Getting Started with Genkai

Last updated: April 1, 2026

This page explains the procedures for first-time users of Genkai.

⚠ Required: Create a User Application Portal Account
All users — both project leaders and members — must first create a User Application Portal Account before using Genkai.
Please create your account here.

1. Getting Started: Step-by-Step¶

Step 1Everyone Create a Portal Account

First, create your User Application Portal Account.

Step 2Leader Apply for a Project

Log in to the User Application Portal and submit a project application.

Step 3Leader Invite Members

Once the application is approved, share the issued Project ID with your project members.

Step 4Member Apply to Join the Project

Use the Project ID to submit a request to join the project.

Step 5Leader Approve the Join Request

Once the project leader approves the request, a supercomputer account linked to the project will be automatically issued and sent by email.

Alternative Method for Adding Members

The project leader can also add members directly from the User Application Portal using the member's portal account ID (starting with "ap~").

2. Terminology¶

What is a Project?¶

On Genkai, computing resources are allocated in units called "projects".

Key characteristics:

Created per group of users sharing the same budget
Each project has one project leader and multiple members
Computing points and storage are shared within each project

Notes on Usage Patterns

One person can be the leader of multiple projects
One person can be a member of multiple projects
The same person can be a leader in one project and a member in another

Two Types of Accounts¶

Genkai requires two separate accounts.

· User Application Portal Account¶

A web portal account used for submitting applications and managing projects.
One account is issued per person and is required for all Genkai procedures.
Please create your account here.

· Supercomputer Account¶

An account used to log in to Genkai via SSH or web and run computations.
Issued per project, and notified after applying for or joining a project.

Roles: Leader vs. Member¶

Genkai has two roles: Project Leader and Project Member.

Project Leader
The person responsible for creating and managing the project.

Main Responsibilities

Project management (application, extension, etc.)
Adding and approving members
Managing budget and points

Project Member
A user who joins a project and uses its computing resources.

Main Responsibilities

Submitting a request to join a project
Running jobs, transferring files, and other compute tasks

3. Usage Fees¶

The following fees apply when using Genkai:

Base fee
Points
Storage (optional)

For details on the fee structure and rate schedule, see here.

4. Base Fee and Storage¶

Each project is entitled to 1 TB of storage during the usage period as part of the base fee.
Additional large-capacity or high-speed storage can be requested at the time of application, and extra capacity can also be purchased during the usage period.
Please note that storage becomes inaccessible after the usage period ends — be sure to apply for an extension or renewal for the following fiscal year in advance.

How to purchase storage: here
Storage types and usage: here

5. Purchasing Points¶

To use shared compute nodes in a project, you must purchase points in advance.
Purchased points are shared among all members of the project.
Points can be purchased when applying for a project or added at any time during the usage period.

Point Policy¶

Expiry: End of the fiscal year in which they were purchased
※ Points expire after the deadline and cannot be carried over
Rollover: Not available
Refunds: Not available (whether used or unused)
Available quantity: Calculated from the total system compute capacity. Point sales may end mid-year if the maximum is reached.

※ Usage is heavily concentrated during the busy season (October–January), and points may go unused. We recommend planning usage outside of this period.

Important: Application and Point Purchase Deadlines

The deadline for usage applications and point purchase requests is the 23rd of each month.
※ The deadline is the 15th in April, December, and February.
Applications submitted after the deadline will be processed for the following month onward.

⚠ Important Restrictions for March
Due to fiscal year-end accounting requirements, the following are not accepted:

Any applications for March (except those for the next fiscal year)
Project applications with a usage period limited to March only
Point purchase requests where points would be granted in March

※ If you wish to start using Genkai in March, you must apply starting from February.

How to purchase points: here.