Otsuki station guide. How to transfer from JR train to Fuji Kyuko train.

OtsukiMt. Fuji and Hakone
2013.05.06
I took this picture from overpass between #3 and #4/#5 platform. Red brown color train (left) is Fuji Kyuko's Fuji Tozan Densha. (C) JP Rail
I took this picture from overpass between #3 and #4/#5 platform. Red brown color train (left) is Fuji Kyuko’s Fuji Tozan Densha. (C) JP Rail

Otsuki station is the station where you change to/from JR train and Fuji Kyuko train. If you travel to Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) and Mt. Fuji by train, you will transfer at this station. Many limited express trains to/from Tokyo and Shinjuku stop at this station. Some rapid trains go through Fuji Kyuko railways to Lake Kawaguchi via this station, Otsuki.

In this post, I would like to show you some images and explain about this station. You will find how to transfer the trains here at Otsuki station.

Tracks and platforms

First of all, please see Otsuki station map of Fuji Kyuko. It is in Japanese, but don’t worry. It is not complicated.

Both JR and Fuji Kyuko Otsuki station are at the ground level. There are located at the same place. There are 3 tracks / 2 platforms for JR lines and 3 tracks (#3-#5) / 1 platform and 2 tracks (#1-#2)for Fuji Kyuko train.

This picture was taken from the end of Fuji Kyuko's platform. (C) JP Rail
This picture was taken from the end of Fuji Kyuko’s platform. (C) JP Rail
Track#Destination
1,2Fujisan, Fuji-Q Highland, Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi)
Track#Destination
3Kofu, Kobuchizawa, Matsumoto (A few trains to Takao, Hachioji, Shinjuku)
4Takao, Hachioji, Shinjuku (A few trains to Kofu, Kobuchizawa, Matsumoto)
Trains go through Fuji Kyuko line to/from JR line.
5Takao, Hachioji, Shinjuku
I took this picture from the west end of platform #4 and #5. Chuo line rapid train (silver and orange) at track #4, Fuji Tozan Densha at #2 and Fuji Kyuko's local train (silver and blue) at #1 can be see in this picture. (C) JP Rail
I took this picture from the west end of platform #4 and #5. Chuo line rapid train (silver and orange) at track #4, Fuji Tozan Densha at #2 and Fuji Kyuko’s local train (silver and blue) at #1 can be see in this picture. (C) JP Rail

If you take Limited Express Azusa / Super Azusa, train arrive at track #3 most of times. You don’t have to change the platforms to transfer to Fuji Kyuko.

In summer peak season, direct rapid train “Holiday Kawaguchiko” is operated between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. This train goes through Fuji Kyuko line. But it departs/arrives at track #4 mostly. When you arrive at Otsuki station, just proceed to the west end of the platform. You will find Fuji Kyuko transfer gate very easily.

Overpass at track #4 and #5 (C) JP Rail
Stairs to overpass at track #4 and #5 (C) JP Rail
Overpass at track #3. Transfer gate is located behind this stairs. (C) JP Rail
Overpass at track #3. Transfer gate is located behind this stairs. (C) JP Rail

Even if you have to change the platforms, 5 minutes is fine. Otsuki station is quite small and very easy to find the direction.

Ticket gate/Exit

Transfer ticket gate is located at the end of platform for track #3. (C) JP Rail
Transfer ticket gate is located at the end of platform for track #3. (C) JP Rail
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Both JR East and Fuji Kyuko have ticket gate. But if you use JR Pass, JR East Pass or Kanto Area Pass, you don’t need to exit station. As I mentioned, there is a transfer gate at JR track #3. Especially if you have Kanto Area Pass, it cover Fuji Kyuko line. All you have to do is showing your pass when you enter Fuji Kyuko platform. But even if you have Kanto Area Pass, surcharge is required to take Fujisan Tokkyu (Limited Express) and Fuji Tozan Densha (Rapid train by specialized fleet). You have to purchase surcharge ticket at transfer gate. If you use JR Pass or JR East Pass, you can purchase Fuji Kyuko single ticket at transfer gate.

If you use Suica when you enter JR station, like Shinjuku, you can go through transfer gate and get Fuji Kyuko train. Fuji Kyuko accept Suica. So you can tap your Suica at any Fuji Kyuko station when you exit.

You may find some more information at Fuji Kyuko Railway official site:

Fuji Kyuko railway official site

I hope this post helps you to change trains at Otsuki station.

Comments

  1. Azimah says:
    March 8, 2017 at 8:46 pm

    i Takeshi,

    I will go from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko.

    1. Can I buy the ticket from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko in Shinjuku or only sold at Otsuki station?

    2. How is Fujisan View train different from other trains? I read online that it gives better view of Mt Fuji (with extra charge) but I can’t find pictures of the different types of trains online.

    3. If I take the Rapid direct train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko do I need to change trains or stay in the same train?

    Many thanks 🙂

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 8, 2017 at 9:54 pm

      Hi Azimah,

      If you take direct rapid train, you can purchase a ticket for Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko and no need to change trains at Otsuki. It’t direct train service.
      If you take any Fuji Kyuko train from Otsuki, you have to purchase a ticket there. Fujisan View train is most luxury train in Fuji Kyuko. Local train is a sort of commute train and nothing special.

