Built around a respected university, Tsukuba is a vibrant city at the base of Mount Tsukuba. It’s home to the Tsukuba Science City where a renowned space centre and exposition museum are located, as well as an interactive dog-themed park.
Things to do in Tsukuba
Join a guided tour of the Tsukuba Space Center, which forms part of the innovative Tsukuba Science City. Get up close to full-scale satellite models and real-life rock engines in the “Space Dome” and see a model of the Japanese Experiment Module, known as “Kibo”, for the International Space Station.
Follow one of the many hiking trails that lead up the slopes of Mount Tsukuba or ride the cable car to its double-peaked summit where a toad-shaped rock is located. Stop at the 8th-century Tsukuba Shrine that’s nestled in the foothills of the mountain and is noted for its immense bell and ornate Nikko-style carvings.
Dog lovers should visit Tsukuba Wanwan Land where you can interact with a range of different dog breeds. Attend the dog show to see their unique talents or just spend time playing with the dogs that call Wanwan Land home.
Learn about the world of geospatial studies at the Science Museum of Map and Survey, run by the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan. It’s home to 3D maps, an interactive earthquake-making machine and map-drawing tables.
Getting around Tsukuba
Tsukuba is around 45 minutes by train from Tokyo and one hour’s drive from Narita International Airport. Buses travel throughout Tsukuba and it boasts an excellent network of bicycle paths and bridges known as the Pedestrian Way.