Fuji Kyūkō Line

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Fuji-san Limited Express EMU

The Fuji Kyūkō Line (富士急行線, Fuji Kyūkō-sen^?) is a Japanese private railway line in Yamanashi Prefecture, between Ōtsuki Station, Ōtsuki and Kawaguchiko Station, Fujikawaguchiko. This is the only railway line Fuji Kyūkō (富士急行^?, "Fuji Express") operates; the company's major business field is leisurely accommodations, such as Fuji-Q Highland and golf courses. The line is commonly called Fuji-Q (富士急, Fujikyū^?).

The railway line officially consists of 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 Horsecar (都留馬車鉄道^?) which began operation in 1900. Although Fuji Kyūkō bus lines accept PASMO its railway line still does not.

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.

Fuji Kyūkō 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.

Basic data

Distance (Ōtsuki — Kawaguchiko): 26.6 km
- Ōtsuki Line (Ōtsuki — Fujiyoshida): 23.6 km
- Kawaguchiko Line (Fujiyoshida — Kawaguchiko): 3.0 km
Gauge: 1,067 mm
Stations: 18
Track: single
Power: electric 1500 V DC
Railway signalling: Automatic