      There are some more specialized trains on Fuji Kyuko. Please see the link below:
      http://e.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Cynthia Wijaya says:
    February 27, 2017 at 5:39 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    My friends and I are going to Kawaguchiko Station from Aomori, but we have to transit at Otsuki Station for 5 hours in early morning ( 1.10am – 6.22am). Is there any chair or waiting room that we can use for nap?

    Thanks In Advance 🙂

  3. Rabia Ozawa says:
    February 20, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    If I take the Kaiji 101 arriving Otsuki at 10.37AM, will I make it in time for the Fujisan View 5 which departs at 10.48am?

  4. Chloe says:
    February 6, 2017 at 5:53 am

    Hi There,

    I was wondering if you know if there are luggage storage lockers at Otsuki or Tanokura station??

    I have a small luggage and on my way to Kawaguchiko station I want to visit the Linear Visitor Center to see Maglev train and will need to put my luggage somewhere.

    Thank you!

  5. Pauli says:
    December 13, 2016 at 7:10 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    We’re planning on the return trip from Shimoyoshida – Otsuki – Shinjuku. I’ve checked with Hyperdia on the suggested train routes to take.
    The fastest will be to take Fujikyu train from Shimoyoshida to Otsuki then continue with Limited Express Kaiji 120 from Otsuki to Shinjuku. This routes is perfectly match with my schedule on that particular day.

    My question is the Fujikyu train will arrive in Otsuki at 17:56, while the Kaiji 120 will depart from Otsuki at 18:03; considering the timing, will I have enough time to transfer between the two trains?
    I’ve looked at your Otsuki station platform map, the Fujikyu train will arrive at either track #1 or #2.; but from which track will the Kaiji 120 depart? Is it track #3?
    I will have JR Pass to cover my journey with the Kaiji 120 but not the Fujikyu train. So do I need to exit the platform first when I arrive at Otsuki then enter again with the JR Pass to catch the Kaiji 120 train?

    Thanks for your help.
    cheers,
    Pauli

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 13, 2016 at 11:11 pm

      Hi Pauli,

      7 minutes is way enough to change trains. You can do it in even 2 minutes.
      Kaiji will come at #2 or #3. But it’s not an issue. Just check the signage and you can find it very easily.

      You can go through transfer gate. Just show your JR Pass when you go through transfer gate. You can enter JR Otsuki station easily.

      It’s easy and don’t worry.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Lakshmi says:
    December 11, 2016 at 12:45 am

    Hi.
    For a 1 day trip what would u recommend at Fuji. I am here with 2 teenage kids.

  7. Ken says:
    November 30, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Hello!

    Good info!

    I would like to know if I can buy the Fuji Five Lakes Passport during the transfer.

    I would be coming from Osaka using the JR Pass.

    Regards,
    Ken

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 30, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      Hi Ken,

      If you purchase Fuji Five Lake Passport Fuji Kyuko version (3,550 yen), you can purchase it at Otsuki. If you buy regular version (2,550 yen), you have to go to Kawaguchiko station or Fuji station.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Ann says:
    October 22, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Thanks for your very detailed description – very helpful!
    We would like to visit Oshino Hakkai from Tokyo and take a bullet train back to Tokyo Shinjuku station. Would we also need to transfer at Otsuki station? Would you recommend that we buy a JR pass or is it better to get a single trip ticket?

    Thanks!

  9. Alena says:
    September 8, 2016 at 6:28 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    In your article, you wrote about taking the Fuji Kyuko Railway from Otsuki station to Kawaguchiko station. As I will be using the Tokyo Wide Area Pass, I am wondering if Fuji Kyuko railway is the same as Fujikyu Line? Do I have change platforms to transfer to the Fujikyu Line? Also do I need to reserve seats for the Limited Express from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko?
    Thanks in advance.
    Alena

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 8, 2016 at 11:13 am

      Hi Alena san,

      Fujikyu line is same as Fuji Kyuko Railway. You don’t need to take express trains on Fujikyu line. If you take local train on Fujikyu line, it’s covered by Tokyo Wide Pass fully. But if you take express trains or rapid trains on Fujikyu line, you have to pay extra on top of the pass. Please see the link below to find the seat fare or additional fee:
      http://e.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/

      Fujikyu line platform is different from JR line as you read the above. You need to change the platform.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Alena says:
        September 10, 2016 at 8:58 am

        Hi Takeshi-san,
        Thanks for the clarification. But how do I take the local train on Fujikyu line?How do I differentiate local train and express/rapid train? Will there be signboards to show which platform I have to go? Sorry for asking a silly questions cos this will be my first trip to Japan.
        Thanks.
        Alena

  10. Jason says:
    August 23, 2016 at 7:43 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    First of all, your website is extremely helpful! Thank you!!!

    May you please help give some advise? We are planning to visit Japan during the 2nd half of October 2016. For our trip from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, would we be able to use our JR Pass on the “Holiday-Kaisoku-Fujisan 1” ? And if not, what do I need to do at Otsuki station to get to Kawaguchiko?
    Thank you!!
    Jason

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