Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko are limited express trains to Izukyu-Shimoda or Shuzenji in Izu peninsula from Tokyo and Shinjuku. As probably you know, Izu peninsula is one of most famous hot springs resort area in Japan. These express trains take you to many places, such as Atami, Ito, Kwazu and Izu-Kogen, in Izu hot springs resort from Greater Tokyo area.
Saphir Odoriko was introduced on March 14th, 2020. This train offers high-end train service. This train does not have any ordinary class seat. All seats are Green seat (business class) or Premium Green seat (first class).
In this post, I will show you the interior, timetable, trip times and other trips of Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko.
Route, timetable and trip time
Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko connects Tokyo and Atami in 1 hour 30 minutes and connects Tokyo and Izukyu-Shimoda in 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours and conencts Tokyo and Shuzenji in 2 hours 10 minutes.
Please find the timetable in JR East official website (English):
JR East official site – the timetable
Click to view large.
Restriction for JR Pass users
These trains are operated on both JR line and the private lines, Izu Kyuko Railway (Ito to Izukyu-Shimoda) and Izu Hakone Railways (Mishima to Shuzenji). If you take these train by JR Pass, JR Pass does not cover these private lines. You may have to pay the extra if you travel farther than Ito or Mishima.
Please see the fare table below to find the extra on top of JR Pass.
Extra fare table for Izu-Kyuko line
| Base fare from Ito | Odoriko Non reserved seat fee | Odoriko Reserved seat fee | Odoriko Green seat fee | Saphir Odoiko Green seat fee | Saphir Odoriko Premium Green seat fee | |
| Izu-Kogen | 670 yen | 410 yen | 520 yen | 930 yen | 1,190 yen | 2,010 yen |
| Kawazu | 1,390 yen | 410 yen | 520 yen | 930 yen | 1,190 yen | 2,010 yen |
| Izukyu-Shimoda | 1,650 yen | 410 yen | 520 yen | 930 yen | 1,190 yen | 2,010 yen |
Extra fare table for Izu-Hakone Railways
| Basic fare from Mishima | |
| Shuzenji | 520 yen |
If you use JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass, Izu-Kyuko line is covered. You can take an ordinary seat on the limited express Odoriko without any extra charge. But Saphir Odoriko is not covered at all by these passes because this train offers only Green class seat and Premium Green class seat. These passes do not cover Green and Premium Green seats. And these passes do not cover farther than Atami. The segment between Atami and Shuzenji is not covered at all by these passes.
Accommodation
Odoriko is operated by 185 series and 257 series. All 185 series will be replaces by 257 series sooner or later because this fleet is one of the oldest fleets in JR trains.
Saphir Odoriko is operated by 261 series. 261 series is designed for Saphir Odoriko and newly itroduced.
As I mentioned, Saphir Odiriko 261 series does not offer any ordinary class seats. It offers only Green class seat and Premium Green class seat.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
Train formation
For the limited express Odoriko
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| R | R | R | G | R | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R |
185 series 12 cars formation. Car 11 to 15 usually are assigned for the train to Shuzenji.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| R | R | R | G | G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R |
185 series 15 cars formation. Car 11 to 15 usually are assigned for the train to Shuzenji.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| R | R | R | G | R | R | R | NR | NR |
257 series 9 cars formation. This set is used for Tokyo to/from Izukyu-Shimoda operation.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| R | R | R | G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R |
257 series 14 cars formation. Car 10 to 14 usually are assigned for the train to Shuzenji.
For the limited express Saphir Odoriko
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| PG | GC | GC | Cafe | G | G | G | G |
Images – Odoriko 185 series
Green seat
Ordinary seat
The accommodation is exactly same between reserved ordinary seat and non reserved ordinary seat.
Lavatory
Images – Odoriko 257 series
This series has just been renovated for the limited express Odoriko. The images are not available yet.
