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 Takeshi-san,
Can I please check if the Limited Express Kaiji 101 from Shinjuku to Otsuki is covered by the JR Pass?
Thank you.
Kim
Hi Kim san,
Yes, it’s covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi can I use icoco instead of buying the ticket for Fuji Kyuko train.
Hi Zda,
Yes, you can.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I bought JR Pass. Plan to travel from Kyoto to Kawaguchiko.
Based on Hyperdia, most of the route is take MT.FUJI for KAWAGUCHIKO at HACHIOJI station.
Does JR pass cover this? Must I reserve the seat?
Hi Lee san,
Hachioji is covered. But the easiest route is the following:
Kyoto (Shinkansen) Mishima (Bus) Kawaguchiko
There are some “Hikari” on Shinkansen stop at Mishima:
https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
And then take Fujikyu express bus from Mishima to Kawaguchiko:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/29
This bus is not covered by JR Pass but if you take Hachioji route, you have to pay for Fuji Kyuko railway. Bus fare is higher than Fuji Kyuko railway but you can get easier and faster route. I think it’s worth paying this extra cost.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thanks for your prompt reply and information.
May I know how do I pay for Fuji Kyuko railway?
How do I know the train is not on JR railway?
For the bus, i am just worried am I able to reserve successfully as I find it is a bit challenge to seek help when I have issue.
Thanks
Hi Lee san,
In most cases, you have to change trains at Otsuki station. So when you enter Fuji Kyuko railway, you have to purchase a ticket at the ticket window or a vending machine. Some trains go through Fuji Kyuko railway from JR line. If you take this type of train, you can pay extra charge when you exit Kawaguchiko station. Just show your JR pass and they correct a fare for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san.
I came across your page when I wanted to find a route to Otsuki station.. So I want to go to Kawaguchiko but through Otsuki station so I can ride the fujikyu express ( the train with mt.Fuji ornaments) but I don’t buy any pass.. Can you suggest any transportation for us from Tokyo to Otsuki station without have to pay for the pass?
Hi Fransisca san,
Simply you can purchase a regular fare ticket at Tokyo. If you intend to take limited express train, “Azusa” or “Kaiji”, you can purchase a ticket at any JR stations in downtown Tokyo in advance. If you intend to use IC card, Suica or Pasmo, you can use it instead of purchasing a base fare ticket. Please see the link below to find more info about a regular fare ticket.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your reply Takeshi san..
Now I know about the train from Tokyo to Otsuki station.. but I’m not sure that the train that I will take will match the time for the fujisan express train. I tried to open in official site, but there is no explanation about the train that I want. Can you help me to understand what time is the train with Mt. Fuji picture?
Hi Fransisca san,
I think you meant Fujisan Express.
http://e.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/
Please see the link below. It is a timetable which is written in Japanese mostly but you can find the station name in English.
http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/pdf/jikokuhyou_20170304.pdf
Fujisan Express (フジサン特急) leave Otsuki at 10:02, 12:55, and 15:55.
Cheers,
Takeshi
Hi Takeshi-san,
I came across this page trying to outline my trip from Osaka to Lake Kawaguchiko.
Are you able to help me plan out the best way to get there, and what train passes I will need for the whole trip? I’m having a hard time understanding these details in Hyperdia, cost, passes, etc.
Thank you
Lea
Hi Lea san,
The best way is the following:
Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen) Mishima (Express bus) Lake Kawaguchi
You may find some more info in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-fuji-area-various-sample-itineraries-of-fuji-five-lakes-and-5th-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I will be going to Shimoyoshida station from Osaka. I see from Hyperdia that I would have 7 minutes to change train/platform but it doesn’t state the track numbers. Is it enough to get ourselves there + purchase tickets? I am worried that purchasing tickets will take time.
Hi Sarah san,
7 minutes is okay to change trains and purchasing a ticket. Otsuki station is not a big terminal station.
By the way, the following route may be faster for the trip to Shimoyoshida from Osaka.
Shin-Osaka to Mishima by Shinkansen
Mishima to Kawaguchiko by express bus
Kawaguchiko to Shimoyoshida by Fujikyu train
Please see the link below to learn more:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-fuji-area-various-sample-itineraries-of-fuji-five-lakes-and-5th-station.html
You can find the timetable for Shinkansen and express bus in the links below:
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/29
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you, Takeshi san! Appreciate your prompt response.
