Saphir Odoriko Guide 2026: Booking, Best Seats & JR Pass Fees

Traveling between Tokyo and the Izu Peninsula is about much more than reaching your destination—it can be one of the highlights of your trip. The premium sightseeing train offers panoramic windows, elegant interiors, and a comfortable journey along Japan's scenic Pacific coastline. However, securing a seat on this premium service requires some strategy. This guide explains everything you need to know before boarding, including how to reserve tickets, which carriages provide the best views, how much extra you should expect to pay, and practical tips for securing seats during peak travel seasons.

What Is the Saphir Odoriko Train?

Named after the French word for sapphire, the Saphir Odoriko (サフィール踊り子) is one of Japan's most luxurious scenic limited express trains. Operated by JR East, it runs between Tokyo (and occasionally Shinjuku) and the hot spring resort town of Izukyu-Shimoda at the southern tip of the stunning Izu Peninsula.Launched in March 2020 to replace the aging Super View Odoriko, it represents the pinnacle of JR East's luxury rail travel.

Unlike ordinary limited express trains, every seat on board is Green Class or higher, offering spacious seating, panoramic windows, private compartments, and an onboard cafeteria serving freshly prepared meals.

Highlights include:

• All-Green-Class train (no ordinary cars)

• Premium Green luxury seats

• Private Green Compartments

• Cafeteria Car with fresh meals

• Huge panoramic windows

• Ocean views along the Izu Coast

• Modern minimalist interior inspired by sapphire blue seas

1. Route & Major Stops

A. The Core Route Map & Major Stops

While most daily services depart from Tokyo Station, select seasonal and weekend trains depart from Shinjuku. No matter where you board in the metropolitan area, all trains converge at Yokohama and follow the same coastal route south.The entire journey from Tokyo Station to the final stop, Izukyu-Shimoda, takes roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes.  

Metropolitan Departures:

• Tokyo Station (Main daily departure point)

• Shinagawa

• Shinjuku / Shibuya (Weekend / Seasonal services only)

• Yokohama (The final major city stop before heading into the countryside)

B. The Coastal & Hot Spring Stops (Izu Peninsula)

Once the train reaches the peninsula, it makes a series of stops at famous onsen (hot spring) and beach towns:

• Atami: A famous, bustling seaside resort town known for its steep hills, hot springs, and coastal fireworks festivals.

• Ito: The official boundary where the train switches from JR tracks to the private Izukyu line. Ito is known for peaceful ryokans and coastal volcanic rock formations.

• Izu-Kogen: Famous for its rugged Jogasaki Coast hiking trails, suspension bridges, and cherry blossom tunnels.

• Izu-Atagawa & Izu-Inatori: Smaller, highly authentic hot spring villages. Inatori is particularly famous for Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper), a local culinary delicacy.

• Kawazu: World-famous for the Kawazu-zakura—a specific variety of cherry blossoms that bloom early (typically throughout February), turning the riverbanks bright pink.

• Izukyu-Shimoda (Terminal Stop): The end of the line. Shimoda offers emerald waters, white-sand beaches, and rich history as one of the first Japanese ports opened to Western ships.

2. Car Classes & Layouts

The Saphir Odoriko consists of 8 cars, offering three premium seating options.All window seats facing east provide standard panoramic views.

Car 1: Premium Green (プレミアムグリーン)

• ➤   Capacity: Only 20 seats in the entire car.

• ➤   Layout: 1+1 configuration (only two seats per row).  

• ➤   The Vibe: Ultimate luxury and quiet. If you are traveling as a solo traveler or a couple wanting maximum personal space, this is the car to book.

Key Features:

• Large panoramic windows with skylights on the roof.

• Pivoting seats that can face the window or travel companions.

• Power recline with adjustable footrest via control panel.

• Reading light, USB charging port, cup holder, and fold-out table.

• Electrical outlets.

• Views of the train master's cabin from Car 1.

Cars 2 & 3: Green Car Private Compartments (グリーン個室)

• ➤   Capacity & Layout:: Car 2 features four 4-person compartments; Car 3 features four 6-person compartments.

