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
Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

 

Hotels in Lake Kawaguchi
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Hotels in Kofu

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. Wen says:
    March 23, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Sorry after reading ur sharing, i am clear how to go about taking the train from Shinjuku till Kawaguchiko Station.
    However, can i know if my intention is only to view the Mt Fuji, no climbing, no overnight, where should i headed to after i reach Kawaguchiko Station.
    In addition, i am leaving Nagoya to Kawaguchiko. Do u recommend me to take train from Nagoya to Kawaguchiko or from Nagoya to Shinjuku, then to Otsuki – Kawaguchiko. Please kindly advise.
    Thanks.

    Regards
    Wen

    • JPRail says:
      March 23, 2014 at 8:50 am

      Hi Wen,

      You can see Mt. Fuji at the station. But the shore of Lake Kawaguchi can be accessed from the station by walk. You may find more info at the following link:
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6906.html

      I recommend you to get Shinjuku first. If you don’t take Shinjuku route, you have to get off at Mishima or Shin-Fuji and take a bus. Most of Shinkansen trains skip these stations and it will be complicated.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  2. phung says:
    March 15, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    is it worth to get bus from Kawaguchiko station to 5th station of Fujisan. Is it easily to buy that bus ticket.

    I used to go to Fujisan by a tour. This time I take my mom with me, but not buying a tour. I will use JR kanto pass from shinjuku.

  3. Gigi Angelo says:
    February 22, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    We (we are 5) will be using the JR Kanto Pass on our trip to Mt Fuji on April 1. We will travel from Shibuya Station to Otsuki Station. Now, my problem is how to go to Mt Fuji from Otsuki. We also would like to take the Kachikaci-Yama Ropeway and the Kawaguchico Cruise. Is the Kawaguchico Statioon far from Otsuki?

    Many thanks for your help as we are first time travellers to Japan.

  4. Sunnanta says:
    February 1, 2014 at 2:37 am

    We plan to travel to kawaguchiko on the night of Feb. 15th but we are not sure that there is any train running on that time. Our flight from Hokkaido to narita will land 9:22 pm since our time is short so we would like to straight to kawaguchiko. Is that possible and how can we check the schedule ?

    Thank You,
    Sunanta

  5. Kshama Nagar says:
    December 3, 2013 at 11:36 pm

    I will be visiting Japan April 9-18, 2014. I will be in Tokyo from 12-15 (4 days). If I start very early morning for Mt fuji, for look only from lakes, How much time I should allot? I will have JR pass and staying in Asakusabashi. or take D and E seats from Kyoto to Tokyo and Tokyo to Hiroshima?

  6. Vijay Kunchur says:
    November 13, 2013 at 7:00 am

    Hi Sir,

    We have planned to travel to Kawaguchiko/Kawaguchiko st 5 on the 16th Nov. We are 2 adults and 2 kids 10 and 5 years. Can I buy a return ticket from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko st 5 or I need to buy separately for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko and the Kawaguchiko to Kawaguchiko st 5 bus?

  7. sirada maleerak says:
    October 2, 2013 at 2:38 am

    Dear Sir

    I have to take 17:18 train (LTD. EXP AZUSA 30) begining from MATSUMOTO arriving at OTSUKI in 19:04 and then take Fujikyu Railway at 19:07 to Kawaguchiko. Do you think is it possible for me to have only 3 miniute to transfer to the track.

    thank you for you suggestion
    Sirada

    • JPRail says:
      October 2, 2013 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Sirada,

      You got be hurry, but it’s possible.
      I also recommend you to ask conductor which car will be the nearest to overpass at Otsuki station before arrival. If you will be ready before arrival, it will take just one minute to get Fuji Kyuko ticket gate.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  8. Michelle says:
    September 24, 2013 at 12:06 am

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    Sorry, I just saw your reply. We’ve decided not to do a day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko/Hakone, but simply dedicate 4 days (9th-12th Nov) to Shinjuku/Tokyo, and try to view Mt. Fuji from TMG. before heading for Hiroshima/Miyajima for 2 days. Yes, this way we can take the Nozomi directly from Tokyo. And I think JR Pass is not value for money in this manner. We might just buy Suica + N’EX deal.

    Thank you for your reply!

    Regards
    Michelle

  9. Michelle says:
    August 27, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    We plan to holiday in Japan for about 5 days before leaving for Xi an, China from Hiroshima airport. I am arriving in Tokyo via Narita airport on 9 Nov 2013 (10.40am), we intend to stay in Shinjuku for 2 nights and leave for Hiroshima on 11 Nov 2013. However, we would like to see Mount Fuji before continuing our journey to Hiroshima. But we do not intend to climb or stay overnight in Mount Fuji/ Kawaguchi.

    I read your post on getting to Lake Kawaguchi via Shinjuku and I am wondering if it is possible for us to “drop by Mount Fuji” i.e. leave in the morning (Shinjuku to Mt Fuji), and then travel to Hiroshima (via Shinkansen) in the afternoon/evening from Lake Kawaguchi.

    I would appreciate your kind advice on how/what is the best way to travel if I want to cover Shinjuku-Mount Fuji-Hiroshima at a minimum cost? Should we buy the JR Pass or are there other train travel deals that we can make use of?

    Thank you.

    Regards
    Michelle

    • JPRail says:
      August 27, 2013 at 11:10 pm

      Hi Michelle,

      If you use trains from Narita to Shinjuku, Shinjuku to Otsuki, Otsuki to Hiroshima, total fares will be almost same as Japan Rail Pass 7 days. The segment between Otsuki and Lake Kawaguchi is not covered by JR pass because it’s not JR trains.

      Average fare from Lake Kawaguchi to Hiroshia is around 22000 yen. JR pass 7 days is 28300 yen. That is reason why I recommend you to use 7 days JR pass.

      It is possible to get Hiroshima after visiting Lake Kawaguchi. But it will be very tight. Look at the link below:
      http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf

      It’s timetable for Shinkansen. If you use JR pass, you can’t take Nozomi and Mizuho. So take “N” and “M” out from the timetable above. So your last connection to Hiroshima is H481 at 17:03 from Tokyo. You can transfer to H443 at Shin-Osaka at 20:15. You will get Hiroshima at 22:28. If you take this connection, you will have approximately 3-4 hours at Lake Kawaguchi.

      You may decide it on the spot. If it will be rain, Mt. Fuji cannot be seen. You can skip this trip.

      If you don’t want to use JR Pass, you can take Nozomi that is shown as “N” at above timetable. If you skip the trip to Fuji, total single fares will be slightly cheaper than 7 days pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. JAyre says:
    May 6, 2013 at 2:32 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Looks like you had a great, but rushed time overall!!

    From my personal experience, the Fuji Kyuko staff are really helpful, even if they don’t speak very much English. Both at Otsuki and Kawaguchiko Stations, they really helped me figure out the timetable and pick out the Fujisan Tokkyu and Fuji Tozan Densha times! I have always had a good experience with Fuji Kyuko.

    I do have a question though, and it may have been resolved… but last time I used hyperdia to plan Fuji Kyuko trip, Fuji Tozan Densha was not listed on hyperdia, it is just listed as “rapid” train. Has this changed? Is there a way to tell on hyperdia for Fuji Tozan Densha or should we try to get timetable info elsewhere to take this train?

    Best regards,

    – Jonathan Ayre –

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