[1] The station, which is unattended, is situated on a switchback, and has two side platforms connected by a footbridge.

[2] With the privatization of Japanese National Railways (JNR) on 1 April 1987, the station came under the control of JR East.

Although the station itself is unstaffed, local volunteers serve tea at weekends to the many tourists who visit for the express purpose of enjoying the extensive views over the Zenkoji Plain which are to be had from the northern platform.

Additionally, since 2017 Obasute station has been a calling-point on the route of the luxury Shiki-Shima cruise train, which stops here overnight at the end of the first day of the spring and autumn 2-day cruises.

[3] In the fiscal year 2018, the average daily number of passengers starting their journeys at Obasute was 64.