• ➤   The Vibe: Ideal for families or small groups of friends. These closed doors give you a private lounge space complete with comfortable couches, a private table, and personal climate control.

Key Features:

• Cafe-like private atmosphere.

• Secluded, quiet space.

• Large reclining seats.

• Plenty of legroom.

• USB charging.

• Power outlets.

• Ideal for families or small groups.

Car 4: Cafeteria Car

The onboard cafeteria offers light meals, drinks, and exclusive menu items.The passengers can enjoy freshly prepared ramen, local specialty snacks, and craft beers while watching the scenery speed by.

Due to high demand, you must reserve a dining slot and pre-order your meals via the mobile web application Saphir Pay once you have secured your train ticket. View more

Cars 5–8: Green Cars (グリーン車)

Even though this is the "base" class of the train, it rivals standard first-class on any Shinkansen. Skylight windows flood the train with natural light.

• ➤   Layout: A spacious 2+1 layout (two seats on the mountain side, one solo seat on the ocean side).

• ➤   The Vibe: Though it is the "standard" class of this train, it is significantly more luxurious than standard Green Cars on Shinkansen lines. Legroom is massive, and seats feature individual reading lights and power outlets.

Key Features:

• Spacious, comfortable seating.

• Skylights with sunlight streaming through glass luggage shelves.

• Reclining seats with reading lights.

• Electrical outlets.

• Fold-out tables and cup holders.

🔔 Pro-Tip: To get the best ocean views, book Seats A or B when heading southbound towards Shimoda, as the sea sits on the left side of the tracks.

3. Timetable (2026)

The Saphir Odoriko typically runs 2 to 3 round trips per day, with more services on weekends and holidays.

Please check the latest timetable for which days the train is in operation and which stations it will stop at along the way.

4. Fares and Charges

Saphir Odoriko tickets include three combined components: the basic rail fare, the Limited Express surcharge, and the Green Car surcharge. Because every car is first-class or above, the prices reflect a premium experience. 

• Children (Ages 6–11): Receive an approximate 50% discount on the basic fare and limited express surcharge portions, though Green Car seat fees remain at full cost.

• Infants (Ages 1–5): Travel for free if sitting on an adult's lap. However, if they require their own designated seat or if you are booking a private compartment where they count toward the total headcount capacity, a child's ticket must be purchased.

How to Buy the Tickets?

Reservations open exactly 30 days prior to departure at 10:00 AM JST. Due to its popularity, Premium Green (Car 1) and Private Compartments (Cars 2 & 3) often sell out within minutes of release, especially for weekend departures.

Option 1: Online via JR-EAST Train Reservation (Highly Recommended)

• Best for: Premium Green (Car 1) and Standard Green (Cars 5-8).

• Process:

  1. Go to the official JR-EAST Train Reservation website.

  2. If you have a JR Pass, log in and select "Reserve seat using rail pass."

  3. Search for "Saphir Odoriko" on your desired date.

  4. Select your preferred seat map (opt for Ocean Side - Row A/B).

  5. Pay the calculated supplement fees online using your credit card.

Option 2: At a JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi)

• Best for: Green Private Compartments (Cars 2 & 3).

• Process: Private compartments cannot easily be booked using the English online portal. If you want a private compartment, visit a major JR East Ticket Office or a Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine in Japan as soon as the 30-day window opens.

• Pro-Tip: If booking a compartment, the fee is flat-rated based on the room size (4-person or 6-person), meaning the cost per person is cheaper if you fill the room.

Option 3: Klook / Third-Party Platforms

Booking the Saphir Odoriko through a third-party platform like Klook is a highly popular option for overseas travelers. It allows you to bypass navigation of the somewhat rigid official JR East website, handles international credit cards without issue, and allows you to book in your local currency.  

While official JR tickets do not officially go on sale until exactly 30 days before travel (at 10:00 AM JST), Klook allows you to submit a booking request up to 90 days in advance.Klook does not possess hidden tickets. They simply take your request, hold your money, and have an automated system (or ticketing agent) manually attempt to purchase your ticket the millisecond the official JR window opens 30 days out.

