The Saphir Odoriko Train
JR 261 Saphir Odoriko (JR East)
Journey aboard the big blue jewel
JR East's "Saphir Odoriko" train runs between Tokyo and the Izu Peninsula, an area rich in natural activities. The train is a symbol of Japanese luxury, offering travelers the utmost in modern comfort.
The " Saphir Odoriko " train takes its name from the precious stone, the sapphire, in French to give an image of luxury, as everything has been studied to provide maximum comfort in a train with a very advanced design. That's why the great designer Ken Okuyama was called in, who has already worked on the Shinkansen Hokuriku and Akita, or the excellent Train Suite Shikishima.
" Odoriko " is the name of the express train that has linked Tokyo to Izu for decades, and continues to do so every day with other simpler, more affordable trains.
The beautiful, deep, brilliant blue color of the Saphir Odoriko is a perfect match for the blue of the sky and the Pacific Ocean, which the train skirts for much of the way on the Izu peninsula, which is why some seats face the windows so you can gaze into these marvelous blues.
First-Class for everyone
On board the Saphir Odoriko, there's no standard class with small seats or benches for ten people, but 'Green Class' for all, because the minimum is already the maximum on other trains.
Wide, comfortable 2+1 seats , electrically adjustable for seat, backrest and leg extension, electric sockets at each seat, and a small light in the headrest, which itself has a soft cushion. Four cars at this level of comfort, in a bright, soothing atmosphere like a white sandy beach, the one you'll soon be on with this train in southern Izu.
Saphir Odoriko Green Class seats (JR East)
The nec plus ultra is the 'Premium Green Class', currently only available in certain Shinkansen (E7 Hokuriku series, E5 Tohoku/Hokkaido series).
Car no. 1 is fully dressed in this high level of comfort, with around fifteen seats, two very wide side-by-side seats all in grey leather, with wooden armrests, fully electrically adjustable for lying down and taking a nice nap, which would be a shame given the landscapes we're travelling through and the fact that you can turn your seat towards the window.
Up front, in the front seats, you even have the view just behind the driver's station, like a panoramic lounge.
Long, high windows look out on the sky, for more light and the feeling of a journey between sky and...sea, just like in the business class of an airplane.
Saphir Odoriko Premium Green Class seats (JR East)
Cars 2 & 3 'Green Car Private Compartments' offer private spaces for several people, from one to 4 or even 6, with an enclosed lounge with brown leather seats around a wooden table against the window.
The journey promises to be a delightful one in such a space, with specific decoration, artwork on the wall, quality furniture and lighting, and meticulous service. You won't regret choosing this level of comfort if you're with family, friends or just to enjoy a quiet moment together.
For a quality snack
Car no. 4 is the 'Cafeteria' dining area, with a choice of mouth-watering menus specially designed for the Saphir Odoriko. Alone or with friends, you can sit on a stool facing the landscape or around a table on a leather banquette.
Chef Miyuki Igarashi proposes a noodle soup with Izu shrimp, or pork noodles with miso sauce, other local black beef dishes, desserts, mango cheese cake, mango and hazelnut cassata ice cake. And don't forget to drink the special bluish green tea imagined by the chef for Saphir Odoriko. You'll even keep the cardboard cup, so beautiful is it in the colors of the train with the sapphire logo. There's a wide choice of alcoholic and soft drinks to suit all tastes.
Saphir Odoriko timetable
Every weekday, a train departs Tokyo station at 11:00 a.m., stopping at Yokohama at 11:23 a.m., Atami at 12:17 p.m. and arriving at the Izukyu-Shimoda terminus at 1:29 p.m. the return train makes: Izukyu-Shimoda 14h18, Atami 15h30, Yokohama 16h27 and Tokyo 16h49.
On Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, an additional Saphir Odoriko departs Tokyo at 12:30 pm, arriving at Izukyu-Shimoda at 3:31 pm. And only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, another Saphir Odoriko leaves Shinjuku station at 12:25 p.m., passing through Shibuya at 12:30 p.m., Yokohama at 12:57 p.m., Atami at 1:51 p.m., for a terminus at Izukyu-Shimoda at 3:31 p.m.
The extra return leaves Izukyu-Shimoda at 4:39 pm, Atami at 5:57 pm, Yokohama at 6:56 pm, arriving exclusively at Tokyo station at 7:20 pm.
A trip in 'Green Class' (i.e. normal on this train) will cost you 10,060yen per seat for the trip from Tokyo to Izukyu-Shimoda. 12,460yen in Premium Green Class, and 40,240yen for 4 people in the 'Green car Private Compartment', the price depending on the number of passengers in this variable space.