I have the JR pass so I think I have to take the longer route without the bus. My route:
Shin-Osaka – Shin-Yokohama – Hachioji – Otsuki – Shimoyoshida
Hope it makes sense!
Hi Sarah san,
You can take this route. You can save 1,500 yen than using Mishima-Kawaguchiko bus route. But trip time may be one hour longer than bus route.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Got it, thanks so much!
No worries, Sarah san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San
Is there a way for a disabled person (wheelchair) to get from platform 4 to platform 3 at Otsuki station?
Regards
Susan
Hi Susan san,
There are elevators.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e331.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi san,
If you take Limited Express Kaiji from Shinjuku, does it arrive at Track 4?
From Track 4, do we take an elevator to the top and walk across to the other end and take the elevator to the ground level to Track 3.
We only have 10 mins in total to change to Fujisan Express.
Thank you
Susan
Hi Susan san,
It sometimes arrives at track #3. If so, it’s much easier. If it arrives at track #4, as you think, you can go up by elevator and go down at the other end. 10 minutes is okay to transfer.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi san
Thank you very much for your quick help.
Cheers
Susan
No worries, Susan san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
I’m trying to make sense of this chart e.fujikyu-railway.jp for finding out cost of fare from Otsuki station to Kawaguchiko station. Do I go horizontally from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. Or vertically?
Please advise.
Thank you,
Hi,
Actually I don’t understand what you meant. But base fare is 1140 yen for this segment. If you take limited express or Fuji tozan densha, you need to pay extra, such as seating ticket, express ticket. You can find the exact fare at “transfer/fare search” in the link which you gave me.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
I am planning to take the 10.49am Fujisan View Express No 5 from Otsuki Station to Fujisan Station and planning on hyperdia, as I will be coming from Okubo station near Shinjuku it gives me the following connection:
Okubo Dep 9.24am (JR Chuo/Sobu local line)
Mitaka Arr 9.44am
Mitaka Dep 9.47am (Ltd Express Kaiji 101)
Otsuki Arr 10.37am
Otsuki Dep 10.49am (Fujisan View Express 5)
Fujisan Arr 11.28am
1. Are the connection times at Mitaka and Otsuki enough to make the transfer? Especially Mitaka this is only 3 minutes?
2. Is the Ltd Express Kaiji covered by the JR Pass and do we make a reservation for this train beforehand? If reservation is optional, where can we make the reservation anyways?
Cheers,
Michael
Hi Michael san,
You should take Kaiji 101 at Shinjuku. Okubo is one station away from Shinjuku. Kaiji 101 depart from Shinjuku at 09:30.
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_lex_chuo_d/02.html
You don’t need to change trains at Mitaka.
12 minutes is enough to change trains at Otsuki.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you, I did see this also and know that Okubo is one station away. For some reason hyperdia likes to disagree with us.
Can you please tell me if we catch the train from Okubo to Shinjuku, how much transfer time do we need to catch the Kaiji 101 from Shinjuku? Are the platforms close to each other?
Would you also know any advise for the Fujikyuko bus from Fujisan station to Gotemba, are we able to make reservation online or how can we make reservation before we travel?
Cheers,
Michael
Hi Michael san,
You need to move from #13 to #9/#10. Please see the link below to find Shinjuku station map:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e866.html
10 minutes is okay to change trains.
Reservation cannot be made for the bus to Gotemba from Fujisan station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks again Takeshi san,
Well noted and thanks for the lin to the map.
Is the Ltd Express Kaiji covered by the JR Pass and do we make a reservation for this train beforehand? If reservation is optional, where can we make the reservation anyways?
Cheers,
Michael
Hi Michael san,
You can book it by JR pass at any Midori no Madoguchi.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I would like to go kawaguchiko from yokohama station. Any recommendation on which route and train should i choose. I dont have any pass. Should i get one? And will i be able to get the train anytime from ostuki to kawaguchiko or is there any specific time?
Hi Mirul san,
You may go to Shibuya or Shinjuku to catch the express bus to Kawaguchiko.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/
You can get Shibuya or Shinjuku by JR train or Tokyu railway train easily.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com