Odoriko


The Odoriko is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company, Central Japan Railway Company, Izukyu Corporation and Izuhakone Railway, which runs between and or in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Summary

The Odoriko started service from October 1981, with the then-new 185 series rolling stock, replacing the earlier Amagi limited express and the Izu express. After that, the Super View Odoriko also operated from April 1990 to 13 March 2020, with the 251 series rolling stock. On 14 March 2020, Saphir Odoriko started service using E261 series EMUs.

Regular services

''Odoriko''

3 services operate back and forth everyday between Tokyo and Izukyu-Shimoda. 2 of which are coupled with services that go to Shuzenji. Vending services are available between Tokyo and Ito, but aren't available aboard temporary services. Aside from that, there are temporary services originating from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. Also, with the Ueno-Tokyo Line opening in March 2015, there are temporary services originating at Abiko, via the Joban Line; and also at Omiya, via the Ueno-Tokyo Line.

Stations served

; Tokyo ー Izukyu-Shimoda:
; Atami ー Shuzenji:
Temporary services
; Ikebukuro ー Yokohama:
; Abiko ー Tokyo:
; Omiya ー Tokyo:

Formation

Services are operated by 5, 7, 5+7, 10 and 10+5-car 185 series EMUs. The 15 car formation makes the Odoriko the longest Limited Express train running in Japan. They are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Izukyū-Shimoda/Shuzenji end.

''Saphir Odoriko''

The Saphir Odoriko commenced operations on 14 March 2020 to replace the Super View Odoriko as an ultra-deluxe version of the regular Odoriko. One Saphir Odoriko service runs to and from Tokyo station daily. During the peak travel season, an additional service runs from, and another runs from.
Stations served
Tokyo - Izukyu-Shimoda
- - - - - - - - -
Shinjuku - Izukyu-Shimoda
- - - - - - - - - -
Formation
Trains are operated by E261 series trainsets. The trains feature all Green Cars, with Car 1 designated as a 'Premium Green Car' with 2 large reclining seats per row.
The Saphir Odoriko does not operate from, or as the former Super View Odoriko used to. These services were consolidated with the regular Odoriko services.

Temporary services

''Resort Odoriko''

The Resort Odoriko is a temporary service, which operates between Tokyo and Izukyū-Shimoda. The service normally consists of one outbound journey to Izukyu-Shimoda at special holidays only.

Stations served

;Tokyo ー Izukyu-Shimoda:

Formation

Resort Odoriko services operate using Izukyū 2100 series "Resort 21" 8-car EMUs, formed as shown below, where car 1 at the Izukyū-Shimoda end, and car 8 at the Tokyo end.
Car No.12345678
AccommodationReserved, Observation deckReservedReservedReservedGreenReservedReservedReserved, Observation deck

Former services

''Super View Odoriko''

The Super View Odoriko was the first deluxe version of the Odoriko operated from 28 April 1990 to 13 March 2020. It used 251 series 10-car EMUs and runs between Tokyo or and Izukyū-Shimoda. The service was originally scheduled to commence from the start of the revised timetable on 10 March 1990, but rolling stock delivery delays meant that services were substituted by regular Odoriko services using 185 series EMUs.
On weekdays, one train operated from Shinjuku to Izukyu-Shimoda, 2 trains operated back and forth between Tokyo and Izukyu-Shimoda, and one train operated from Izukyu-Shimoda to Ikebukuro each day.
On weekends, the Shinjuku-originating train changed originating station to Ikebukuro. Aside from that, services from Shinjuku to Izukyu-Shimoda and from Izukyu-Shimoda to Tokyo operated once a day. Moreover, during busy seasons, there were numerous extra services, with one extended service between Omiya and Izukyu-Shimoda, which ran along the Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Omiya to Yokohama; 2 trains from Tokyo to Izukyu-Shimoda, with only 1 returning to Tokyo; and one train from Izukyu-Shimoda to Shinjuku.

Stations served

Stations in brackets meant that some services made stop there.
; Tokyo ー Izukyu-Shimoda:
; Ikebukuro ー Yokohama:
Temporary services
; Omiya ー Ikebukuro:

Formation

Super View Odoriko trains were operated with 251 series trains, with cars 1, 2 and 10 being double decker cars. Trains were formed as follows, with car 1 at the Izukyū-Shimoda end, and car 10 at the Tokyo and Shinjuku end.
Car No.12345678910
NumberingKuRo 250SaRo 251MoHa 250MoHa 251-100MoHa 250-100MoHa 251MoHa 250MoHa 251SaHa 251KuHa 251
AccommodationGreen, Observation deckGreenReservedReserved　ReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedReserved, Observation deck
AccommodationGreen Car exclusive loungeCompartmentsReservedReserved　ReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedChildren's play area

''Marine Express Odoriko''

From 1 December 2012, seasonal Marine Express Odoriko services were introduced, running between Tokyo and Izukyū-Shimoda. The service normally consisted of one return journey at weekends only. JR East announced that from the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2020, Marine Express Odoriko services would be discontinued as they were surplus to requirements.

Stations served

;Tokyo ー Izukyu-Shimoda:

Formation

Marine Express Odoriko services operated using E259 series 6-car EMUs normally used on Narita Express services. The formation is shown below, where car 1 at the Izukyū-Shimoda end, and car 6 at the Tokyo end.
Car No.123456
AccommodationReservedReservedReservedReservedReservedGreen

History

The limited express service was inaugurated on 1 October 1981 following the introduction of the then-new 185 series EMUs, replacing the earlier Amagi limited express and Izu express services from Tokyo to Izu.
The Superview Odoriko operated from April 1990 until 13 March 2020. The Saphir Odoriko has been operating since 14 March 2020.

Future development

Since the current rolling stock, the 185 series is aging, there are plans to replace those rolling stock.
The 185 series are beginning to be replaced by new E257-2000 series trains that used to operate Azusa and Kaiji limited express services on the Chuo Main Line, and were replaced by E353 series trains. JR East plans to have all 185 series trains operating on the Odoriko service replaced by 2021.

Namesake

The word odoriko means dancing girl in Japanese. The train service was named after the title of novel Izu no Odoriko by Yasunari Kawabata. The stage of the novel is the destination of the train, Izu Peninsula.
There are numerous services operating between Tokyo and the Izu Peninsula, which had all been discontinued and became the Odoriko limited express today.