Otsuki Station
Otsuki Station
@flickr/ S_e_i
Yamanashi is one of the prefectures that is home to Mount Fuji, sharing the venerable mountain with the neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture at their border. This area is rich in natural scenery and charming towns, and one of those standout communities is that of Otsuki.
This town is located amongst the Chichibu and Tanazawa Mountains and at the headwaters of the Sagami River, known as the “Katsura River” by the locals. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. Otsuki is largely notable for its high number of artifacts from the Jomon era, the earliest period of Japan that is actually considered pre-history. These ancient artifacts can be seen at local museums.
Station Overview
Otsuki Station is the primary train station at the center of the town that goes out to other parts of the area, including out to Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. Otsuki Station is owned and operated by Japan Railways as well as Fujikyuko. There are two main lines: the Chuo Main Line that goes out to Shinjuku Station and the Fujikyuko Line that goes out towards Mount Fuji and Kawaguchko, also in Yamanashi. The station is divided into two different sections that are operated by their respective companies. There are three total tracks on the JR side and two on the Fujikyuko side. The JR side also has a “Midori no Madoguchi” customer service center.
Otsuki Station platforms
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From the exterior, Otsuki Station is reminiscent of a log cabin, reflecting the nature-rich surroundings of the area. Though the station is not anywhere near as large or busy compared to Shinjuku Station that it is connected to, it still sees prominent traffic for both locals and travelers. 5,000 to 6,000 commuters go through the station on a daily basis.
What to do around Otsuki
Even though Otsuki City, located in the center of Yamanashi, is just one direct train ride from Tokyo's Shinjuku Station, the two have completely different vibes. While Tokyo boasts an abundance of urban features, Otsuki's buildings are situated under the shadow of the tall mountains that form the city's perimeter. There are numerous hiking trails and nature walks in these mountains. The most well-known mountain near the city is probably Mount Iwadono, but don't let its imposing presence scare you away—the 45-minute hike to the top is comparatively easy and well worth it for the stunning vistas of the surroundings. The mountain’s hiking entrance is a modest 8 minute bus ride from Otsuki Station.
Taro Jiro Falls and Saruhashi Bridge are two more excellent locations to appreciate the local environment. According to legend, the arms of the monkeys in the Otsuki area were linked to create the distinctive architecture of the Saruhashi Bridge. It is recognized as one of Japan's three "unusual bridges" due to its intriguing design. The roaring river and rock formations are visible below. Saruhashi Bridge is accessible via the bus network in Otsuki.
A collection of Jomon era artifacts found in Otsuki can be seen on display at the Otsuki City Museum. These include excavated hand tools used by ancient people and other items! The rich history of Otsuki can be seen at this museum, and it’s only 18 minutes away by public transport from the station.
Saruhashi Bridge
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Mount Fuji as seen from the mountains in Otsuki
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