You may find the link to JR East official news letter below. It is in Japanese but you cann find some image:
Images – Saphir Odoriko 261 series
This series has just been introduced for the limited express Saphir Odoriko. The images are not available yet.
You may find the link to JR East official website below. It is English website and there are lots of images:
I hope this post helped you to plan your trip to Izu, Atami, Kawazu.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning on a trip from Tokyo to Kawazu, then back to Yugawara for a one night stay. Then from Yugawara to Kawaguchiko the next morning and back to Tokyo and stay a couple of days there. Could you please help to recommend a good choice to cover this plan? And would Tokyo Wide Pass be a good choice of purchase for this route?
Thank you.
Rgds,
Par
Thank you
Hi Par,
Unfortunately there is no deals to cover whole part of your trip.
Tokyo Wide Pass is the best choice but you need to add some fare for taking bus. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
The shortest route to Kawaguchiko is taking bus from Mishima. But Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover train between Atami and Mishima. And also bus trip from Mishima to Kawaguchiko is not covered. Train trip from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo is covered.
Anyway this is only choice for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi
I have a quick question. If I want to take the train from Atami to Izukyu-Shimoda by Super View Odoriko/Odoriko, how do I pay the surcharge? Do I pay it when I buy it at a JR Ticket Office, or do I pay the conductor on board the train?
Thank You!
OB
Hi OB,
When you purchase a ticket at JR ticket office, you can purchase limited express surcharge ticket too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Great to have such a website for advice on JR pass.
My itinerary is as follows:
8/3 Arrive in Haneda
9/3 Depart from Tokyo city to Kawazu
10/3 From Kawazu to Atami
11/3 From Atami to Osaka ( a brief stop over at Numazu)
Is the JR all Japan pass 7 days of good value? It seems that from reading the above comments, I still have to pay surcharge for the Odoriko line. Is the greater Tokyo 2-4 days pass of better value? Failing all the above, is it difficult to purchase ticket from the station for foreigners 🙁
Many thanks for your kind assistance.
Veronica
Hi Veronica,
JR Pass is way more expensive than single fare ticket. It’s not recommended.
Only single ticket is your option because there is no deals available that is cheaper than single fare. So you may purchase two single ticket. Those are Haneda to Tokyo, Tokyo to Kawazu, and Kawazu to Osaka via Atami and Numazu. You can make stopovers by one single ticket. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
When you purchase from Haneda to Tokyo, just purchase it at the vending machine.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-access-from-haneda-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Many thanks for your prompt response.
I suppose there are luggage lockers in Numazu station and most of the JR stations.
Cheers!
No problem, Veronica.
Most of stations have lockers. It should be okay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am counting down for my trip to Kawazu and would like to follow your advice for 2 single tickets to complete the journey.
I used hyperdia and select the following route:
1. Haneda to Tokyo transit Shanagawa (my arrival is 930pm Mar 8) and from Tokyo to Kawazu on limited express Odoriko 105 at 9am arrival 1124am, the cost for 1 ticket is 6420Yen and it seems that it is cheaper than getting 2 separate tickets. May I ask whether the ticket booth will allow me to book the specific train departing the next day at 9am if I was to purchase 1 single ticket. Please kindly advise whether I can do my seat reservation at the booth or I have to do it the next day in the Tokyo station. If there is any change in the time e.g. miss the train, do I have to pay the seat reservation fee again.
2 From Atami to Osaka, Hyperdia suggests to transit at Mishima on Shinkensan and pay 12400 for 1 single ticket. I might be boarding the train from Ito or Atami. Is there any issue if I pre-purchase ticket for Atami departure
Is it better to purchase the 2 tickets at the airport in case there is ticket booth is limited in the smaller station.
Many thanks for your kind assistance.
Hi Veronica,
1. If you purchase reserved seat ticket, you can purchase it at Shinagawa or Tokyo station. There is JR service counter in Haneda but it’s closed at 18:45. I recommend you to book it at Tokyo station. Reservation window (called “Midori no Madoguchi”) is open until 23:00.
