Living Information
- Campus Transportation
- Cars and Bicycles (Important information regarding driver's licenses)
- Disaster Prevention & Emergency Contact Numbers
- Bank, Post Office & Utilities Companies
Campus Transportation
Traffic Rules
As there are a limited number of parking spaces on the university campus, students who live near the university or in the dormitories are not allowed to commute to the university by ca
Students who do not live in the dormitories or near the university and who have no choice but to commute to the university by car, may apply for a parking permit at their respective Academic Service Office. When driving on campus, please make sure that you wear your seatbelt, obey all traffic regulations, and do not exceed the speed limit. Also, please use the loop-line bus when you are on campus instead of driving your own car
Please note that the road directly south of the main library (connecting the east and west sides of the campus and close to the Student Plaza) has a lot of traffic, including cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. This area has been identified as a particularly dangerous area for accidents to occur. Therefore, to minimize the possibility of accidents and to ensure a quiet environment for education and research, we recommend that you avoid this area and use the loop roads on the east and west sides of the campus
Illegal Parking
Campus roads are subject to the same rules and regulations as regular roads. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed or will have their wheels locked. Furthermore, as repeat offenders will be notified to the university administrators for disciplinary action, please observe all parking regulations
Bicycle and Vehicle Disposal
It is the owner's responsibility to properly dispose of bicycles and vehicles no longer in service. Proper disposal implies contacting the necessary agents to transport the bicycle or vehicle to the impound yard.
University On-Campus Bus System
The University of Tsukuba has introduced a campus transportation system convenient for the university's students and staff to commute to school/work. In this system, students can freely use the buses from any bus stop on the route between the Tsukuba Center bus terminal and the university if they purchase a one-year bus pass for 4,200 yen (as of 2010). The distance covered is equivalent to approximately 140 roundtrip bus services per day
Students who wish to use this system must purchase a bus pass sticker (see below image) from any of the six Maruzen bookstores on campus. (When purchasing the bus pass, you must show your student ID). You must then affix the pass (sticker) to your student ID.
Note: Note: For your reference, a one-way trip from Tsukuba Daigaku Chuo to Tsukuba Center normally costs 260 yen.
For further inquiries, please contact the Division of General Affairs, Department of General Affairs (Tel 029-853-2025).
Cars and Bicycles (Important!)
Driver's License
A Japanese driver's license or an international driver's license is essential for automobile use. You can drive a 50cc motorcycle using an ordinary license. An international license is only valid for one year from the date of issue. It is highly advisable for students to change their foreign licenses into Japanese licenses or to apply for new Japanese licenses (the latter being an expensive and difficult procedure.)
For converting a foreign driver's license into a Japanese license, the following items are required. A short test will be given, depending on which country you are from, and your driving skills and your eyesight will be examined.
- A valid license (used for more than 3 months in the issuing country)
- International driver's license (if you have one
- Japanese translation of your home country driver's license by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or your country's embassy in Japan
- Passport
- Alien Registration Card
- Two photos (3cm×2.4cm)
- 2,400 yen in revenue stamps for an ordinary license (3,300 yen for motorcycles)
Students who have completed alien registration formalities in Ibaraki Prefecture are able to obtain a Japanese driver's license at the License Bureau of the Traffic Department, Police Headquarters, Ibaraki Prefecture (Driving Test Center).
Address: 3783-3 Nagaoka, Ibaraki-machi, Higashi-ibaraki-gun Tel 029-293-8811 Ext. 333 Transportation: Take the Kanto-Tetsudo bus bound for the 'Menkyo Center' (No. 3 bus stop) from the north exit of JR Mito Station. The time required is about 30 mi Registration hours: 9:30 - 10:00 (weekdays) All students must pass the tests on general traffic rules, automobile knowledge, and driving skills in order to obtain a new Japanese license. Please contact your embassy or the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) for further information.
Automobile Insurance
The owners of motorcycles and cars must enroll in automobile third-party liability insurance, which is a compulsory automobile insurance (jibaiseki-hoken, kyosei-hoken).Should an accident occur, this insurance covers medical expenses and compensation of an injured person to some extent (not the person causing the accident). The amount covered by the insurance, however, is limited and often is not enough to cover all the expenses. Furthermore, all medical fees of the policy holder and property damage to any parties involved are not covered by this insurance. Consequently, it is advisable that owners of any motor vehicles take out voluntary insurance which provides more coverage and higher compensation.
Compulsory Automobile Inspection
All cars and motorcycles over 250cc are required by law to undergo a compulsory automobile inspection (shaken). For new, full-sized cars, an inspection is required in the third year, and after that, once every two years. In case of receiving or buying secondhand cars or motorcycles over 250cc, the name of the owner must be changed from that of the former owner to that of the new owner. Students should be careful to check the expiration dates of inspection and insurance periods
Traffic Accidents
More than 50 traffic accidents are caused by students of our university on and off campus every year. The main causes are speeding, inattentiveness and inexperienced driving.
