Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Fujikyuko Fujisan Station 富士急行富士山駅, Thomas Land-go Train トーマスランド号

Fujisan Station 富士山駅 (FJ16) is a train station located along Fujikyuko line 富士急行線. Operated by a private railway company, Fujikyuko, this railway line ascends from Otsuki 大月駅 to Kawaguchi-ko 河口湖駅 and is frequently utilised by both locals and tourists to visit Fuji five lakes (such as Kawaguchi-ko and Yamanaka-ko), Fuji Q Highland themepark and numerous scenic spots which offer spectacular views of Fujisan.

Limited express and special themed trains serving this train station include:

(1) Thomas Land-go トーマスランド号, a local train which makes two round trip per day along Fujikyuko line. Happened to hop onto one when we were travelling from Fujisan Station to Shimoyoshida Station 下吉田駅. The two-carriage train is decorated by the characters originating from Thomas and Friends, inside out. I was fully absorbed in exploring the train during the short 5 minutes journey, walking from one end to the other, gasping with excitement as my eyes scrolled through the colourful pictures on the walls/ceiling.

Hit cartoon series. I only realised that the British cartoon series, Thomas and Friends series, was so well received in Japan after seeing a exact replication of Thomas on one of the train heads of Oigawa Tetsudo (in Shizuoka Prefecture). There is even a Thomas Land established in Fuji Q Highland theme park where kids can enjoy rides or take photos with huge figurines featuring the main characters. And that's not all. For each of the eighteen train stations along Fujikyuko line, the platform name boards feature a different character from the cartoon series. Look out for Thomas at Fuji Q Highland Station while Fujisan Station is represented by James, the red engine.
http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/thomas.php

Fuji Tozan Densha

(2) Fuji Tozan Densha 富士登山電車, a limited express train commuting between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko, stopping by Mittsutoge 三つ峠駅, Shimoyoshida 下吉田駅, Fujisan 富士山駅 and Fuji Q Highland 富士急ハイランド駅. The train makes a 1.5 round trip on weekdays and two round trips on weekends/public holidays. Both Fuji Tozan Densha and Fujisan View Limited Express are attractively donned in stunning vermilion with exquisite interior design to impress its onboard passengers. Fuji Tozan Densha is made up of two train carriages named Aka-Fuji (Red Fuji) and Ao-Fuji (Blue Fuji) respectively, with matching colours utilised. Putting on a retro modern style, natural materials such as wood and cloth were employed as much as possible to decorate the train interior. It is a pity I was not able to suit my schedule to ride on either themed train this time round and hopefully I can eventually get to do so one day! Take note that an additional 200 yen fare is required to board this train.
http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujitozandensha.php

Fujisan View Limited Express.

(3) Fujisan View Limited Express 富士山ビュー特急, a limited express train commuting between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko, stopping by Tsurubunka Daigaku-mae 都留文科大学前, Fujisan 富士山駅 and Fuji Q Highland 富士急ハイランド駅. The three-carriage train makes two round trips on weekdays and three round trips on weekends/public holidays. One exclusive service offered by this particular train is the sweets plan (スイーツプラン) and this is only available on weekends/public holidays. The dessert menu is specially created by Highland Resort & Spa (which is also owned by Fujikyu) and cost 4,000 yen per person. For the reserved seats in Car 1, a top up of 900 yen is required. Whereas for the non-reserved seats in Car 2 and 3, an additional 400 yen is collected for commuting between Otsuki to Fujisan/Fuji Q Highland/Kawaguchi-ko.
http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujisan_view_express.php

Isn't he adorable?

(4) Fujisan Limited Express フジサン特急, a limited express train commuting between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko, stopping by Tsurubunka Daigaku-mae 都留文科大学前, Fujisan 富士山駅 and Fuji Q Highland 富士急ハイランド駅 (similar to Fujisan View Limited Express). The train makes three round trips on weekdays and two round trips on weekends/public holidays (opposite to Fujisan View Limited Express). Caught a glimpse of this adorable looking Fujisan Limited Express when we alighted at Fujisan Station and was totally amused by the wacky Fujisan inspired cartoon characters which occupied the exterior wall of the train.
http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujisan_express.php

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What's nearby?

(1) Fujiyoshida-shi Tourist Information Center 富士吉田市観光案内所, opposite to the train station. A place to head down to retrieve brochures and sightseeing maps of Fujiyoshida City. Feel free to approach the knowledgeable staff here for more information or direction advice on any places of interest in the area.

Bus terminal, located just outside the train station.

Bus Stop 3 for buses heading for Oshino Hakkai, Yamanaka-ko, Heino and Gotenba.

(2) Bus Terminal バスタミナール, just outside the train station.

Bus Stop 3:
- for Fujikko-go Bus ふじっこ号バス heading for Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海, Hananomiyako Koen 花の都公園 and Hirano 平野.
Bus schedule: http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/rosen/shuyufujikkogo
- for Fujikyuko Bus (heading for Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海 and Gotenba JR Station 御殿場駅.
- for Fujikyuko Bus heading for Hananomiyako Koen 花の都公園, Gotenba JR Station 御殿場駅 and Gotenba Premium Outlet 御殿場プレミアムアウトレット.

Bus schedule: http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/gotemba/20181001/timetable_2.pdf

(3) Q-STA, a shopping mall connected to the train station.
The anchor tenants are MUJI (3F) and Daiso (4F) and there are a handful of eateries such as MOS Burger and Uotami housed within the same building. There is a souvenir shop (Gateway Fujiyama) located on the ground floor where a wide variety of Fujisan related merchandise can be purchased. 

http://www.q-sta.jp/

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Commemorative stamps: 

Fujisan Station

Fujiyoshida-shi Tourist Information Center