If you book it and miss it, you can take non reserved seat on later train. If you want to have reserved seat, you have to purchase it again. Odoriko depart from Tokyo station. If you wait for the train at the platform 15-20 minutes before departure time, it’s not hard to get a seat on non reserved car.
2. If you purchase reserved seat, you can purchase it at same time at Tokyo station. There are some Hikari that stop at Atami. Please see the link to see the timetable. You may find it. It’s much easier to transfer at Mishima.
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Many thanks for the information regarding the reservation window at the Tokyo station. I studied the map and there seemed to be a lot of reservations offices in the Tokyo Station and according to the search engine, their office hour is 700-2030. Is there a specific one that opens until 2300 or the search engine information is outdated.
Many thanks and cheers!
Veronica
Hi Veronica,
I think you mean Travel Service center.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center_tokyo.html
This is not an ordinary reservation window. Please see the map below. There are lots of “Midori no Madotuchi” in the map. Most of those are open late.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e1039.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Many thanks Takeshi, fabulous information regarding Atami. Back to the first trip from Haneda Airport, if I go for unreserved seat, am I correct to assume that I can get one ticket from the airport ticketing booth to travel from HND airport to Tokyo and use the same ticket from Tokyo to Kawazu on unreserved seat on Odoriko 9am train. I imagine the queue at the reserved seat counter in the Tokyo station must be rather long and I think I will take the chance for NR seat. Thank you for your patience with me.
Hi Veronica,
You have to purchase two separate ticket, Haneda-Tokyo and Tokyo-Kawazu. You cannot use one same ticket because you will take same route between Shinagawa and Tokyo. And also between Haneda and Shinagawa, you will take Keihin Kyuko railway that is not JR. You cannot purchase Tokyo-Kawazu ticket at Haneda because as I mentioned, JR service counter is already closed. You can purchase Keihin Kyuko-JR for Haneda-Tokyo ticket at Keihin Kyuko railway’s vending machine.
So even if you take non reserved seat, you need to purchase Tokyo-Kawazu ticket at Tokyo station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
Need your help to choose the best path. Fastest and cheapest from airport to kawazu. I’m planning to go on daytrip.
1.Still confuse should I buy the tokyo wide pass because the pass for 3 consecutive days. And I’m planning to go to kawaguchiko on the next day. Is it possible to use the pass.
2.I’ve found another pass that cover shizuoka on weekend that is holiday pass (kyujitsu norihodai kippu). This pass only cost 2670yen cheaper than tokyo pass which is cost 10000yen.
I’ll travel early morning on saturday from airport around 730am. Better to buy tokyo wide pass or holiday pass or maybe any cheapest way other than this two?
Thanks
Hi Emma,
I think you mean Kyujitsu Odekake Pass. It costs 2670 yen. This pass does not include limited express surcharge, but Tokyo Wide Pass does. And also Kyujistu Odekake pass does not cover Izu. It covers until you get Odawara. You have to add extra for Odawara to Kawazu.
If you add these extra (surcharge and base fare Odawara-Kawazu one way), actually it’s still 1000 yen cheaper than Tokyo Wide Pass. But you need to add the fare to go to Lake Kawaguchi. The best way is taking express bus from Mishima.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Both deals do not cover Mishima. But Tokyo Wide pass covers until you get Atami. If you add this cost on top of Odekake pass, Tokyo Wide pass is cheaper.
If you are okay with slow travel, just taking local train from Narita to Tokyo and Tokyo to Atami, and Atami to Kawazu. It’s much cheaper than Tokyo wide pass because you don’t need to add surcharge.
You may choose whichever is fast or cheap.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your fast reply! I think I’ll go for tokyo wide pass. I’ve already made my itinerary for 10 days.
