"Saphir Odoriko" train schedule, fares, and how to buy tickets
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the JR East sightseeing limited express train (Saphir Odoriko), which connects Tokyo Station and Izukyu-Shimoda Station. It includes timetables, fares for representative routes, stations served, seating information, ticket purchasing procedures, ticket issuance requirements, and IC card compatibility. This luxurious train features all Green Car carriages, and we've compiled key points to check before your trip.
*The information in this article is current as of July 2026. Operating days, timetables, fares, sales conditions, and purchase methods may change. Please check the latest information on Ekitan or the railway company's official website before use.
The (Saphir Odoriko) is a JR East sightseeing limited express train connecting Tokyo Station and Izukyu-Shimoda Station. "Saphir" means "sapphire" in French, and the name was chosen to evoke the image of the sparkling blue sea and sky of Izu. It is operated by an 8-car E261 series train that debuted in March 2020, and is characterized by its luxurious configuration with all cars being Green Car. Since all seats are reserved, advance seat reservations are required to board. Item Content Train Name "Saphir Odoriko" Operating Company JR East (Izu Kyuko Railway on the Izukyu Line section) Main Operating Sections Tokyo Station to Izukyu-Shimoda Station (On weekends and holidays, there are also services departing from and arriving at Shinjuku and Shibuya stations) Main Starting and Ending Stations Tokyo Station / Izukyu-Shimoda Station Number of Trains Running Regular service: 1 round trip (up to 2 round trips on weekends and holidays with extra services) Travel Time Tokyo to Izukyu-Shimoda: Approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes Seating All seats are reserved Green Car seats (Premium Green, Green Private Compartments, Green Car). 
Table of Contents
- What is "Saphir Odoriko"?
- "Saphir Odoriko" Train Timetable
- Operating Sections of "Saphir Odoriko"
- Stations Where "Saphir Odoriko" Stops
- Fares for "Saphir Odoriko"
- How to Buy Tickets for "Saphir Odoriko"
- Is a Physical Ticket Required?
- Can IC Cards or Credit Card Touch Payments Be Used?
- Seating Information for "Saphir Odoriko"
- Ekiben (Station Bento Boxes) and In-Train Gourmet Food on "Saphir Odoriko"
- Points to Note When Riding "Saphir Odoriko"
- Summary
What is "Saphir Odoriko"?
The "Saphir Odoriko" is JR East's first all-Green Car sightseeing limited express train, which debuted in the March 2020 timetable revision as the successor to the Super View "Odoriko". It operates with an 8-car E261 series train and is designed with the concept of a high-quality, luxurious, and elegant journey, featuring Premium Green, Green Private Compartments, standard Green Cars, and a cafeteria (Car 4). All cars have skylights in the ceiling, allowing passengers to enjoy natural light and scenery not only from the windows but also from above. The design was handled by industrial designer Kiyoyuki Okuyama, and high-quality design elements are incorporated throughout.
Train features and popular points
The most distinctive feature of the (Saphir Odoriko) is that all eight cars are Green Cars. The "Premium Green" in the first car features a 1+1 seating arrangement with 125cm of electric reclining seats, and the seats can be rotated to face the window. The standard Green Cars in Cars 5 through 8 also have a spacious 2+1 seating arrangement with 116cm of seating. In the cafeteria in Car 4, passengers can enjoy limited-time menus that enhance their Izu trip, prepared in an open kitchen right in front of them. Each seat is equipped with a power outlet, and free Wi-Fi is available, ensuring a comfortable journey even on long journeys.
"Saphir Odoriko" Train Timetable
*Regular trains (No. 1 and No. 2) operate daily, while special trains (Nos. 3-5, etc.) operate on limited days.
Downbound (towards Izukyu-Shimoda) timetable
| Stations | Train 1 (Daily Service) |
|---|---|
| Departing from Tokyo | morning |
| Departing from Shinagawa | ― |
| Departing from Yokohama | ― |
| Departing from Atami | ― |
| Departing from Ito | ― |
| Arriving at Izukyu-Shimoda | Approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes later |
*Special trains operate only on specific days.
Timetable for northbound trains (towards Tokyo)
| Stations | Train 2 (Daily Service) |
|---|---|
| Departing from Izukyu-Shimoda | afternoon |
| Departing from Ito | ― |
| Departing from Atami | ― |
| Departing from Yokohama | ― |
| Departing from Shinagawa | ― |
| Arriving in Tokyo | Approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes later |
*Special trains operate only on specific days.
