Access to Kavli IPMU

From International Airport

Typically, you fly to the Narita International Airport. But, since October 2010, Haneda also became an international airport. Please check beforehand that your flight arrives at Narita. Note also that there are two terminals at the Narita airport, depending on which airline you fly. Make sure you know which one you will be arriving at.

From Narita Airport

There are several routes to get to IPMU from the Narita airport. Which one is the best for you depends on how much luggage you carry, how impatient you are, where you are staying, and how comfortable you are with the Japanese train system. Here are descriptions of four major methods.

• By Taxi

  If you can afford, this is the simplest way to reach IPMU. It takes approximately 85 minutes (49.3 km) and 15,000 yen.

• By Airport bus

  Next easiest method is to take the Airport bus to The Kashiwa Crest Hotel (1,700 yen and approx. 90 min, but subject to traffic condition), walk 3 minutes to JR Kashiwa station, and take either taxi or local bus to reach IPMU (see directions in "From Tokyo downtown" below). The catch is that it doesn't run very frequently, typically once every two hours. They depart from the bus stop #5 from Terminal 1 or the bus stop #12 from Terminal 2. There is a ticket counter for the buses on the 1st floor of each airport terminal. Buy a ticket to "Kashiwa Station."

• By train (Narita Sky Access – Tobu Noda line)

  Take Narita Sky Access and get off at Shin-Kamagaya. Switch to Tobu Noda line and go to Kashiwa. At Kashiwa, take another Tobu Noda line train bound for Omiya and get off at Edogawadai. Take either taxi or local bus to reach IPMU (see directions in "From Tokyo downtown" below). You can also take taxi or local bus after getting off at Kashiwa.

• By train (Keisei Narita line – JR Narita line, for experts)

  This is what many locals do. It is not recommended if you are not comfortable with the Japanese train system or if you have a lot of luggage. On the other hand, it is often the fastest and cheapest (900yen), and runs about twice an hour. Note that our reimbursement system is based on this train fare, not other methods. You first go from the basement of the airport terminal, and take either JR or Keisei line to Narita. In the case of the Keisei Narita station, you need to walk about 3-5 minutes to JR Narita station. From the JR Narita station, take JR Narita line to Abiko, transfer to JR Joban line bound for Ueno and get off at Kashiwa. (In many case, the train goes directly from Narita bound for Ueno to Kashiwa without a need to transfer at Abiko.) Take either taxi or local bus from the JR Kashiwa station to reach IPMU (see directions in "From Tokyo downtown" below).

From Haneda airport

• By Airport bus

  Take the Highway bus bound for Kashiwa station (Kashiwa Eki) from the bus stop #6 of international terminal (approx. 85 min.; 1,500 yen). Prior to taking the bus, purchase a ticket at the 2nd floor arrival lobby. Get off at National Cancer Center (Kokuritsu Gan Senta). Walk to IPMU (2 minutes).

• By train

  There are two routes. You can take either Tokyo Monorail and go to Hamamatsucho or take Keikyu line to Shinagawa. For the Shinagawa route, you have to switch the train at Keikyu Kamata unless you take Airport Express or Airport Rapid Express. At Hamamatsucho or Shinagawa, take JR Yamanote line and get off at Akihabara. From Akihabara, take Tsukuba Express (TX) and go to Kashiwanoha Campus. Take either taxi or local bus to reach IPMU (see directions in "From Tokyo downtown" below). The total trip takes approximately 90 minutes. It costs 1,270 yen for Monorail route and 1,210 yen for Keikyu line route.

From Tokyo Downtown

IPMU can be accessed from three train stations, each with its own pros and cons.

• Kashiwanoha Campus station on Tsukuba Express (TX) line

  This is the most convenient station. It takes only 30 minutes from Akihabara in downtown Tokyo. Please note that rapid trains do not stop at Kashiwanoha. Make sure to take semi-rapid trains. IPMU is 25 minutes walk or 5 minutes bus ride from the station. Take either #03 or #04 bus from the bus stop #1 at the West Exit of the station and get off at National Cancer Center ("Kokuritsu Gan Senta"). You can also take #10 bus at the same bus stop and get off at Todai-mae. Renting a bicycle from the train station (200 yen/day) is a very good alternative and even cheaper than the bus. If you are in a hurry, take a taxi for about 1,000 yen, and tell the driver you need to go to "Todai" (pronounced Toh-dye) or "Gan Senta".

• West Exit of Kashiwa station on JR Joban line

  This station is also used when coming from the Narita airport. The bus runs every 10 minutes to National Cancer Center. Take either #44 or #01 bus from the bus stop #2 of the West Exit of the station. The downside is that the bus ride takes 25 minutes, and sometimes even 40 minutes during rush hours. A taxi ride would cost 2,000 yen to 3,000 yen, and takes about the same time as the bus.

• Edogawadai station on Tobu Noda line

  The station is about 30 minutes walk or 10 to 15 minutes bus ride from IPMU. The bus service from this station, which used to be rather inconvenient before, is now reasonable. Take either #04 or #10 bus from the bus stop #1 and get off at Todai-mae. A taxi ride will cost about 10 minutes (3 km) and 1,000 yen.

From the National Cancer Center bus stop

IPMU is 2 minutes walk from the National Cancer Center.

Kashiwa Campus Map: Map of Kashiwa campus for IPMU.

By Driving

Get off at Kashiwa I.C. on the Joban Express Way. Go toward Chiba along Route 16, turn right at the first traffic signal (after about 1km). IPMU main gate is on your right after about 1km (4th traffic rights).