If you want to book the luxury 4-person or 6-person private lounges (Cars 2 and 3), you cannot do it through Klook. JR East strictly mandates that private compartments can only be reserved through physical JR ticket offices inside Japan or via official JR ticket vending machines. Klook can only book individual seats in the Standard Green Car (Cars 5–8) and the Premium Green Car (Car 1).  

JR Pass Fees & Supplements Explained

Because the Saphir Odoriko is an all-first-class train and operates partially over a private railway line (the Izukyu Railway between Ito and Izukyu-Shimoda), the nationwide Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) does not fully cover the journey.

Here is the exact breakdown of what you must pay depending on the pass you hold.

If you hold a Nationwide JR Pass (Green Car version):

• What is covered: The pass covers the "base fare" and standard limited express fees up until Ito Station.

• What you must pay extra (Approximate Supplements):

  • To Ito (Standard Green Car): Fully covered.

  • To Izukyu-Shimoda (Standard Green Car): You must pay roughly ¥2,840 out of pocket to cover the private Izukyu line segment.

  • To Izukyu-Shimoda (Premium Green / Car 1): You must pay the private line fee plus the Premium upgrade fee, totaling roughly ¥5,000 to ¥6,000 extra per person.

If you hold a Nationwide JR Pass (Ordinary Car version):

• Because the train has no ordinary cars, you must pay the entire Green Car upgrade fee plus the private railway supplement if passing Ito, making it much less economical. You are better off taking the standard, less-luxurious Odoriko train which is covered by an Ordinary JR Pass.

If you hold a JR TOKYO Wide Pass

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass covers the entire route to Izukyu-Shimoda, but only for ordinary trains (such as the standard Odoriko train).

• For the Saphir Odoriko, the pass covers the base fare all the way to Izukyu-Shimoda.

• You must pay the Limited Express Fee + Green Car Surcharge for the entire journey (approx. ¥5,000 to ¥6,000 depending on the car class).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Saphir Odoriko worth it?

Premium green car seats are spacious and there are only two in each row, so they afford magnificent views of the coastal scenery. There are even private compartments for groups of up to six people. If you're staying in a luxury ryokan down on the Izu Peninsula, it makes good sense to take the Saphir Odoriko.

How long does Saphir Odoriko last?

The train typically departs from Tokyo Station at 11:00, arrives at Atami Station at approximately 12:17, Ito Station at 12:36, Kawazu Station at 13:18, and finally reaches Izukyū-Shimoda Station at 13:29, making the total train ride from the first station to the last station close to 2.5 hours.

Is food included?

No. Meals and drinks are purchased separately, and some specialty dishes require advance reservation.

Do I need to book a reservation for oversized luggage?

No. Unlike certain Shinkansen lines (like the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto/Osaka) that require special "Oversized Baggage" seat reservations for luggage with total dimensions between 160 cm and 250 cm, the Saphir Odoriko does not have this specific reservation system.

Each car features dedicated, spacious luggage storage racks near the entrance doors for large suitcases, and the standard overhead racks are large enough for typical carry-ons. You can bring up to two bags (under 30 kg each) free of charge.

Does the train have Wi-Fi and power outlets?

Yes. Every seat across all classes—Premium Green, Private Compartments, and Standard Green—is equipped with its own dedicated AC 100V power outlet (integrated into the armrests or walls) and access to free JR-EAST FREE Wi-Fi.

Is smoking permitted on the train?

No. The Saphir Odoriko is completely non-smoking. There are no designated smoking seats, and unlike some older Japanese trains, it does not feature internal ventilation smoking rooms.

Is the Saphir Odoriko different from the regular Odoriko?

Yes. The Saphir Odoriko is the premium version — it has all-Green-Class seating, a more luxurious interior, an onboard cafeteria, and makes fewer stops. The regular Odoriko has standard class seating and is cheaper.

Can I cancel or change my reservation?

Cancellation and refund policies follow standard JR East limited express rules. For specific policies, check the JR-East Train Reservation website or inquire at a JR Ticket Office.

Can I get a refund if I miss the train?

Generally, reserved seat tickets are valid only for the specified train. Missed trains typically require purchasing a new ticket. Check with JR staff for exceptions.