The Saphir Odoriko is one of Japan’s most stylish limited express trains, connecting Tokyo and Yokohama with the hot-spring resorts and coastal scenery of the Izu Peninsula.
Its deep sapphire-blue exterior reflects the sea and sky of Izu, while the interior is designed around a noticeably more premium travel experience than an ordinary limited express train.
A Premium Train Journey From Tokyo to Izu
Every passenger on the Saphir Odoriko travels in Green Car accommodation or better. The eight-car train includes Premium Green seats, private Green Car compartments, spacious standard Green Car seating, and a dedicated cafeteria car.
The train runs south from Tokyo through Yokohama and Atami before following the scenic eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula to destinations such as Ito, Izu-Kogen, Izu-Atagawa, Kawazu, and Izukyu-Shimoda.
This makes the Saphir Odoriko particularly appealing for travellers heading to Izu for onsen, ocean views, beaches, ryokan stays, the Kawazu cherry blossoms, or a relaxing side trip from Tokyo.
Good to know: The Saphir Odoriko is not a Shinkansen. It is a premium limited express train, and all seats require reservations. Because part of the journey operates over the non-JR Izukyu Railway, JR Pass coverage also needs a little explanation — we’ll cover that later in this guide.
Saphir Odoriko Route and 2026 Timetable
The Saphir Odoriko runs from the Tokyo area south along the coast to Izukyu-Shimoda at the southern end of the Izu Peninsula.
The main route is:
Tokyo → Shinagawa → Yokohama → Atami → Ito → Izu-Kogen → Izu-Atagawa → Izu-Inatori → Kawazu → Izukyu-Shimoda
On selected weekends and holidays, an additional service also starts from Shinjuku and stops at Shibuya and Musashi-Kosugi before joining the main route at Yokohama.
Daily Saphir Odoriko 1
| Station | Departure / Arrival |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 11:00 departure |
| Yokohama | 11:24 departure |
| Atami | 12:19 departure |
| Ito | 12:37 departure |
| Izu-Kogen | 12:56 departure |
| Kawazu | 13:18 departure |
| Izukyu-Shimoda | 13:29 arrival |
That makes the full Tokyo-to-Shimoda journey about 2 hours 29 minutes on the daily Saphir Odoriko 1.
Daily Return Service
The daily Saphir Odoriko 2 currently leaves Izukyu-Shimoda at 14:18 and arrives at Tokyo at 16:49.
Additional Seasonal Services
- Saphir Odoriko 3: Additional Tokyo → Izukyu-Shimoda service on selected weekdays.
- Saphir Odoriko 4: Additional Izukyu-Shimoda → Tokyo service on selected weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
- Saphir Odoriko 5: Shinjuku → Izukyu-Shimoda service on selected Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Important: Seasonal operating days can change, so always check the latest JR East timetable before booking. The schedule above is based on the timetable effective from March 14, 2026.
Best scenery tip: When travelling south toward Izu, try to reserve a seat on the left side of the train for the best chance of coastal views after Atami. On the return journey toward Tokyo, the opposite side generally gives better sea views.
Saphir Odoriko Seating: Premium Green, Private Compartments, and Green Car
One of the biggest reasons to choose the Saphir Odoriko is the train itself. Unlike a normal limited express, every passenger travels in Green Car accommodation or better.
Car 1 — Premium Green
Premium Green is the most luxurious seating option on the train. Car 1 has just 20 seats, arranged as two separate single seats in each row.
Each seat can swivel toward the windows, making this the best choice for solo travellers or couples who want maximum space and uninterrupted views of the Izu coastline.
- Two individual seats per row
- Large windows and overhead skylights
- Power outlets
- Reclining seats
- Dedicated luggage space
Cars 2–3 — Green Car Private Compartments
The private compartments are ideal for families, groups, or travellers who want their own enclosed space.
There are two compartment sizes:
- 1–4 person compartments
- 1–6 person compartments
The rooms have large windows and face-to-face seating around a table, creating an atmosphere closer to a private lounge than a conventional train seat.
Booking note: Green Car private compartments are not sold through JR-EAST Train Reservation. JR East currently requires these tickets to be purchased at a JR Ticket Office or a reserved-seat ticket vending machine.
