Located in eastern Yamanashi Prefecture, Otsuki Station is a key transportation terminal connecting the JR Chuo Main Line from Tokyo and the Fujikyu Railway toward the Fuji Five Lakes area. The station serves as the gateway to the majestic Mt. Fuji area for many visitors. Due to its location, it is more than just a transit point, it is a charming travel base.
To go to the Mt. Fuji area, take the Fuji Excursion Limited Express, which offers four round trips daily from Shinjuku and connects directly to Kawaguchiko Station on the Fujikyu Railway Line. To transfer from JR lines, passengers must get off at Otsuki Station and take the Fujikyu Railway Line. It will take approximately 50 minutes to reach Kawaguchiko Station.

The tourist information center just outside the station provides information on transportation and sightseeing for the surrounding area, as well as multilingual brochures. It also sells typical Otsuki souvenirs made by local artisans or inspired by Mt. Fuji.

Otsuki is often seen solely as a transfer point for the Mt. Fuji area, but it also offers many attractions. A must-visit spot is Saruhashi Bridge. Counted among Japan's Three Unique Bridges, it has a very rare and beautiful wooden structure.
Otsuki also runs a stamp rally to allow visitors to enjoy the city when transferring to the Mt. Fuji area. Through this initiative, visitors can receive prizes when visiting specific spots within Otsuki. Why not try to complete this challenge during your train transfer?

Each year, various events liven up the Mt. Fuji area, which is accessible from Otsuki Station, making it very crowded during certain periods due to its popularity around the world.

1. Congestion during the Mt. Fuji climbing season (Summer)
Peak season: During the Mt. Fuji climbing season (generally from early July to early September), the trails are very crowded, especially from Fridays to Sundays and during the consecutive holidays starting from Mountain Day on August 11th through Obon.
To avoid crowds, we recommend climbing the mountain on a weekday. Additionally, early July and late August to early September tend to be less crowded, but thorough preparation is essential due to the harsh heat.

2. Autumn foliage around Lake Yamanaka and Diamond Fuji (Autumn to winter)

Yamanakako Autumn Leaves Festival:The peak viewing period for autumn foliage around Lake Yamanaka typically runs from late October to early November. The festival is held at the particularly scenic Asahigaoka Lakeside Greenspace Park (in the maple corridor), attracting large crowds of visitors. Peak congestion occurs on weekends and holidays. In the evening and at night, when the trees are illuminated, parking lots and surrounding roads tend to be especially crowded. Please note that some buses heading to or returning from the venue may be full.
Diamond Fuji: Late October to late February tends to be crowded in specific viewing spots where visitors gather to admire and photograph “Diamond Fuji,” a phenomenon when the sun aligns perfectly with the peak of Mt. Fuji.

Additionally, roads and lakeside areas become crowded during Golden Week and summer (late July to August), when many visitors on vacation come for swimming and camping, and during New Year’s when people come to view the first sunrise of the year. As Lake Yamanaka is a popular tourist destination for both Japanese and overseas visitors, some areas tend to be very crowded when their respective vacation seasons overlap. We recommend allowing ample time for travel.

The Mt. Fuji area offers many convenient services for wide-area travel to accommodate the high number of tourists visiting from overseas.

1. Wide-area pass: Fuji Hakone Pass
This discounted pass is exclusively for people visiting Japan from overseas who do not have a Japanese passport. It is popular with travelers wishing to visit both the Mt. Fuji and Hakone areas at once. It is valid for 3 days, and users can choose between 2 departures: Shinjuku and Odawara. The pass provides unlimited rides on designated trains, buses, ropeways, a pirate ship, and more in the Hakone and Mt. Fuji areas. You can also obtain special benefits by showing your pass to the staff at over 90 facilities in both areas. It can be purchased in many stations, including Otsuki, Shinjuku, and Kawaguchiko. Please check the official website for more information.

2. Unlimited ride pass for the Mt. Fuji area: Mt. Fuji Pass
This is a discounted sightseeing pass exclusively for international visitors traveling to the Mt. Fuji area. The pass is valid for 1 to 3 days and offers unlimited rides on designated sections of the Fujikyu Railway Line, route buses in the Fuji Five Lakes area, and admission to certain tourist facilities. You must present your passport when purchasing a pass. Please check the official website for more information.

3. Digital services and multilingual support
Mobile tickets for Mt. Fuji Climbers' Bus: The only way to reach Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station (Yoshida Trail), the base for climbing Mt. Fuji, is by bus due to restrictions on personal vehicle use. You can either take a direct bus from Shinjuku, Kawaguchiko, and Fujisan Stations, or you can leave your car in one of the parking lots at the base of Mt. Fuji and take a shuttle bus to Fuji Subaru Line Fifth Station. Passengers once had to line up for a long time at ticket counters to purchase bus tickets. To alleviate crowds and improve convenience, Mt. Fuji Climbers' Bus tickets to the Fifth Station are now sold as mobile tickets with multilingual support (Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and six other languages). You can easily book your tickets in advance and pay via your smartphone on the QUICK TRIP web app or Japan Transit Planner app, both provided by Fujikyu Bus.

Otsuki is home to a station that serves as a key hub connecting Tokyo to the Mt. Fuji area, as well as hidden gems, like the unique Saruhashi Bridge. When planning your