The (Saphir Odoriko) operates daily as a regular service with southbound Train 1 and northbound Train 2. In addition, there are special trains that operate on select days: southbound Train 3 (Monday, Thursday, Friday), southbound Train 5 (Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays), and northbound Train 4 (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays). On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, there may also be services departing from and arriving at Shinjuku Station and Shibuya Station.
Important Notes on Operating Days and Service Suspensions
Regular trains (No. 1 and No. 2) operate daily throughout the year.
Operating Sections of "Saphir Odoriko"
Main sections
- Tokyo Station to Izukyu-Shimoda Station (via JR Tokaido Line, JR Ito Line, and Izukyu Line)
- Shinjuku Station/Shibuya Station to Izukyu-Shimoda Station (some southbound trains on weekends and holidays)
Izukyu-Shimoda Station is a tourist hub in the southern part of the Izu Peninsula, convenient for visiting Shimoda Port and historical sites related to the opening of Japan in the Bakumatsu period. Stations along the way, such as Ito, Izu-Kogen, and Kawazu, also serve as gateways to East Izu. After passing Odawara, the scenery of Sagami Bay unfolds, and on a clear day, you can even see Izu Oshima Island.
Stations Where "Saphir Odoriko" Stops
Main stops
- Tokyo Station
- Shinagawa Station
- Yokohama Station
- Atami Station
- Ito Station
- Izu-Kogen Station
- Izu-Atagawa Station
- Izu-Inatori Station
- Kawazu Station
- Izukyu-Shimoda Station
*The number of stops may vary depending on the train.
Fares for "Saphir Odoriko"
Representative section fare
| Section | Total Fare (Adult, Regular Season) | Basic Fare | Limited Express Fare / Green Car Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Station to Izukyu-Shimoda Station (Green Car) | 10,540 yen | 4,280 yen | 6,260 yen |
| Tokyo Station to Izukyu-Shimoda Station (Premium Green Car) | 12,940 yen | 4,280 yen | 8,660 yen |
*During peak season, there is an additional charge of 200 yen per adult, and during the busiest peak season, an additional 400 yen. During the off-peak season, there is a 200 yen discount.
Breakdown of Basic Fare and Limited Express/Green Car Fares
The fare for the (Saphir Odoriko) is the sum of the basic fare to your destination, the limited express fare, and the Green Car fare (or Premium Green fare/Green Private Compartment fare). The (Saphir Odoriko) does not have ordinary cars; all cars are Green Cars, so there is no unreserved seat option. Children's tickets and limited express fares are half the adult fare, but the Green Car fare is the same as for adults.
Green Private Compartment Fares
When using a Green Private Compartment (for 4 or 6 people), a private compartment fare is required in addition to the basic fare and limited express fare. If the compartment is used by the full number of people, the fare per person will be almost the same as when using a regular Green Car, but the fare per person will be higher if a smaller group uses the private compartment.
How to Buy Tickets for "Saphir Odoriko"
Eki-net (Internet reservation)
By registering as a member of JR East's internet reservation service "Eki-net," you can reserve and purchase Premium Green and Green Car seats ticketless. Payment is made by credit card, and you can use the ticketless service which eliminates the need to pick up tickets at a station. Limited express tickets go on sale from 10:00 a.m. one month before the date of travel. Membership registration is free, and the ability to check seat availability and make reservations 24 hours a day is also a convenient feature.
Reserved Seat Ticket Machines and Midori-no-madoguchi
You can purchase limited express tickets at designated ticket vending machines and Midori-no-madoguchi at stations starting at 10:00 AM one month before your travel date. Green Private Compartments cannot be reserved through "Eki-net" and can only be purchased at designated ticket vending machines or Midori-no-madoguchi.
Travel agency
Major travel agencies also handle seat reservations for the (Saphir Odoriko) and offer tour packages that include accommodation. Please contact your local travel agency for more details.
How to buy for foreign tourists
The (Saphir Odoriko) is a JR East train, so you can use the JR Pass or JR East Pass to travel on JR lines (such as between Tokyo and Ito). However, the section between Ito Station and Izukyu-Shimoda Station is on the private Izukyu Line and is therefore not covered by the JR Pass. You will need to pay the basic fare and limited express fare separately for this section. Also, even when using a pass, you will need to purchase a separate reserved seat ticket for Green Car or Premium Green seats.
Is a Physical Ticket Required?
If you complete the credit card payment via "Eki-net," you can board the train using the ticketless service by linking your smartphone screen or transportation IC card. If you purchase tickets at a designated seat ticket machine or a Midori-no-madoguchi, you will need to receive a paper limited express ticket before boarding. Green Private Compartments are generally issued as paper tickets due to the nature of the sales locations.