Car 4 — Cafeteria
Car 4 is the train’s dedicated cafeteria car, with an open kitchen and large windows overlooking the scenery.
Passengers in Premium Green and regular Green Cars can enjoy selected main-menu items in the cafeteria, while passengers in private compartments can have selected food and drinks delivered to their compartment.
Cars 5–8 — Green Car
The standard Green Cars still feel considerably more spacious than ordinary limited express seating. Seats are arranged in a 2+1 configuration, with a pair of seats on one side of the aisle and a single seat on the other.
- Wide reclining seats
- 2+1 seating layout
- Power outlets
- Glass luggage shelves and skylights
- Dedicated large-luggage storage areas
For most travellers, these Green Car seats offer the best balance between price, comfort, and the overall Saphir Odoriko experience.
Which should you choose? Premium Green is best for a special occasion or maximum privacy, private compartments are excellent for families and groups, and regular Green Car seats are usually the best-value way to experience the train.
Saphir Odoriko Fares and How to Book
The Saphir Odoriko is a premium train, so it costs considerably more than an ordinary limited express. The exact fare depends on your destination, seating type, and travel date.
Tokyo to Izukyu-Shimoda Fares
| Accommodation | Standard-Period Adult Fare |
|---|---|
| Green Car | ¥10,540 |
| Premium Green | ¥12,940 |
| 1–4 Person Private Compartment — 2 people | ¥28,480 total |
| 1–4 Person Private Compartment — 4 people | ¥42,160 total |
| 1–6 Person Private Compartment — 6 people | ¥63,240 total |
For comparison, a four-person private compartment from Tokyo to Izukyu-Shimoda works out to ¥10,540 per person when all four places are occupied — the same per-person amount JR East currently lists for regular Green Car travel on this route.
Seasonal pricing: Saphir Odoriko limited express charges vary by travel period. Compared with the standard fares above, the price is currently ¥400 higher per adult during the highest-peak periods, ¥200 higher during peak periods, and ¥200 lower during off-peak periods.
Where Can You Book?
| Seat Type | JR-EAST Train Reservation | Ticket Machine / JR Ticket Office |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Green | Yes | Yes |
| Private Compartment | No | Yes |
| Green Car | Yes | Yes |
Private compartment warning: If you want one of the 4-person or 6-person private rooms, you cannot currently reserve it through JR-EAST Train Reservation. Purchase it from a reserved-seat ticket vending machine or JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi).
Can You Use the Japan Rail Pass?
Yes, but the Saphir Odoriko has some important exceptions.
- The nationwide Japan Rail Pass covers eligible travel on the JR-operated section as far as Ito.
- From Ito to Izukyu-Shimoda, the train runs on the private Izukyu Railway, so separate fares and charges are required for that section.
- An Ordinary Japan Rail Pass does not automatically give you a Saphir Odoriko seat because the train has no Ordinary Car accommodation.
- A Green Japan Rail Pass can be used for eligible regular Green Car accommodation on the JR portion, but the private railway section still requires separate payment.
- Premium Green and Green private compartments require additional charges even when travelling with a Japan Rail Pass.
My advice: If riding the Saphir Odoriko is one of the highlights of your trip, choose the seat you actually want rather than choosing purely around JR Pass coverage. The train is designed to be part of the Izu experience, not simply transportation from Tokyo to Shimoda.
Dining on the Saphir Odoriko: Car 4 Cafeteria
One of the Saphir Odoriko’s most distinctive features is its dedicated cafeteria in Car 4. Rather than simply buying an ekiben and eating at your seat, you can make the meal part of the journey itself while watching the Izu coastline through large windows.
How Cafeteria Service Works
Passengers in Premium Green Car 1 and Green Cars 5–8 eat main-menu items inside the Car 4 cafeteria.
Passengers travelling in Green Car private compartments in Cars 2–3 can have eligible meals and drinks delivered directly to their compartment instead.
Reserve Your Meal With SAPHIR Pay
JR East recommends reserving main-menu items in advance using SAPHIR Pay. You select your train and menu item online, purchase a voucher, and then show the voucher when your meal is served.
