What is now the College of Arts and Sciences was founded at Komaba, Tokyo, in 1949, when the University of Tokyo started instruction under the present system, based on post-war academic reform. Established as an autonomous institution from the very beginning, the College chose to provide, in addition to education for lower division undergraduates in all faculties of the university, its own upper division for third and fourth-year students and, later, its own Graduate School. The University of Tokyo at Komaba is located in west-central Tokyo. Although only minutes away from the bustling cityscapes of Shibuya and Shinjuku, the campus boasts a peaceful and secluded environment for learning. All AIKOM classes are held at Komaba, and students enjoy ready access to the museums, art galleries, theaters, and sports and recreational activities that help make Tokyo one of the world's great cities. The University's Hongo Campus is less than an hour away from Komaba by train.