It depends which Pass you choosing. If JR Rail Pass. It covered all Azusa. Because "Azusa" run from JR East to JR Central. If you select any JR East Pass / JR Central Pass will not covered you on Azusa
Forget about Shinonoi/Chuo Local / Rapid Train. Just focus on next "Azusa"

Hi sensei, I tried searching both Navitime and Maps, and both show that the Azusa will need to transfer to Kaiji train at Kofu station, is this the right one that you were referring to?

Guys, need help, do kastam check our item? Planning to pack in a box to bring back some goods

Take note to ask when you check in at Penang or KLIA if your luggage will pass-through all the way to CTS.

If not, you may need to get out immigration & customs at Narita to pickup luggage (as International arrival) and then check in / drop luggage as domestic travel.

The last time I flew ANA KUL-NRT-CTS, at NRT after immigration, there are ANA staff who ask and divert our luggages automatically.

Things may have changed ...

I think I may have found my answer here:

Train map in spoiler:


Not all Azusa trains will stop at Otsuki, hence Navitime doesn't recommend it...

**While some Azusa services stop at Otsuki Station allowing passengers to transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line headed to Mount Fuji, most services do not. To reach Otsuki it will usually be easiest to transfer from the Azusa and either Hachioji or Kofu and take the Limited Express Kaiji service onto Otsuki.

Source

Although technically, even with the transfer it shows 1 hour 50+ minutes arrival time, which is faster than the 2.5 hours train with Shinonoi/Chuo.

Earliest Azusa train I can take is Azusa 22 @ 1110, which does not stop at Otsuki..

This post has been edited by JustForFun: Oct 28 2024, 10:18 PM

Because Kofu Station is the Drawing Line of East & Central. Most Azusa stop at Kofu Only. You had to switch train "Kaiji" to Otsuki. Azusa belong to JR Central while Kaiji is JR East.
You will arrived Kofu Station at Platform 2, JR Limited Express "Kaiji" will be at Platform 2/3. So at Kofu Station....you just wait at platform.
IF Matsumoto Station Ticket office don't sold the ticket to Otsuki, You had to buy Kaiji Ticket from Kofu Station to Otsuki Station. Since you got 20 minute Gap. far more than enough.

But there was certain Azusa will travel all the way to Tokyo Station. (Will Stop at Otsuki) without changing Train.
9.10am Train Azusa No.16 leaving Matsumoto are the one of the special but you can't make it.

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Oct 28 2024, 10:50 PM

Thanks sifu for the information.

One last thing to confirm with you, I have the JR pass and I know Otsuki to Fujisan limited is not covered. Let's say I don't buy the express limited ticket for Otsuki part before departure, ChatGPT seems to indicate I can stay on the limited express train and buy it from the conductor, or pay it when I reach Fujisan, based on your experience is it true/common thing to do?

hi guys, just sorted out my 10 days tokyo itinerary wanna check with u guys who've been there whether these sounds ok or should i combine certain attractions since its close-by. Havent been to tokyo before, this will be for 2 adults + 2 toddler under 2.

Will be bringing a twins stroller, hopefully got space to walk around...

btw for weekends, wat would u guys suggest to go/do that's not too congested? finding a hard time to fit weekends in since team labs or disneyland is a sure no-no.

Itinerary below:

If you from Kofu to Otsuki. Before Taking "Fuji Excursion" at Otuski Station, You Had to buy Ticket at Otsuki Fujikyu ticket Station first. It will be 1770 Yen...Ticket + Seat reservation
You cannot ride "Fuji Excursion" without Fujikyu Ticket + "Fuji Excursion" Seat Reservation Ticket. Fuji Excursion is full Seat Reservation train. NO Way you can do it like CHATGPT. Even you holding JR Rail Pass, You still cannot hop into JR "Fuji Excursion" as you like because you still don't have Seat Reservation Ticket.
For me, Since had to spend extra money。I will no longer take any JR train from Otsuki to Fujisan Station. I will take Fujikyu Local Train for 1100 Yen // Luxury Fujikyu Limited Express "Fujisan" for 1440 Yen!!
This 1440 Yen are way way way better than JR Limited Express Fuji Excursion 1770 Yen

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Oct 28 2024, 11:54 PM

Hello, will be in Japan Tokyo for a short 3 days. would like to know
about VAT refund.

Planning to get ON shoe and lots of Uniqlo.

thanks

Guys, anyone who traveled to Kawaguchiko recently and still think it's a worthy experience?

I was doing research on my itinerary, and thus far I have seen a lot negative feedback about the place on the amount of crowd and the public infrastructure that is not able to cope with the crowd. When I finalized my itinerary, I found that almost all my activities depend on Mt. Fuji being visible/cloudless to make it worth that hassle traveling there, and since I only have 1 ~ 1.5 days there, I fear that I would actually not see Mt Fuji at all:

Day 1
1430 - Baggage drop/early check in @ hotel near Fujisan Stn
1445 - Rent a bicycle and cycle around the lake, visit Oishi park and wait til sunset (around 1630 when Im there)
1745 - Return to Fujisan Stn / Shimoyoshida for dinner
2000 - Onsen

Day 2
0700 - Chureito Pagoda
1000 - Honcho Street
1300 - Lunch and depart

I am now having second thought and thinking about going to Hakone instead... and from where I am traveling from (Takayama), that's 1 or 1.5 hours shorter journey and a lot easier to get to.

This post has been edited by JustForFun: Oct 29 2024, 09:34 PM

I see that you will be there in November, which is considered to have high chance to have good visibility of the Mt Fuji.

I also stayed at a hotel near Fujisan Station previously. For cycling, I was told by the hotel staff it’s better to take the train to Kawaguchiko St and rent there instead of cycling all the way to the lake as it is an uphill route.

Like you, I also included Takayama in my trip, but in a different direction.

most shops that has the below sign you can get 10% off, just bring passport. they can do it on the spot too, only certain places like dept stores has a specific counter

My experience with kawaguchiko is very mixed, the view around the lake and oishi park is pretty. Public transport is very crowded especially if you take the sightseeing bus to go around. Very little food choices too and prices are quite expensive compared to other places, and all the restaurant almost full house everywhere. I only ate convenience store items when im there

Also be aware that some of the restaurant close quite early during dinner time so make sure to check those restaurant opening hours.

The oishi park ice cream is delicious though


If not cloudy then the view is very nice


This post has been edited by HumanExtinction: Oct 30 2024, 10:46 PM

thanks man...

Hello everyone, anyone who traveled to Kawaguchiko during Nov before, I need your opinion.

Im planning to go there for a 3D2N end of Nov. Is it worth to rent a car for 3 days and maneuver around there instead of using public train/cycling? Will it be hard to drive there?

If you plan to go Lake Motosu, Lake Shoji, Saiko Lake and Lake Yamanaka then rent a car. If you just want circle Lake Kawaguchi only. Bike will be enough. If you plan renting bike, Rental company will give you 15-20 minute Japan traffic law, what you should do and not to do briefing class. Circle entire Kawaguchi Lake about 4 hrs

This post has been edited by RegentCid: Nov 1 2024, 08:29 PM

Are you spending 3 hours at Chureito Pagoda?

too bad i didnt try the ice cream...
i was in a dilemma whether to try when im there coz im lactose intolerance and scare later will spoil my whole trip haha

This post has been edited by littleprawnReborn: Nov 1 2024, 11:01 PM

Thank you for your insight. I think I shall rent a car.