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 plan to go from Kawaguchiko to Katsunumabudokyo via Otsuki. I only have 3 minutes to complete the transfer because the train from Kawaguchiko arrives at 12:45 and the train for Katsunuma leaves at 12:48.
If I have a JR rail pass, do I still need to buy a ticket at Otsuki for the trip to Kawaguchiko? I’m worry that I don’t have enough time to transfer to the other train.
Thanks,
Vincent
Hi Vincent,
If you make a trip to Kawaguchiko, you have to purchase a ticket for Fuji Kyuko. But you will travel from Kawaguchiko. All you have to do is showing JR pass at the ticket gate and moving to the platform for the train to Katsunuma. You can make it in 3 minutes easily.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
That’s great! Thank you so much for your help.
Vincent
No problem, Vincent.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
My trip to Japan is early Nov, and only have 1 day round trip to kawaguchiko lake, can you please tell us :
1. what is best time to go to kawaguchiko from tokyo sta.?
2. is it just walking from kawaguchiko sta. to the lake ?
3. can i go to gotemba premium outlet from kawaguchiko sta. ? how ? still have much time ?
4. what is the last time train go back to tokyo again?
thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Timmy
Hi Timmy,
1. Weekday is better than weekend. I cannot say anything about weather.
2. 15 minutes by walk to get lake shore.
3. It takes 1 hour 30 minutes by bus. The fare is 1510 yen. Timetable is available only in Japanese.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/signage-and-announcement-in-the-station-and-train.html
Lake Kawaguchi = 河口湖駅
Gotemba outlet = 御殿場プレミアムアウトレット
Those are the first and the last rows in the table.
4. If you go back to Tokyo from Lake Kawaguchi, 20:51 is the last train from Lake Kawguchi. If you go back from outlet, you may take a bus. Please see the link below:
http://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/gotemba/access/bus/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I will be travelling up to Kawaguichiko from 1 to 3 Nov. I will be using JR Pass to go up on 1st and will pay transfer as advised above at Otsuki. My question are this and hope you could help :
a. I will be staying 20 mins from Fujisan Station. How to get up on train/bus from Fujisan Stn to Kawaguichiko Stn? Do I need to book any trains?
b. My JR pass will expire on 2nd so for trip down to Shinjuku, is there any suggestion for transport as I would still be in Tokyo for another 3 days.
Thanks in advance if you could help as I am getting giddy from checking all the schedules
Hi JP Chan,
a. Reservation is not required. Just hop on the train.
b. The easiest way to get back to Tokyo is highway bus. You can find the info at the link below:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
[…] 3. From Otsuki, take Fujisan Express (located next to Otsuki Station) which has frequency of every 30 minutes. The price is slightly higher but it has only has 3 stops (two of them are Fujisan and Kawaguchiko). So, you will reach the destination faster. We stopped at Kawaguchiko and take the bus to 5th station of Yoshida Trail. Here is the detail guide at Otsuki Station :Fuji Express Guide […]
I there,
can i buy suica card at haneda airport?
can i use this card to take keikyu airport express or any transport to get shinjuku from haneda?
Hi Bages,
Yes, you can.
You can take all trains in Tokyo by Suica. You may purchase Pasmo at keihin kyuko station. You can use Pasmo same way as Suica.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
I want to visit Kawaguchiko from Shinjuku. I’m going to use JR Pass for Limited Express Kaiji to Otsuki. And Fujisan Express free ticket for Fujisan Limited Express to Kawaguchiko.
So, can I buy Fujisan Express free ticket at the transfer gate in Otsuki station or should I leave the station to buy it?
Hi Sketch,
You can purchase it at transfer gate. I have done it before.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I have booked two nights of hotel in Five Lakes for Oct 7 & 8, 2015 and going back to Tokyo on 9 Oct. I would like to go Hakone as well.
Should I get the Mt Fuji roundtrip pass (but this only for 2 days), and can I use the pass to travel back to Tokyo on 9 Oct?
Or should I buy the Fuji Hakone Free Pass for 3 days? But this pass will not allow me to back track? If I go to Hakone on 8 Oct, I would need to go back to my hotel at Kawaguchiko. How can I go to both Fuji & Hakone with this Fuji Hakone Free Pass.
Any help you can offer me on buying a pass would be most appreciated.
Hi Susan,
You cannot use Fuji round trip ticket because it’s valid for 2 days and it does not cover Hakone. Fuji Hakone Pass is the best for your trip. You can take a bus to get Hakone from Lake Kawaguchi via Gotemba. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I will be visiting Fujikawaguchiko from Kawagoe,
1: I’ll be using JR Chuo Line, google map shown me that I can ride from Kokubunji station continue on the same vehicle all the way to Kawaguchiko Station, is it right?
2: it arrive at 10:05 p.m. is it your latest train to your station?
please advise. Thank you so much in advance.
Hi Peggy,
If you want to take a train to Kawaguchiko station directly, this is the last train. But if you are okay to transfer at Otsuki station, there are 3 more trains from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko, The last one leave Otsuki at 23:10 and arrive Kawaguchiko at 0:05. There are lots of trains to get Otsuki on Chuo line. You can find it at Hyperdia too.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I’m buying JR 7 days Pass. I need guidance, I will be coming from Shinjuku to otsuki, I understand that the Fujikyu Railway is not covered, Once I reached the Otsuku station I don’t need to go out of the station there is a transfer gate that I can purchase the ticket for the Fujikyu Railway ride is that correct? thanks for the help. I am quite lost on how to go to Kawaguchiko from Shinjuku using the JR pass. thanks
Regards,
Maria
Hi Maria,
There is a transfer gate in Otsuki station. You can pay the fare for Fuji Kyuko there. You don’t need to exit a station.
You may find some more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/passengers-review/2013-winter-tohoku-nagano-trip/trip-to-tohoku-and-nagano-in-2013-winter-part-6-round-trip-to-kawaguchiko-from-shinjuku-by-azusa-and-fuji-kyuko.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I have some questions.
1.Is it possible to go from Shinjuku station directly to Otsuki station with a Suica card? Or do I have to go from Shinjuku-Takao-Otsuki?
2. If I have a Suica card, do I have to pay for Limited Express train to reach Otsuki? If yes, how and where should I buy it?
Thanks!
Hi Clary,
You can use Suica for Shinjuku-Otsuki directly. Suica cannot be used for limited express supplement ticket. You can purchase at Shinjuku station before boarding.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail