Tsukuba City is located in the southern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is a city centered on academic and research development. The entire city encompasses the “Tsukuba Science City” and has been designated as a core administrative city and an international conference and tourism city. In 2011, under the Comprehensive Special Zone Act, Tsukuba was selected as an “International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone,” underscoring its important role in international strategy and scientific research.
Historically, the area was primarily rural. Starting in the 1960s, with the promotion of the Tsukuba Science City project, it gradually transformed into Japan’s largest academic city. In 1987, the towns of Yatabe, Ōho, and Toyosato (from the former Tsukuba District), and the village of Sakura (from the Niihari District) merged to form Tsukuba City. Later, Tsukuba Town was added in 1988, followed by Kukizaki Town in 2002, shaping the current city boundaries. These former town and village names are still used today as administrative divisions.
The city is home to many research institutes and educational facilities, making it one of Japan’s key centers for science and academia. In the north lies Mount Tsukuba, designated as one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains, and a popular nature and hiking destination. With the opening of the Tsukuba Express (TX) line in 2005, commuting time from central Tsukuba Station to Tokyo’s Akihabara Station was reduced to as little as 45 minutes, significantly improving accessibility.
Together with neighboring Tsuchiura City, Tsukuba forms the “Tsukuba Metropolitan Area,” which has surpassed the Mito-centered Mito Metropolitan Area to become the largest urban region in Ibaraki Prefecture.
