Access

  Getting to Tachikawa

  1.Tokyo Airports

Most international flights to Tokyo arrive at Narita Airport (http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/）, but there has recently been an increase in service to Haneda Airport（http://www.haneda-airport.jp/en/）. NINJAL is located in the city of Tachikawa, which is a long distance from either airport.

  1.1. Narita to Tachikawa

There are two options for getting from Narita Airport to Tachikawa.

   by train

If you have purchased a Japan Rail Pass so that you can travel around by train before or after the conference, you can exchange your voucher for the actual pass at the JR East (East Japan Railway Company) station in the airport and take the Narita Express (http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/narita.html).

There are two trains a day that will take you all the way to Tachikawa. They leave Narita Airport Terminal 1 at 19:45 and at 21:49. If you do not have a rail pass, this trip will cost ¥3,980. If you are not able to take one of these two trains, you will have to take the Narita Express from the airport to Shinjuku (http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e866.html). At Shinjuku, it will be necessary to transfer to an outbound Chūō Line commuter train. All outbound trains stop at Tachikawa. If you do not have a rail pass, this trip will cost ¥3,550.

Please note:The Chūō Line is one of the most heavily used train lines in Japan, and the outbound trains are extremely crowded from mid afternoon until late at night. It will take at least 25 minutes to get from Shinjuku to Tachikawa, and you are very unlikely to find a seat. Also, it can be quite a challenge just to get on and off the train if you have a suitcase.

   by bus

For most people, especially those with luggage, the Airport Limousine bus (http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/platform_searches/index/2/101#reserve) is a better option. The ticket counters are located just outside the exits from Customs and Immigration. There are 9 trips a day to Tachikawa, and the fare is ¥ 3,500. The last departure each day is at 20:20-20:30 (depending on which of the three airport stops you board at). The trip typically takes about 2½ hours, but it varies considerably depending on traffic conditions. When you buy your ticket, the clerk will ask you where you want to get off. Choose either Tachikawa Station/Grand Hotel (the first stop) or Palace Hotel (the second stop), depending on where you are staying. Unless you are staying at the Palace Hotel, the first stop will probably be better, but be aware that it is actually quite a distance (about 300m) from Tachikawa Station.

   1.2.Haneda to Tachikawa

There are two options for getting from Haneda Airport to Tachikawa.

   by train

Unless you are familiar with the Tokyo commuter train network and do not have much luggage, we do not recommend traveling from Haneda to Tachikawa by train. The easiest route is to take the Tokyo Monorail (http://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/) from the airport to Hamamatsu-chō, the JR East Yamanote Line or Keihin-Tōhoku Line from Hamamatsu-chō to Tokyo Station, and the JR East Chūō Line from Tokyo Station to Tachikawa.

  by bus

The Airport Limousine bus (http://hnd-bus.com/route/haijima.html) is the recommended option. The airport ticket counter is located just outside the exit from Customs and Immigration. There are 20 trips a day to Tachikawa, and the fare is ¥ 1,500. The last departure each day is at 10 minutes past midnight. The trip typically takes a little less than 2 hours, but it varies considerably depending on traffic conditions. When you buy your ticket, the clerk will ask you where you want to get off. Choose either Tachikawa Railway Station (the first stop) or Palace Hotel (the second stop), depending on where you are staying. Unless you are staying at the Palace Hotel, the first stop will probably be better.

Finding your hotel

If this is your first trip to Japan, the area around a major railway station like Tachikawa may feel like a maze, especially if you arrive after dark. Your hotel's website should include a map that will help you to find your way, but if you get lost, almost anyone you approach will try to help you. Try to speak English slowly and clearly (although you might be lucky enough to run into someone who is highly proficient). People who work in convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart, Sunkusu, etc.) usually know the area well. If necessary, you can ask for directions at the police box near the Krispy Kreme on the north side of Tachikawa Station (ground level) or at the information counter inside Tachikawa Station (located upstairs near the ticket gates).

National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics

Address: 10-2 Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, 190-8561
URL: http://www.ninjal.ac.jp/english/

By Tama Monorail:

7-minute walk from Takamatsu Station
(the next stop from Tachikawa-Kita Station)

By Tachikawa Bus:

2-minute walk from "Jichidaigakko/Kokuritsu Kokugo Kenkyusho"
(Take any bus from Stop #2 in the Bus Depot located outside the North Exit of JR Tachikawa Station)

On foot

20-minute walk from Tachikawa Station.

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