Student Life
Being a "Todai" student
Komaba is located in the South-West of Tokyo and is a peaceful residential area hosting two University of Tokyo campuses (Komaba I and II). There are many facilities in the local area including a public park and a swimming pool. There are also places of interest such as the Japan Folk Crafts Museum (Nihon Mingeikan) and the Former Marquis Maeda Residence in the Komaba Park.
Students accepted to the GPES program will be based on the Komaba I Campus of the University of Tokyo. The campus is also the main campus for the 1st and 2nd year Japanese students at the university and consequently international students admitted to the university have many opportunities to meet and interact with the home students.
Transportation
The transport system throughout Tokyo is punctual, convenient and inexpensive. The substantial number of trains, taxis and busses that run around the city make it easy to move around Tokyo at any time of the day or night.
Most Todai students commute by train. The nearest station to the Komaba campus is "Komaba-Todai-mae Station" on the Keio Inokashira Line. Trains run from about 5am until midnight. We are just a five-minute train ride away from both Shibuya and Shimo-Kitazawa stations.
Shibuya is a vibrant, bustling district with many restaurants, cafes and shops and is very popular with young people. It is also one of the major hubs for the Tokyo rail system, providing easy access to the rest of Tokyo and beyond.
Food
It is possible to find all types of cuisine in Tokyo. For example, Shibuya has many restaurants preparing every style of food (Western and Asian) imaginable. In addition, supermarkets in Shibuya and Shimo-Kitazawa sell a wide range of produce from around the world (as well as Japanese specialities).
On campus, the cafeteria offers lunch and dinner at very reasonable prices. Food can also be purchased at the Coop shop and there are many other eateries and food stands both on and off of campus.
In addition, Shibuya and Shimo-Kitazawa have lots of supermarkets, fresh food shops and numerous eateries serving various kinds of food.