Important: SAPHIR Pay is currently available in Japanese only. The number of meal reservations is limited, and popular time slots can sell out.
Same-day reservations may occasionally be available onboard if there is remaining capacity, but JR East does not guarantee this. If dining in the cafeteria is important to you, reserving before departure is the safer option.
What Is on the Menu?
The menu changes periodically and is designed specifically for the Saphir Odoriko. Current offerings include premium noodle dishes, curry, meat dishes, desserts, gelato, regional snacks, wine, craft beer, coffee, and tea.
As of September 2026, the main menu is supervised by chef Miyuki Igarashi of MIYU. A new menu supervised by chef Junichi Ito of HERLEQUIN BIS is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026.
2026 menu change: If you are travelling from October 1, 2026 onward, check the current JR East Saphir Odoriko menu before your trip because the main dishes and prices will differ from the September menu.
Can You Buy Snacks Without a Cafeteria Meal?
Yes. Selected side dishes, desserts, and drinks can be enjoyed at your seat, and some items are available through onboard sales rather than SAPHIR Pay.
Current examples include Izu-inspired gelato, wasabi cheese, local-style snacks, craft beer, wine, coffee, and tea.
My recommendation: If this is your first Saphir Odoriko journey, reserve a cafeteria meal if your schedule allows. The dining car is one of the features that makes this train feel like a sightseeing experience rather than simply a premium seat to Izu.
Where Should You Get Off? Best Saphir Odoriko Stops in Izu
You do not have to ride the Saphir Odoriko all the way to Shimoda. Several stops along the route work well for an overnight stay, and the best choice depends on whether you want onsen, coastal scenery, cherry blossoms, beaches, or a quieter resort atmosphere.
Atami — Best for an Easy Onsen Escape
Atami is the easiest choice if you want a short getaway from Tokyo. The long-established hot-spring resort has seaside hotels, ryokan, restaurants, beaches, and easy connections to other parts of the Izu Peninsula.
Choose Atami if: You want an onsen trip without spending several hours travelling deep into Izu.
Ito — Classic Hot-Spring Town
Ito offers a more traditional hot-spring-town atmosphere, with ryokan, public baths, historic buildings, and easy access to attractions farther south.
Ito is also important for rail-pass users because this is where the JR section ends and the privately operated Izukyu Railway begins.
Choose Ito if: You want traditional onsen and a convenient base without travelling all the way to southern Izu.
Izu-Kogen — Best for Coastal Scenery and Nature
Izu-Kogen is a good base for exploring the dramatic eastern Izu coastline. The area is known for museums, cafés, villas, hot-spring accommodation, and natural attractions such as the Jogasaki Coast.
Choose Izu-Kogen if: You prefer nature, coastal walks, art, and a quieter resort atmosphere.
Kawazu — Best for Early Cherry Blossoms
Kawazu becomes one of the most popular destinations in Izu during the annual Kawazu-zakura season. These distinctive cherry trees usually bloom much earlier than Tokyo’s Somei-yoshino blossoms, making Kawazu an attractive late-winter or early-spring rail trip.
Outside sakura season, the wider Kawazu area is also known for waterfalls, onsen, hiking, and the historic Izu no Odoriko route.
Choose Kawazu if: You are travelling during the early cherry blossom season or want to combine nature with onsen.
Izukyu-Shimoda — Best for the Full Saphir Odoriko Experience
Izukyu-Shimoda is the southern terminus and the best choice if riding the entire Saphir Odoriko route is part of the experience.
Shimoda offers beaches, coastal scenery, historic streets connected with Japan’s opening to the West, seafood, onsen accommodation, and easy access to attractions around southern Izu.
The city is also known for seasonal events such as the Shimoda Hydrangea Festival, held around Shimoda Park in June.
Choose Shimoda if: You want a proper 1–2 night Izu getaway and the longest scenic ride on the Saphir Odoriko.
My pick for a first trip: Ride the Saphir Odoriko all the way to Izukyu-Shimoda, stay overnight, and return the following day or continue exploring Izu by local train. That gives you enough time to enjoy both the train and the destination instead of treating the journey as a quick day trip.