Can IC Cards or Credit Card Touch Payments Be Used?
The entire JR line section of the (Saphir Odoriko) (Tokyo to Ito, etc.) is included in the Suica area, so you can pass through the ticket gates using a Suica or other transportation IC card for the basic fare portion. However, the limited express fare and Green Car fare cannot be paid using the balance on your IC card and must be purchased separately as limited express tickets and Green Car tickets in advance.
IC cards can be used on the Izukyu Line (between Ito Station and Izukyu-Shimoda Station), but they may not be usable on some private railway sections, such as the Izuhakone Railway. Contactless payment with a credit card is not available at ticket gates on the (Saphir Odoriko) operating sections.
Seating Information for "Saphir Odoriko"
Seat type (All seats are Green Car reserved seats)
The (Saphir Odoriko) consists entirely of Green Cars, with no ordinary or unreserved seats. There are four types of seats and private compartments: Premium Green, Green Private Compartments (for 4 or 6 people), and Green Cars.
| Seat Type | Content |
|---|---|
| Premium Green | Car 1, 1+1 seating arrangement, 125cm seat pitch, total 20 seats. |
| Green Private Compartment (for 4 people) | Cars 2 and 3 have four seats facing each other across a table, for a total of four compartments (16 seats). |
| Green Private Compartment (for 6 people) | Cars 2 and 3 have a total of 4 compartments (24 seats) with 6 seats each surrounding a counter table. |
| Green Car | Cars 5-8, 2+1 seating arrangement, 116cm seat pitch, total 104 seats. |
Distinctive seating
The seats in the Premium Green cars can be rotated to face the window, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the ocean view. The Green Private Compartments are equipped with power outlets, and it is also possible to have the cafeteria menu delivered to your compartment. All cars have skylights in the ceiling, allowing passengers to enjoy natural light and the sky view from above in addition to the windows. Seat 1B in Car 1 on southbound trains and seat 1B in Car 8 on northbound trains are popular seats known for their forward view overlooking the driver's cab.
Large luggage storage area
Each carriage is equipped with a large luggage rack that can accommodate suitcases. Green Cars (Cars 5-8) also have transparent glass luggage racks above the seats, designed not to obstruct the light coming through the skylights.
Barrier-free facilities
Car 5 is equipped with wheelchair-accessible seating and a large restroom (barrier-free restroom). If you will be using a wheelchair, we recommend that you contact JR East's ticket office or telephone reservation center in advance.
Ekiben (Station Bento Boxes) and In-Train Gourmet Food on "Saphir Odoriko"
In the cafeteria of Car 4, you can enjoy Italian dishes, sweets, light meals, and exclusive drinks only available on the (Saphir Odoriko), prepared in an open-style kitchen where food is cooked right in front of you. There are counter seats facing the window and tables that can accommodate up to four people, and orders must be placed in advance through the dedicated website "Saphir Pay". If you are using a Green Private Compartment, you can also have your ordered menu delivered to your compartment. The menu is sometimes supervised by a Michelin-starred chef, and the opportunity to enjoy a full meal while gazing out the window is another reason for its popularity.
*Please note that the products and operating hours of the in-train sales and cafeteria may change.
Points to Note When Riding "Saphir Odoriko"
Since all seats on the (Saphir Odoriko) are reserved, if you have decided on your travel date, we recommend making your reservation as soon as it opens (10:00 AM one month before your travel date). Popular private compartments and Premium Green seats often fill up immediately after sales begin, so early reservations are important. The seat numbers are oriented differently for each car, and only Car 8 has the numbers reversed compared to the other cars, so please check your seat number carefully when boarding.
If you wish to use the cafeteria, you will need to reserve your menu in advance via "Saphir Pay". The Izukyu Line (Ito to Izukyu-Shimoda) is not covered by the JR Pass, so pass users should prepare the basic fare and limited express fare separately.
Summary
The (Saphir Odoriko) is a JR East sightseeing limited express train with all Green Car seats connecting Tokyo Station and Izukyu-Shimoda Station. In addition to one regular round trip, there are also extra services. Since all seats are reserved, both a basic fare ticket and a limited express fare/Green Car fare are required. Passengers can choose from a variety of seats, including Premium Green, Green Private Compartments, and Green Car seats, and dining in the cafeteria is also part of the travel experience. The JR Pass can be used on JR lines, but not on the Izukyu Line. This special train allows passengers to fully enjoy the scenery of the Izu sea and sky along with the natural light streaming in through the skylights.
Enjoy a trip to Izu aboard the (Saphir Odoriko), where you can experience a high-quality and elegant journey.
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