Traffic accidents, even minor ones, can cause heavy mental and financial burdens as well as academic disturbance to all concerned. Drivers should obey the traffic rules and be extremely careful while driving
Should an accident occur, the driver and/or the passenger of the vehicle must report the incident immediately to the nearest police station in person or by dialing Tel 029-851-0110. When a person is injured, call an ambulance (Tel 029-851-0119).
For your reference, here are some examples of fines for traffic crimes, according to the current Japanese Road Traffic Law:
Hit-and-run: Up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine up to 1,000,000 yen
Driving under the influence (major crime): Up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine up to 1,000,000 yen
Driving under the influence (minor crime): Up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine up to 500,000 yen
Driving without a license: Up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine up to 300,000 yen
In addition to these penalties, our university takes disciplinary measures such as expelling, suspending, or admonishing students who demonstrate inappropriate behavior.
Disposal of Vehicles (Cars)
Upon deciding to revoke the registration of one's car, the owner is responsible for disposal of the car. Owners of abandoned cars are liable to punishment and their academic advisors are also inconvenienced.
Bicycles
Be aware of the following concerning bicycles:
- Lock your bicycle at all times.
- Your name and address should be clearly written on your bicycle.
- Register your bicycle at the shop where you purchased it.
- If your bicycle is given to you, you should ask the former owner to write a brief note stating that the bicycle is a gift.
- Do not claim bicycles that you find on the street. In most cases they might have been stolen.
Disaster Prevention & Emergency Contact Numbers
Theft
Theft in the residences and research labs occurs frequently. Lock the doors and windows of your residence when you leave it. Do not forget to always lock your bicycle as well. In the event you are the victim of a theft, report it immediately to the police.
Fire Prevention
As most Japanese houses are made of flammable materials, great precaution must be taken against fire. When going out or to bed, check the heating appliances, cigarette butts, gas fittings, etc. If a fire breaks out, please call Tel 029-851-0119.
Extra Precautions for Women
Do not walk alone at night, as it is very dangerous. Using public phones in the middle of the night is not recommended either. Inviting strangers into your apartment should also be avoided.
Furthermore, if you are sexually harassed by a university staff member or a student, consult the advisors at the Advisory Room in the International Student Cente
“Catch Sales”
Recently, there have been many cases of "catch sales" on campus and in the city, when ambulant merchants approach people and try to sell them expensive merchandise. Even in case you concluded a contract with such a merchant, you can cancel it within 8-14 days owing to the so-called "cooling-off period" system (However, it may take some time to cancel it, according to the type of goods you bought). In case you wish to do this, you are advised to consult first with the staff of the Advisory Section of the ISC.
Various Solicitations
Especially in spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), there are many cases of ambulant merchants ( "catch sales") and representatives of various religions who visit the university campus or student residence areas and try to convince people to buy from them or join them in their activities. Please be cautious if you are approached by them.
Emergency Contact Numbers
If you are a victim of a crime or fire, report it to the appropriate office and to your academic advisor.
Police 110 (from regular phone)
029-851-0110 (from cellular phone)(free)crime, theft, traffic accidents Fire Department 119 (from regular phone)
029-851-0119 (from cellular phone)(free)fire, emergency medical help, rescue Tsukuba Poison Center 0990-52-9899 (charges apply) Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital
Bank, Post Office & Utilities Companies
Listed below are some of the banks, post offices, and utilities companies near the university
Bank
Joyo Bank Kenkyu Gakuen-toshi Branch
1-14-2 Azuma, Tsukuba-shi
Tel. 029-851-2151Tsukuba Bank Tsukuba sales departmen
1-17 Takezono, Tsukuba-sh
Tel. 029-851-1801
Post Office
Tsukuba Gakuen Post Office
1-1376 Azuma, Tsukuba-shi
Tel: 029-851-9612Tsukuba University On-campus Post Office
3-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba-shi
Tel: 029-851-3010Telephone Company
(Fixed-line phone)
NTT East Ibaraki Branch Tsukuba Office
1-1372 Azuma, Tsukuba-shi
Tel: 029-855-9203(Cellular phone)
au shop Tsukuba
37-3 Higashiarai Tsukuba-shi
Tel: 029-860-2202Docomo shop Tsukuba
24-3 Higashiarai Tsukuba-shi
Tel: 029-858-3301Electrical Power Company
Tokyo Electric Power Company Ibaraki Customer Center
Tel. 0120-995-331 (moving in/out, contract)
Tel. 0120-995-332 (power failures, fees, etc.)Gas Company
Tsukuba Gakuken Gas Company
kenkyugakuen D35 Block5, Tsukuba-shi
Tel 029-848-515
