The limited express Odoriko and Saphir Odoriko train ride guide. The express trains which run between Tokyo, Yokohama, Izu and Atami

Odoriko is serviced by 185 series.Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Mishima, Shuzenji
Odoriko that go to Shuzenji is usually coupled with Odoriko going to Izukyu Shimoda.
257 series runs for Odoriko (C) Rsa / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

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

185 series still run as limited express train Odoriko. This fleet is used for rapid Moonlight Nagara too.

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

Odoriko operation map
Green line is Odoriko operation route. Blue line is Saphir Odoriko operation route.
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-Kogen670 yen410 yen520 yen930 yen1,190 yen2,010 yen
Kawazu1,390 yen410 yen520 yen930 yen1,190 yen2,010 yen
Izukyu-Shimoda1,650 yen410 yen520 yen930 yen1,190 yen2,010 yen
Base fare is varied by the distance on Izu-Kyuko line but the seat fee is same.

Extra fare table for Izu-Hakone Railways

 Basic fare from Mishima
Shuzenji520 yen
Only base fare is required. Green seat car is not available on Odoriko to Shuzenji.

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

12345671112131415
RRRGRNRNRNRNRRRR
R (Ordinary reserved seat), NR (Ordinary non reserved seat), G (Green class seat)
185 series 12 cars formation. Car 11 to 15 usually are assigned for the train to Shuzenji.
123456789101112131415
RRRGGRRRNRNRNRNRRRR
R (Ordinary reserved seat), NR (Ordinary non reserved seat), G (Green class seat)
185 series 15 cars formation. Car 11 to 15 usually are assigned for the train to Shuzenji.
123456789
RRRGRRRNRNR
R (Ordinary reserved seat), NR (Ordinary non reserved seat), G (Green class seat)
257 series 9 cars formation. This set is used for Tokyo to/from Izukyu-Shimoda operation.
1234567891011121314
RRRGRRRNRNRNRNRRRR
R (Ordinary reserved seat), NR (Ordinary non reserved seat), G (Green class seat)
257 series 14 cars formation. Car 10 to 14 usually are assigned for the train to Shuzenji.

For the limited express Saphir Odoriko

12345678
PGGCGCCafeGGGG
PG (Premium Green seat), GC (Green Compartment), G (Green seat)

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:

JR East official news

Images – Saphir Odoriko 261 series

JR East official website

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:

JR East Saphir Odoriko official website

I hope this post helped you to plan your trip to Izu, Atami, Kawazu.

Comments

  1. Par says:

    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

  2. OB says:

    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

  3. veronica says:

    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

      • veronica says:

        Many thanks for your prompt response.

        I suppose there are luggage lockers in Numazu station and most of the JR stations.

        Cheers!

      • veronica says:

        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

        • veronica says:

          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

  4. Emma says:

    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

  5. Grace says:

    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

      • Grace says:

        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

  6. Anthony from Toronto, Canada says:

    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

  7. Charles says:

    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,

  8. Sandy says:

    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

  9. Geraldine says:

    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

  10. Margaret from Toronto says:

    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

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