Day 1-overnight at haneda airport
Day 2- instead of direct to kawazu, I’ve change to kawaguchiko and back to shinjuku
Day 3- kawazu and back to shinjuku
Day 4 -disneysea (night train to matsumoto)
Day 5-takayama (morning bus to takayama)
Day 6-Shirakawa-go and toujinbui cliff, fukui
Day 7-kyoto
Day 8-kyoto
Day 9-osaka
Day 10-Depart KIX
*Transportation fares
For day 2-4 using Tokyo Wide pass (10000¥)
For day 5- pay bus fare from Matsumoto to Takayama (one way trip 3190¥ but with jr east pass can get 2500¥ for round trip)
For day 6-10 using Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass (13500¥)
Need your advise / any suggestion for night train to matsumoto is it cover by tokyo wide pass? And for bus fare from matsumoto to takayama, am I entitled to get the discount using tokyo wide pass because it also cover jr east line?
Thank you so much for your help! 🙂
Hi Emma,
Unfortunately you misunderstand the condition of Tokyo Wide Pass. Matsumoto is not in coverage area and you cannot get the discount for Nohi bus by this pass. JR East pass is different from Tokyo Wide Pass.
Overnight train to Matsumoto runs on very limited date.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2016-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html#Overnight_Rapid_Moonlight_Shinshu_81
And also it’s hard to book even if you travel on these dates. If you cannot book this train, you have to find the hotel after you arrive in Japan. I think overnight train is not your choices.
If you want to take overnight option. Nohi bus runs night bus from Shinjuku to Takayama. This is only option for you but it’s not covered by Tokyo Wide pass of course.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/tokyo.html
You may use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. But you cannot exchange this pass at Takayama. You can exchange it in advance when you are in Tokyo. Don’t forget to exchange it before leaving Tokyo.
http://touristpass.jp/en/takayama_hokuriku/exchange/locations.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
For night bus from shinjuku to takayama, I’ve already check there is no night bus end of this february. I’m still searching the best way to go takayama on monday and prefer overnight option. Other option that I have, take night bus from disneysea to nagoya (4400¥) and morning train from nagoya to takayama (3020¥)via jr chuo line/taita line/takayama line.
Kindly need your advise Takeshi.
Hi Emma,
You can use Takayama Hokuriku Area pass from Nagoya if you use overnight bus to Nagoya. But in this case, you need to add single fare or other pass for last day to KIX. There are lots of deals from Osaka to KIX. It may be considered.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Okay then I’ll use One-day ticket Enjoy Eco Card in Osaka which is cost 600¥ on weekend. For Osaka, I just want to go to Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building and Hard Rock Cafe to buy some souvenirs. But not sure are these area cover by Eco Card pass.
Thanks Takeshi.
Hi Emma,
Remember that you can use Takayama Hokuriku Area pass is Osaka too.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Umeda and Osaka castle are near JR stations.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I’m planning to go –
Day 1: Shinjuku – Atami
Day 2: Atami – Kawazu (return)
I thought the Tokyo Wide Pass was the best pass to get after reading your postings.
But today I found out about Ito Kanto Free Pass at 4,400yen
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/izu/
Would the Ito Free Pass cover my trips ? The only difference is that I need to transfer at Odawara Station, is this correct ?
Many thanks
Grace
Hi Grace,
Kawazu is outside coverage area of Ito-Kanko Free Pass. And also this pass does not cover any limited express train. Tokyo Wide Pass covers limited express train Odoriko and Superview Odoriko. It takes you Atami from Tokyo directly and faster. Tokyo Wide Pass is better.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for that clarification. I’m trying to reserve tickets for Shinjuku to Atami 9.25am with the Tokyo Wide Pass on the JR East website.
Under category ‘line’, should I choose Tokaido/Ito Line Limited Express or Izu Kyuko Line Limited Express ? Or it doesn’t matter ?
Many thanks again
Hi Grace,
You can choose Tokaido/Ito line to book a train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
That’s great !
Just 1 more question if I may…
If I take train between Atami and Ito stations, on the JR Ito line, are the tickets covered by Tokyo Wide Pass ?
