🌸 Basic Information & Overview
Line Name: Tsukuba Express (TX)
Operator: Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (Third-Sector Railway)
Opened: August 24, 2005
Route Length: Approx. 58.3 km
Number of Stations: 20
Route: Akihabara (Tokyo) → Tsukuba (Ibaraki Prefecture)
Connections: JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Chiyoda Line (via Kita-Senju), and more
Travel Time: Approx. 45 minutes (Akihabara–Tsukuba, using Rapid)
Train Types: Rapid, Commuter Rapid, Semi-Rapid, Local
Features: No level crossings, platform doors at every station, 130 km/h top speed ⚡
📜 History & Background
・1960s: The concept began to ease congestion on the Joban Line and support new suburban development in eastern Tokyo.
・1990s: Plans accelerated with the growth of Tsukuba Science City.
・2005: Opened between Akihabara and Tsukuba as a high-speed urban railway.
・Today: TX is firmly established as a key line connecting Tokyo with Ibaraki for commuters, students, and researchers alike.
🌟 Advantages (Merits)
✅ 1. Fast and Efficient — Only 45 Minutes from Akihabara to Tsukuba!
Rapid and Semi-Rapid trains minimize stops, offering smooth and time-saving travel⏱
✅ 2. High-Standard Infrastructure & Strong Disaster Resistance
All stations feature platform doors, barrier-free facilities, and modern disaster-prevention systems. TX is designed to recover quickly after earthquakes or storms💪
✅ 3. Modern, Quiet, and Clean Trains
TX-1000, 2000, and 3000 series cars provide a peaceful and comfortable ride🚆
✅ 4. Urban Redevelopment Around Stations
Areas like Nagareyama-Ōtakanomori, Moriya, and Tsukuba are seeing rapid growth with new shopping malls and housing projects🏙
⚠️ Disadvantages (Drawbacks)
❌ 1. Slightly Higher Fares
Akihabara–Tsukuba IC fare: approx. ¥1,205 (¥1,210 for ticket). Slightly higher than other commuter lines💴
❌ 2. Limited Central Tokyo Connections
Currently terminates at Akihabara only; transfers to other lines often require short walks.
❌ 3. Early Last Train
Fewer late-night trains compared to other Tokyo lines—plan your return accordingly🌙
🧺 Living Convenience (Ease of Living)
Transportation: ★★★★★ – Direct, fast, and reliable access to Tokyo
Commercial Facilities: ★★★★☆ – Major malls at Ōtakanomori, Kenkyū-Gakuen, and Tsukuba
Nature & Environment: ★★★★☆ – Green surroundings and open urban planning🌳
Child-Raising Environment: ★★★★★ – Safe, clean neighborhoods with excellent education & healthcare
Safety: ★★★★★ – Well-planned residential areas with a calm atmosphere
🏠 Real Estate Perspective (as of 2025)
💴 Average Rent (Single / Family)
Akihabara: ¥128,000–¥150,000 / ¥220,000–¥320,000 – Central Tokyo, premium rates
Kita-Senju: ¥90,000–¥110,000 / ¥150,000–¥200,000 – Excellent transport hub and convenience
Minami-Senju: ¥90,000–¥115,000 / ¥150,000–¥230,000 – Redeveloped and family-friendly
Nagareyama-Ōtakanomori: ¥85,000–¥95,000 / ¥150,000–¥220,000 – Popular with new developments and malls
Moriya: ¥60,000–¥80,000 / ¥110,000–¥160,000 – Great cost performance for commuters
Tsukuba (incl. Kenkyū-Gakuen): ¥55,000–¥75,000 / ¥100,000–¥150,000 – Spacious homes in a research-oriented city
🏘 Housing Trends
・Akihabara–Kita-Senju: Ideal for singles and couples; top urban convenience.
・Nagareyama–Moriya: Popular for new condominiums and detached homes; family-oriented.
・Kenkyū-Gakuen–Tsukuba: Spacious low-rise houses, easy parking, and rising property values.
🚉 Access Overview
Main Terminals: Akihabara / Transfer Hubs: Kita-Senju, Minami-Senju
Service Types: Rapid・Commuter Rapid・Semi-Rapid・Local
Travel Time: Approx. 45 min (Akihabara–Tsukuba)
🎫 Fare Note (as of Oct 2025)
Akihabara–Tsukuba: IC ¥1,205 / Ticket ¥1,210
Planned fare revision in March 2026 (max fare up to ¥1,280)
🎯 Best For
✅ People who want the speed of city life and the calm of suburbia
✅ Families seeking a safe, modern, and education-friendly neighborhood👨👩👧👦
✅ Remote workers looking for larger homes with easy access to Tokyo
✅ Students and researchers based in Tsukuba’s academic hub💻
📌 Summary
The Tsukuba Express perfectly balances speed, comfort, and livability.
Direct to Akihabara, it offers excellent access to central Tokyo while connecting to emerging areas like Nagareyama-Ōtakanomori, Moriya, and Tsukuba—now among the most desirable places to live around Greater Tokyo.
Though fares are slightly higher, the clean environment, advanced city planning, and high-quality housing make TX one of Japan’s most forward-looking commuter lines✨