Japan · Luxury · Scenic
SAPHIR ODORIKO is JR East's E261-series limited express from Tokyo to Izukyu-Shimoda, running via Shinagawa, Yokohama, Atami and the Izukyu line down the east coast of the Izu peninsula. The 11:00 from Tokyo reaches Izukyu-Shimoda at 13:29, about two and a half hours. Every car is a green car: premium green, private compartments, a cafeteria car and panoramic green seating.
Tokyo → Shimoda
2h 29m
JR East
Photo: MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0
The occasion
JR East built the E261 with no ordinary class at all, which changes the feel of a two-hour run. Car one is premium green with single-plus-single seating and a nose window over the driver, cars two and three are private compartments for groups of up to four or six, car four is a working cafeteria where you can order a noodle set, and the rest are green cars with glass sized for the coast. And the coast is the point: south of Atami the line clings to the shoreline through Itō, Izu-Kōgen and Kawazu, with the sea on the left going down. It is a scheduled service rather than a cruise train, so it is bookable at normal Japanese prices and usable as actual transport to Shimoda. Two round trips run every day with additional services on specific weekdays and weekends. Premium green and green seats can be reserved through eki-net; the private compartments cannot, and have to be bought at a ticket office or reserved-seat machine.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: food & drink, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
The route
The published route runs from Tokyo to Shimoda via Shinagawa, Yokohama, Atami, Itō, Izu-Kōgen.
Key stops
TokyoShinagawaYokohamaItōIzu-KōgenIzukyu-Shimoda
Tokyo
Japan
Shinagawa
Japan
Yokohama
Japan
Atami
Japan
Itō
Japan
Izu-Kōgen
Japan
Izukyu-Shimoda
Japan
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
2h 29m
The published route runs from Tokyo to Shimoda via Shinagawa, Yokohama, Atami, Itō, Izu-Kōgen.
Key stops
TokyoShinagawaYokohamaItōIzu-KōgenIzukyu-Shimoda
Tokyo
Japan
Shinagawa
Japan
Yokohama
Japan
Atami
Japan
Itō
Japan
Izu-Kōgen
Japan
Izukyu-Shimoda
Japan
Jan: Two round trips run daily between Tokyo and Izukyu-Shimoda, with additional services on specific weekdays and weekends, including a Shinjuku-origin train at weekends and on holidays.
These months show when the train runs, which is a service fact. How good each month is for the experience has not been rated yet, so no month is presented as better than another.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
The train and the line itself are a large part of the reason to travel.
Luxury seekers
Especially good
Sold as a premium product with service to match.
Budget travellers
Good fit
Unusually good value for the distance and the scenery covered.
Families
Good fit
Short enough, frequent enough or engaging enough to work with children.
Photographers
Published photography score is high for this route's landscapes and structures.
You cannot just turn up
A reservation is required for this journey.
Not yet verified: typical price, rail pass validity. We leave these blank rather than guess.
This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here. Journey length: 2h 29m. Checked 21 Sep 2026 · JR East · SAPHIR ODORIKO.
The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Premium green and green car seats are sold through eki-net. The green private compartments cannot be bought online and must be purchased at a Midori-no-madoguchi ticket office or a reserved-seat ticket machine in Japan.
Check availability with JR East (opens in a new tab)This is the operator's own reservation entry point. Fares and availability are confirmed there, not here.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
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Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 21 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Checked 21 Sep 2026
Checked 21 Sep 2026
Checked 21 Sep 2026