Many thanks
Grace
Hi Grace,
Yes, it’s covered fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We (5 of us) are leaving 草津溫泉 to 靜岡 伊豆大瀧溫泉 天城莊溫泉旅館 on January 8, 2016. Would you able to find a shortest and fastest route to our destination of 天城莊溫泉旅館.
Thanks so much
Hi Anthony,
There is no direct way and you need to go back to Tokyo from Kusatsu anyway. I think the location where you will stay in Izu can be accessed from Kawazu station. You can follow the route in the post above. Kawazu is located between Atami and Shimoda.
But I have no idea about access to your hotel from Kawazu station. I hope scheduled bus run or hotel has shuttle. I suggest you to ask your hotel to make sure the access from the station to the hotel.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning to do a day trip from Tokyo to Yokohama.
Will the Yokohama-Minatomirai Pass allow me to get on the Odoriko train?
It seems to be the fastest and cheapest way to do Yokohama.
Do you have a different suggestion?
Thanks,
Hi Charles,
This pass is a good choice. But you can’t take Odoriko. You can take only local and rapid train. It does not allow you to take any express trains. You can find the info about rapid train at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/rapid-service-network-in-greater-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI Takeshi
I just want to ask if the special service by JR East (includes complimentary soft drink and steamed hot towel) is available on the 185 series train. I am taking tho Odoriko 109 from Tokyo to Odawara on 2015/12/26. And also, is there an onboard trolly service on this train?
Cheers, Sandy
Hi Sandy,
I don’t think those services are available. As far as I know, only Tokaido Shinkansen’s Green car offer this service. Cart service is available on only Super View Odoriko. I heard that Ordinary Odoriko does not have it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi!
Could you help me, i’d like to go to kawazu staton for sakura this 18th march 2016. I will take jr pass because on that date im planning going to kyoto from tokyo (but i sop at kawazu at noon) my question is, whas is the cheapest way should i take? And i realyyy want to try the super view odoriko! Tqu
Hi Geraldine,
You have to pay extra fro Ito to Kawazu anyway on top of JR pass. I think you saw the extra charge table in the post above.
If you want to minimize the extra cost, get off Super view Odoriko at Ito and transfer to local train. You can save 400-500 yen.
I recommend to book Super View at JR East reservation site.
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.16545590.1090172892.1443854434
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
What a wonderful website. I have 2 questions please.
1. We will be taking the Odoriko 105 to Shimoda and then Superview Odoriko 8 back to Tokyo.
My husband is a real ‘densha otaku’ so I would like to ask the JR ticket department for the seat that looks though the front window (driver compartment). What seats should I request? How much extra is the fare if we have a JR green pass?
2. We will be visiting Hamamatsu, Kakegawa, etc as well. Would it be better to get a JR EAST green pass or a JR (everywhere) green pass?
Thank you so much for your reply.
Regards, Margaret
Toronto
Hi Margaret,
1. Odoriko 105 does not have any observation seat. It’s not “Super View” fleet. Anyway seat 1A,1B,1C and 1D in car#1 is the most front row seat. It’s just behind the operator seat. But it’s not Green car and is regular ordinary reserved seat. It’s not a good choice if you use Green Pass. You have to pay regular extra fare that I wrote in the post above.
For Super View Odoriko 8 has observation seat. The seat 1A,1B,1C and 1D in car#10 is observation seat at the front end to Tokyo. But this is not a green seat either. If your husband is okay for rear end, seat 1A,1B,1C and 1D in car#1 is observation seat too. And this is Green seat.
So if you can take Super View Odoriko when you go to Shimoda from Tokyo, you might get the frond end observation Green seat.
Observation seat is very popular and sometimes hard to book. You can try to book in advance online:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.3529136.1090172892.1443854434
I don’t think you can pick seat number when you reserve it online. But it may give you better chance than booking after arriving in Japan.
2. JR East pass does not have any Green pass. Only JR pass provide Green pass. And also Kakegawa and Hamamatsu are not in JR East area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com