Fujikyuko Line


The Fujikyuko Line is a Japanese private railway line in Yamanashi Prefecture, between Ōtsuki Station in Ōtsuki and Kawaguchiko Station in Fujikawaguchiko. It is the only railway line operated by Fuji Kyuko.
The railway line officially consists of the Ōtsuki Line and Kawaguchiko Line, but the two lines are operated as one. The line can be traced back to the Tsuru Horse-drawn Tramway which began operation in 1900.

Service outline

Local trains run about every 30 minutes. As well as these, several Fujisan Tokkyu services are operated. The line is mountainous, climbing from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko : a 500-metre ascent over the 26.6 kilometre route. In many places, Mount Fuji can be seen from the train.
The Fujikyuko Line is the only railway service to access the northern Yamanashi side of Mount Fuji and Fuji Five Lakes, part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. However, direct and frequent highway bus services from Shinjuku terminal to Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko are faster and more convenient when travelling from Tokyo. There are not many direct services from Tokyo to the Fuji Kyūkō Line apart from a few seasonal rapid trains at weekends and some local commuter trains.
Fuji Kyuko railway and bus lines accept Pasmo, Suica, and other IC farecards. The railway was provided with the capability from 14 March 2015.

Basic data

It is a single-track railway, but there are passing loops at about half the stations. The Ōtsuki Line runs roughly SW from Ōtsuki to Fujisan), and the Kawaguchiko Line runs roughly NW from Fujisan to Kawaguchiko.

Stations

Legend
O: Trains stop at this station
|: Trains do not stop at this station

History

The Tsuru Horse-drawn Tramway opened a gauge line from Tsurushi to Shimoyoshida in 1900. In 1903, the Fuji Horse-drawn Tramway opened a gauge line from Otsuki to Kasei, the same year the Tsuru Horse-drawn Tramway was extended from Tsurushi to Kasei, and from Shimoyoshida to Fuji-yoshida.In 1921, the two companies merged, converted the Otsuki to Kasei section to 762 mm gauge, and electrified the line.
On 18 September 1926, the Fuji Electric Railway was founded, and on 19 June 1929, it started operating a new line from Otsuki to Fuji-yoshida, electrified at 1,500 V DC overhead. The line was extended from Fuji-yoshida to Kawaguchiko, opening on 24 August 1950. The operating company was renamed Fujikyuko from 25 May 1960.
Freight services on the line were discontinued from 1 April 1978.

Rolling stock

The last remaining 2000 series set was withdrawn after its final run on 7 February 2016.