Native name 富士急行線 Termini ŌtsukiKawaguchiko Opened September 21, 1900 | Stations 18 | |
 | ||
The Fujikyuko Line (富士急行線, Fuji-Kyūkō-sen) 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.
Contents
The railway line officially consists of the Ōtsuki Line (大月線, Ōtsuki-sen) and Kawaguchiko Line (河口湖線, Kawaguchiko-sen), but the two lines are operated as one. The line can be traced back to the Tsuru Horse-drawn Tramway (都留馬車鉄道) which began operation in 1900.
Service outline
Local trains (which stop at all stations) run about every 30 minutes. As well as these, several Fujisan Tokkyu (Mount Fuji express) services are operated. The line is mountainous, climbing from Otsuki (358 metres above sea level) to Kawaguchiko (857 metres above sea level): 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 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 on the weekend and some commuter local 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
Stations
Legend
Station stops - O: Trains stop, *: Some passing trains, |: Trains pass.History
The Tsuru Horse-drawn Tramway opened a 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge line from Tsurushi to Shimoyoshida in 1900. In 1903, the Fuji Horse-drawn Tramway opened a 610 mm (2 ft) 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 (present-day Fujisan). 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 (富士山麓電気鉄道) was founded, and on 19 June 1929, it starting operating a new 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) 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
Former rolling stock
The last remaining 2000 series set was withdrawn after its final run on 7 February 2016.