san is pretty in the fall and has a cable car and ropeway. The city also is full of sakura so it’s beautiful in the spring. No snow, just 2 or 3 dustings, gone after an hour or so. There’s tons of good ramen restaurants in the area. Lots of bakeries too, though I always bake my own so can’t vouch for quality. It’s the countryside, so if you can live near Tsukuba station it’ll be easier for you to do groceries, go to restaurants, etc, though rent is pretty expensive around that area. Most things open around 10 am and close by 8 pm, sun rises around 4-5 am and sets around 6 pm. Parks are mostly playgrounds or running tracks here. Not much water except one river. I heard Tsuchiura has some interesting stuff.
As for the people, they’re fine. Nearly every foreigner I’ve met here who used to live in the Kansai region says that in comparison, people here can be pretty unpleasant/unhelpful, we’re all dreaming of moving back to Kansai lol. Don’t go to the grocery store on the university campus in the evenings. There’s a creep who hangs out there and harasses girls sometimes.
Pretty easy to take a day trip to Tokyo on the Tsukuba Express (TX). Bring some Tiger Balm or Vicks or something to put on your upper lip, it’s been smelling a bit funky because of the heat + …not sure what. There’s some fun spots on the line (I like Kashiwanoha campus, Kita-Senju and Asakusa but Akihabara is also on that line). There’s also a bus that goes directly to Tokyo station that takes about 2hr. City Hall is easily accessible from the TX line Kenkyugakuen station. Feel free to message if you have specific questions, though I think I’m a bit of a Debbie Downer (sorry, I’m a bit homesick and would do just about anything to go back to Kyoto right now hah… Or failing that eat some blue crabs or a bowl of grits… God I’d kill for a hunk of cornbread slathered in butter and honey and some baby back ribs… Oh-).