Practical Tips for Riding the Saphir Odoriko
Book Early for Weekends and Sakura Season
The Saphir Odoriko has limited seating, and Premium Green seats and private compartments can sell quickly on weekends, holidays, and during popular Izu travel periods such as the Kawazu cherry blossom season.
Choose Your Seat for the Coastal Views
When travelling south from Tokyo toward Izu, seats on the left side of the train generally offer the better coastal views once the route reaches the Izu Peninsula. On the return journey toward Tokyo, the opposite side is usually preferable.
Don’t Plan a Same-Day Rush Back to Tokyo
Although Shimoda can technically be visited as a long day trip, the Saphir Odoriko experience works much better with at least one overnight stay. That gives you time for an onsen, seafood dinner, coastal sightseeing, and a relaxed return journey.
Think About Luggage Before Boarding
The train has dedicated luggage areas, but space is still limited. If you are travelling with very large suitcases, consider forwarding your main luggage to your accommodation and taking only a smaller overnight bag to Izu.
Check the Cafeteria Before You Travel
Menus and onboard dining arrangements can change. If eating in Car 4 is part of your plan, check the current menu and SAPHIR Pay availability before departure rather than assuming you can order your preferred meal onboard.
Remember the Ito–Shimoda Section Is Not JR
This is one of the easiest details to miss. From Ito southward, the train runs on the Izukyu Railway, so travellers using a Japan Rail Pass must pay separately for the applicable private-railway portion and any additional accommodation charges.
Best overall experience: Reserve the seat type you really want, travel during daylight, stay overnight somewhere along the Izu coast, and treat the Saphir Odoriko as part of your holiday rather than simply a faster way to reach Shimoda.
FAQ: Saphir Odoriko
Is the Saphir Odoriko a Shinkansen?
No. The Saphir Odoriko is a premium limited express train, not a Shinkansen. It runs from the Tokyo area through Atami and Ito to destinations along the Izu Peninsula.
Does the Saphir Odoriko run every day?
At least one Saphir Odoriko service operates daily in each direction, while additional services run on selected weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Always check the latest JR East timetable before travelling.
Can I ride the Saphir Odoriko with a Japan Rail Pass?
Yes, but coverage is not complete. The Japan Rail Pass can cover eligible JR travel as far as Ito. South of Ito, the train operates on the private Izukyu Railway, so additional fares and charges are required. Premium Green and private compartments also require extra payment.
What is the cheapest seat on the Saphir Odoriko?
The regular Green Car seats in Cars 5–8 are the least expensive accommodation on the train. There is no Ordinary Car seating on the Saphir Odoriko.
Are Saphir Odoriko seats reserved?
Yes. All seats require reservations. Premium Green and regular Green Car seats can be booked through JR-EAST Train Reservation, while private compartments must currently be purchased through a JR Ticket Office or eligible reserved-seat ticket machine.
Is the Saphir Odoriko worth the extra cost?
It is most worthwhile if you value the journey itself. The panoramic windows, premium seating, coastal scenery, private compartments, and cafeteria make it much more of a sightseeing experience than an ordinary limited express train.
Which destination is best for a first Saphir Odoriko trip?
For the full experience, Izukyu-Shimoda is a great choice because you can ride the train to its southern terminus and stay overnight near the coast. Atami and Ito are better if you want a shorter onsen getaway.
Can I eat onboard?
Yes. Car 4 contains a dedicated cafeteria, and selected meals can be reserved in advance through SAPHIR Pay. Snacks and drinks are also available, although menus and availability can change.
Considering other scenic train journeys?
See how Saphir Odoriko compares with scenic rides in Kyoto, Hakone, Tohoku and Kyushu. Compare journey times, reservation needs and itinerary fit in our guide to scenic train rides in Japan →
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Check Current JR Pass PricesAbout Train Travel Japan
Train Travel Japan is written from firsthand experience traveling throughout Japan by rail. I am a Japanese native based in Canada and have traveled to all 47 prefectures of Japan over more than 30 years.
My goal is to make Japan train travel easier to understand, especially for international visitors planning JR Pass trips, regional rail journeys and independent itineraries.
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