Hitotsubashi University is in Kunitachi City, Tokyo, Japan and the closest train station is ``Kunitachi.'' Once you get off at Kunitachi station, go to the South Exit and go along ``Daigaku Dori'' (a very big street so that you don't miss it) for about 5 minutes. Then, you should be able to find the West campus of Hitotsubashi on your right hand side.
Before I explain to you the direction to Hitotsubashi, I want to straighten out one important thing: don't even think about taking a taxi all the way from the airport to Hitotsubashi University. Although I have never done this, I am sure that it costs a lot! One option you might consider worthwhile is that you take a taxi in ``Tachikawa.'' This sounds reasonable.
I will describe below how you can get to Hitotsubashi University or Tachikawa from various points of departure.
(I) From Haneda (Tokyo International) Airport (HND) to Kunitachi:
Not-So-Easy Way:
(1) Go to ``Keikyu'' line at Haneda airport.
(2) Take a train which goes to ``Shinagawa.'' Some trains may not take you to Shinagawa. So, make sure if your train goes to Shinagawa.
(3) Change your train into ``Yamanote'' line (light green color). This is a circular line that runs both clockwise and counterclockwise around the center of Tokyo. So, you just make sure that your train goes to Shinjuku station. Note that this is one of the busiest lines in Tokyo.
(4) Change your train into ``Chuo'' line (orange color) at Shinjuku. You take any train that goes in the OPPOSITE direction to Tokyo station, such as the one bound for ``Takao,'' ``Toyoda,'' ``Tachikawa,'' ``Ome,'' ``Hachioji,'' or ``Otsuki.'' But do not take the one bound for ``Musashi-koganei.'' Note that there are two different types of trains: `` rapid'' and ``super rapid.'' If you take a ``rapid'' train, you just ride on the train and get off at ``Kunitachi.'' If you happen to take a ``super rapid'' train, you have to get off at ``Kokubunji'' and change your train into a local one. Usually, the local trains are waiting next door. So, your transit should be easy. You have to go through ``Nishi-Kokubunji'' and get off at the next station, Kunitachi.
Easy but Not-So-Fast Way:
(1) Take a shuttle bus bound for ``Tachikawa'' at Haneda airport. This bus does not often run but you don't have to worry about changing trains. Before you get on a bus, you have to buy a ticket at the reception desk in the airport building.
(2) You get off the bus at Tachikawa station.
(3) You get a Chuo line train (orange color) bound for Tokyo at Tachikawa station. The next station is Kunitachi. However, please make sure that you take a ``rapid'' train. DO NOT take a ``super rapid'' train, which passes Kunitachi and takes you all the way to ``Kokubunji.''
(II) From Narita (New Tokyo International) Airport (NRT) to Kunitachi:
One way by train:
(1) Take a ``Narita Express (NEX)'' train at the airport. There are a few ticket vending machines where you get a boarding pass to Kunitachi and another ticket for a reserved seat for Narita Express up to Shinjuku. If you are lucky, some Narita Express trains (bound for ``Takao'') directly take you to ``Kokubunji.'' Then, you can skip step (2) below and move on to step (3). If you are not so sure how the vending machine works, it is safer to wait on the line to be served by person.
(2) Change your train into Chuo line (orange color) at Shinjuku. Here you can take any train that goes in the opposite direction to Tokyo station.
(3) In case you take a ``super rapid'' train on Chuo line, you have to change the train at ``Kokubunji'' to a local train. Usually, the local trains are waiting next door. You pass ``Nishi-Kokubunji'' and get off at the next station, i.e., Kunitachi.
Another way by bus:
(1) Take a shuttle bus bound for ``Tachikawa'' at Narita airport. This bus does not often run but you don't have to worry about changing trains. Before you get on a bus, you have to buy a ticket at the reception desk in the airport building.
(2) You get off the bus at Tachikawa station.
(3) You get a Chuo line train (orange color) bound for Tokyo at Tachikawa station. The next station is Kunitachi. However, please make sure that you take a ``rapid'' train. DO NOT take a ``super rapid'' train, which passes Kunitachi and takes you all the way to ``Kokubunji.''
(III) From Airports to Hotels in Tachikawa:
There are two hotels we often use for visitors: Palace Hotel Tachikawa and Tachikawa Grand Hotel.
By Bus: Take a shuttle bus bound for ``Tachikawa.'' Regardless of which airport your are in, you shuttle bus directly takes you to both hotels.
By Train from Haneda Airport:
(1) Go to ``Keikyu'' line at Haneda airport.
(2) Take a train which goes to ``Shinagawa.'' Some trains may not take you to Shinagawa. So, make sure if your train goes to Shinagawa.
(3) Change your train into ``Yamanote'' line (light green color). This is a circular line that runs both clockwise and counterclockwise around the center of Tokyo. So, you just make sure that your train goes to Shinjuku station. Note that this is one of the busiest lines in Tokyo.
(4) Change your train into ``Chuo'' line (orange color) at Shinjuku. You take any train that goes in the opposite direction to Tokyo station except the one bound for ``Musashi-Koganei.'' You get off at Tachikawa.
By Train from Narita Airport:
(1) Take a ``Narita Express (NEX)'' train at the airport. There are a few ticket vending machines where you get a boarding pass to Kunitachi and another ticket for a reserved seat for Narita Express up to Shinjuku. If you are lucky, some Narita Express trains (bound for ``Takao'') directly take you to ``Kokubunji.'' Then, you can skip steps (2) below and move on to step (3).
(2) Change your train into Chuo line (orange color) at Shinjuku. Here you can take any train that goes in the opposite direction to Tokyo station except the one bound for ``Musashi-Koganei.''. You get off at Tachikawa station.
Note: when you plan to go from hotels in Tachikawa to the airports (either Haneda or Narita) by bus, you should talk to the reception desk of the hotel a day before to make sure that the shuttle bust picks you up at the hotel.
(IV) From Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station to Kunitachi Sation:
(1) Take a Chuo line (orange color). If you take a train at Tokyo station, it is a terminal station of Chuo line and there is only one direction to go. If you take a train at Shinjuku station, you have to take a train bound for the opposite direction to Tokyo station, such as the one bound for ``Takao,'' ``Toyoda,'' ``Tachikawa,'' ``Hachioji,'' ``Otsuki,'' or ``Ome.'' But do not take the one bound for ``Musashi-koganei.''
(2) In case you take a ``super rapid'' train on Chuo line, you have to change the train at ``Kokubunji'' into a local train. Usually, the local trains are waiting next door so that your change of trains should be smooth. You have to pass ``Nishi-Kokubunji'' and get off at the next station, Kunitachi.