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.
| Track# | Destination |
| 1,2 | Fujisan, Fuji-Q Highland, Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) |
| Track# | Destination |
| 3 | Kofu, Kobuchizawa, Matsumoto (A few trains to Takao, Hachioji, Shinjuku) |
| 4 | Takao, Hachioji, Shinjuku (A few trains to Kofu, Kobuchizawa, Matsumoto) Trains go through Fuji Kyuko line to/from JR line. |
| 5 | Takao, Hachioji, Shinjuku |
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.
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
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
Hi,
I will departure from Shinano-Omachi to Kawaguchiko. Can I buy direct train ticket for 2 different train company which are JR Line and Fujikyu Railway from Shinano-Omachi Station? Thank you.
Hi Lyana,
As far as I know, you cannot purchase it. You can purchase it from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko because there is a direct train. But no direct train is available from Shinano-Omachi to Kawaguchiko and you cannot purchase it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
If I arrived at Otsuki Station on 18:01 from Kofu and the next train to Kawaguchiko will leave on 18:06, do I still have the time to purchase the ticket and catch the train?
Hi Lyana,
Yes, you can do it in 5 minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I have a purchased train ticket that only gets me to Otsuki. I still need to get to kawaguchiko. Is the transfer gate two separate gates where I can give my finished ticket to leave the station and use my suica card to enter the other station?
Hi Allie,
You can pass the ticket for Otsuki to station staff at transfer gate. And then you can touch your Suica to get Fuji Kyuko. You don’t need to go through two separate gates.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Do you think it is possible to transfer from the Fujikyu line to the JR Express Line in only 5 minutes?
If the train I am taking from Fujikyu stops at the platform (on time) at 17:55, can I make it to the JR Express Line on the other platform and board the train which leaves at 18:01?
Hi Greg,
Yes, it’s easy. You will be able to make it in 2 minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Should I expect the Fujikyu train to be on time? I have heard that most trains in Japan are nearly perfect in their arrivals and departures.
Yes, Greg.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I’m wondering should I reserve the ticket if I’m planning to use Jr chuo line from otsuki to takao? Thankyou
Hi Vincent,
If you take a local train, not required and actually you can’t book it. It’s a sort of commute train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
My trip start from Osaka. I will go to Kawaguchiko, via Takayama and Mutsumoto, by car. Then I will go to Tokyo by train. Can I buy suica at Otsuki station?
Thanks
Hi Ae,
Yes. You can purchase it at Otsuki station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi…,
I’m plan to go to Kawaguchiko for round trip from Tokyo and going back again to Tokyo with my JR Pass, what time does the first and last train schedule from Kawaguchiko to Shinjuku?
Thanks
Hi Kartika,
Usually, 7:00 am departure train from Shinjuku is the first train that connects to Fuji Kyuko train at Otusuki. The last train depart fro Kawaguchiko around 21:00. The timetable is slightly different week day and weekend. Please find it at Hyperdia.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
If you don’t know how to use it, please find more info at the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jnto.go.jp%2Feng%2Fpdf%2Ftransportation%2FShinjuku_Kawaguchiko_schedule.pdf&ei=TNpSU_-COoyf7Abi3YHoBA&usg=AFQjCNG7i-WReql3r7luSSJaywuMILdkCw
is the link to the schedule I found online.
Hi Terry,
I answered all of your questions to this inquiry.
First of all, there are two seasonal trains between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. Those are Holiday Rapid Fujisan and Fuji Shibazakura train.
Regarding Holiday Rapid Fujisan, please see the following link. You will find it in the middle of the post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2014-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html
Next one, Fuji Shibazakura’s timetable is the following:
Shinjuku 8：33 – Kawaguchiko 11：00
Kawaguchiko 17：26 – Shinjuu 19：53
So Hyperdia is right.
If you get these above trains, you don’t need to transfer at Otsuki. But the fare for Otsuki – Kawaguchiko is extra on top of JR pass. You can take any trains between Shinjuku and Otsuki, like Limited Express Kaiji and Azusa by JR Pass. However even if you take direct train from Shinjuku, Otsuki – Kawaguchiko is extra.
The differences between Rapid and Azusa/Kaiji are the type of fleet and fare. Rapid is operated by old type limited express fleet. Azusa and Kaiji are operated by more updated fleet and faster. But if you take Azusa or Kaiji, you need to transfer at Otsuki. You will spend sometime at Otsuki to transfer. Total trip time is not much different from direct rapid trains. And regarding fare, it’s not an issue for you. If you use single ticket, rapid can be taken by only base fare. But as long as you use JR Pass, it covers express surcharge too. So it’s same.
At last, I’m not very familiar with highway bus. But mostly on the last day of golden week, the direction to Tokyo is very busy. And other direction is much lighter traffic. But I’m not 100% sure.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Follow up to my question, I also made reservations on the Highway bus leaving for Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko at 7:40. Suppose to arrive in about 1 hour 50 mins. Do you think the road will be very busy considering it being a holiday (May 6 – last day of Golden Week). However, it’s also so early in the morning. What do you think? I don’t mind a little traffic, but if we’re talking being stuck in the road for hours, I think not. Thanks again.
Please address my earlier question as well. Thank you.
I’m a bit confused reading your post. I want to go to Fuji Shibazakura on May 6. I have a JR Pass. How often are the Holiday Kawaguchiko trains from Shinjuku? (May 6 is still part of the Golden Week isn’t it?) Do you have the schedule by any chance? Or direct me to where it can be found?
I have found something but really not sure. I can forward the PDF for you but there’s no attachment in comments.
So according to you, they operate between Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. According to you, we still need to get off the train at platform #4 at Otsuki, west gate, and then find the Fuji Kyuko transfer gate, for another train? So how is that different from any other trains from Shinjuku?
According to Hyperdia, on May 6, fro Shinjuku (JR) to Kawaguchiko, there’s
8:14 Holiday Rapid Mt. Fuji, 2460 Yen
8:33 Fuji Shibazakura Mat Suri, 2460 Yen
Are these the holiday trains you are talking about? Also, both seem to bypass Ostuki altogether in Hyperdia. Can you explain because I think Hyperdia may be making a mistake. Are these trains covered by the JR Pass?
Are these Holiday Kawaguchiko trains different from the Azusa trains? I believe they’re different. (do you also happen to have the schedule for them as well? When taking them, I think you mention we will need to get off at at Otsuki and transfer right?
Lastly, there’s also the Kaji trains from Shinjuku. Are they covered by the JR Pass as well?
Thanks
Does the JR pass cover the Otsuki-kawaguchi line?
Hi Fred,
No. Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail