Ōtsuki sits in a deep, narrow valley in the mountains of eastern Yamanashi, where the old Kōshū Kaidō highway from Edo to Kōfu meets the road south towards Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. The Katsura river runs through the valley, and steep, forested mountains rise on every side, giving the town a closed-in, mountain feel despite being only about an hour from western Tokyo.
The town is famous for the Saruhashi, the Monkey Bridge, a wooden cantilever bridge spanning a narrow gorge high above the river. According to legend, it was inspired by monkeys forming a chain across the gorge, and it is counted as one of the three strange bridges of Japan. The current bridge is a reconstruction, but the design is centuries old, and the setting is dramatic.
Above the town, the rocky peak of Iwadono was the site of a mountain castle in the Warring States period, and the cliffs are a landmark. The mountains around Ōtsuki are popular with hikers, and the views of Mount Fuji from the ridges are among the best in the region.
For riders, the roads around Ōtsuki are a mix of valley routes and mountain passes. Route 20, the old Kōshū Kaidō, follows the valley with gentle curves, while Route 139 heads south towards Fujiyoshida and the lakes. Smaller roads climb into the mountains with tight bends and steep gradients. Traffic can be heavy on weekends. Fuel and food are available in Ōtsuki.