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

OtsukiMt. Fuji and Hakone
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

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. Michael says:

    Hello Takeshi san,

    If I arrive in Otsuki at 10.37am on Kaji 101 Ltd Express, do I have time to make the 10.49am departure of Fujisan View Express to Fujisan/Kawaguchiko?

    Also, how do I make booking on the JR Kaji 101 Ltd Express if I am holding a JR Pass?

    Cheers,

  2. Phuong Nguyen says:

    We plan to travel from Fukuoka to Kawaguchiko but at Otsuki, I will have to Change from JR to Non JR train in order to go to Kawaguchiko, JR Pass doesnot cover private rails, does that mean I have to get out, buy ticket and get in again? How does it work? The timetable given seems to be tight (with only a few minutes for train transfer time). The process of changing train and purchasing ticket at Otsuki will take around 10 minutes – longer than the transfer time i specified. Could i purchase ticket before i get to Otsuki? Please, i need help? Thank you

  3. Sandra says:

    Hi Takeshi san ,

    we plan to go to kawaguchiko direct from narita airport on 13/10 @ 9.00am, and i’m wondering should we buy the Tokyo Wide Pass as we only staying one night in Kawaguchiko and we will stay in Tokyo city only for the rest of our trip .

    Thank you so much,
    Sandra

    Reply

  4. Jean Chua says:

    Takeshi san
    Pls advice the best way to and back from Toyko to mt. Fuji 5 th station within 1 day.
    We have purchase a 7 days JR Pass .
    Many thanks.

    Jean Chua.

  5. Jess says:

    Just to clarify, is the trip from Shinjuku to Otsuki on the JR Chuo line free for holders of a JR Pass?

  6. Patrick S. says:

    Hello. First, thank you for your tips. They are very helpful.

    My question is as follows:

    I want to save money coz we are in Japan for 13 days. I got the 14-day JR Pass for me and my family of 6 so we have been to Osaka, Kyoto and now in Tokyo until tomorrow, then back to Osaka tomorrow because our flight out is in Kansai airport were we arrived. I already have booked Shinkansen tickets tomorrow to Osaka, and will do a side trip to Hiroshima before we head to our Air BnB house in Namba. This trip has been quite expensive but it’s okay coz my family is very very very happy & loves Japan.

    *Can you please provide a suggestion how to see Mt Fuji even from a distance or even not the best view, but using “only” my JR Pass so I can save money.

    Thank You very much for your kind help.

  7. Aileen says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    It’s me again. Just wondering if I can reserve seats for Fujisan View Express or Fujisan Express in advance. Do you know of any link I can use?

    Thanks again!

    Aileen

  8. Aileen says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    My family will be using the Tokyo Wide Pass and we plan to go to Kawaguchiko on May 3 from Shinjuku via the Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan No. 1. Is there any way we could reserve our seats before arriving in Japan? I know it is golden week and I want to ensure that we would have seats on that day. I tried using eki-net but I cannot find the Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan line there even if I adjust the date. Also, if ever we use that, I understand that we don’t need to transfer trains in Otsuki. Is there any way we could use the Panoramic car for Fujisan?

    Thank you so much,
    Aileen

    • Hi Aileen,

      If you used Eki-net (Japanese site), you supposed to be able to book Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan. Please see the link below to find the list of trains which you can book.
      https://www.eki-net.com/top/jrticket/guide/reserve/train_ticket2.html?train-kind=3&area=2&area=3&x=94&y=40

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Aileen says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thank you so much for replying to my message. I tried using the English site of eki-net and I still couldn’t see the Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan line. I tried the link you sent (Japanese site) but unfortunately, I cannot figure it out as I can’t understand Japanese 🙁

        Do you know of any other way aside from eki-net where I could reserve seats for the Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan line?

        Thanks a lot!
        Aileen

        • Hi Aileen,

          If you used English site, you cannot book Holiday Kaisoku unfortunately. You cannot book it at other than Japanese site. You have to try to get it after you arrive in Japan.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Aileen says:

            Hi Takeshi,

            I just decided to book the Azusa and Kaiji lines to and from Shinjuku just to be sure that I have back-up plans in case I cannot get tickets for the Holiday Kaisoku Fujisan line when we arrive in Tokyo. Thank you very much again for your help. I really appreciate it. 🙂

            Aileen

  9. kuna says:

    Hello, I’m travelling with my aunty who requires a wheelchair, are there elevators on otsuki station (will need to transfer from kawaguchiko -> otsuki -> takao/shinjuku)

  10. Linh says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Thank you very much for this post. As I’m planning to go to Fuji area by train, I find this post very helpful.
    I plan to arrive in Otsuki station by Ltd Express Train Super Azusa with my JR Pass, and then use Fujigoko Passport the 3550 yen version. I’d like to know if I can buy Fujigoko Passport at Otsuki station? Do I need to go to transfer gate to purchase this?

    Thank you,
    Linh

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