The Odoriko is a limited express train similar to the Super View Odoriko, except with more stops made and non-reserved seats are available. It also operates with 185 series EMUs which are older and the windows does not offer panoramic views as compared with the seat-to-ceiling windows on the Super View Odoriko. Nevertheless, as the train timing fits my visit to Shimoda, I headed back to Tokyo with the Limited Express Odoriko 114.
The facade of Izukyu-Shimoda Station on the departures side.
The entrance to Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
The simple departure hall of Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
As I had missed my earlier booked Super View Odoriko back to Tokyo, I simply made a new reservation for the Odoriko 114 at Izukyu-Shimoda Station thanks to the convenience of the JR TOKYO Wide Pass.
Heading to the ticketing counter at Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
The fares for the Izu-Kyuko Line and integrated fares to Tokyo and Osaka as stated on the board above the ticketing counter.
My new seat reservation for the Odoriko 114 from Izukyu-Shimoda to Tokyo.
Heading to the departure area to wait for my train. Unlike many other Japanese railway stations, Izukyu-Shimoda only opens the doors to the platform when the train is about to depart.
There is an additional waiting room near the entrance to the platform if you would so prefer to head there to wait for your train.
The interior of the waiting room is decorated in The Royal Express luxury sightseeing train theme.
Seats are arranged in a relaxed manner like a hotel or home.
A ball pit and separate children’s lounge seating area is also available for restless children to entertain themselves.
About 10 minutes before departure, the gates to the platform are opened.
Tickets and passes are checked by station staff before being allowed to enter the platform area.
The Odoriko 185 series EMU is parked beside an ex-Tokyu 8000 series EMU for the next local train departure.
The Odoriko 185 series EMU at Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
The destination sign of the Limited Express Odoriko 114 for Tokyo.
The JR logo by the side of the train doors.
Boarding the Odoriko 114 at my Car No. 3.
The interior of the Ordinary Car on board the Odoriko.
Seats are arranged in 2+2 formation.
The legroom and view on board the Odoriko Ordinary Car.
The various equipment and name plates around the bulkhead area.
The builder plate of the 185 series EMU.
Only Japanese-style squat toilets are available in Ordinary Car.
A separate wash basin area is available across from the toilet cubicle.
Time for a quick visit to the Green Car at Cars 4 and 5 before departure.
Western-style sitting toilets are available in the Green Car.
A standalone wash basin area is also available.
A Japanese-style squat toilet is also available.
Seats on the Odoriko Green Car are arranged in 2+2 formation.
While the configuration is similar to the Ordinary Car, the legroom is more generous.
The legroom on board the Odoriko Green Car.
A footrest is also available.
Heading back to my Ordinary Car seat as the train departs from Izukyu-Shimoda.
A Super View Odoriko 251 series EMU stabling after Izukyu-Shimoda to form the last Super View Odoriko 10 service to Ikebukuro.
Leaving Shimoda through some tunnels in hills.
Crossing with a local ex-Tokyu 8000 series EMU.
Approaching Kawazu.
Here, I realised that the windows of the 185 series EMU did open. I thought this was going to be the Mediocre View Odoriko, but this is becoming the Super Super View Odoriko instead.
Making a brief stop at Kawazu.
Departing from Kawazu.
Crossing with a Super View Odoriko. I think I prefer my open-air open-window view, thank you.
The windows did not go all the way up though, just half a pane, enough for you to look out. Perhaps JR East fixed it as such as the train is air-conditioned.
It’s a lot more refreshing to travel by the coast with open train windows.
Approaching Atagawa.
Making a brief stop at Izu-Atagawa.
Heading on north.
Making a brief stop at Izu-Kogen.
Crossing with the Red Resort 21 Izukyu KINME Train x Izukyu Resort 21 Red Plarail Train at Izu-Kogen.
The panoramic seats that the Resort 21 offers at the front and rear train cars.
Passing by The Royal Express in Izu-Kogen Depot.
Passing by an ex-Tokyu 8000 series EMU in Izu-Kogen Depot.
Trudging on north.
Crossing with ex-Tokyu 8000 series Set TB7.
Does the car number look somewhat familiar as if it’s in operation in Jakarta instead? Turns out that these are not the original numbers as Izukyu renumbered the cars to their own registration. クハ8007 is originally クハ8016.
On the other hand, PT KCI kept the original Japanese registration numbers on the train cars.
Curving towards Minami-Ito.
Passing by AEON MaxValu Ito Ekimae. I wonder what the prices are in Japan.
Entering Ito Station.
Making a brief stop at Ito, also for a crew change as the Izukyu crew disembarks and the JR East crew takes over.
Passing by MEGA Don Quijote Ito.
Heading on by the Sagami Bay.
Passing by Japanese houses along the way.
Crossing with a chartered 185 series EMU at Ajiro.
The chartered sign on the 185 series EMU.
This is interesting, the sets are coupled at Cars 6 and 7. Considering that there are only 10-, 7- or 5-car sets, the maths doesn’t add up. Unfortunately I didn’t take note of the actual set formation.
Continuing inland.
Crossing with an ex-Tokyu 8000 series at Izu-Taga Station.
Seeing double?
Nope, it’s just that Izukyu’s trains carry their own new numbering. Izukyu’s クハ8003 is actually ex-クハ8044, while PT KCI’s クハ8003 is the original one. Hmm, I’m starting to think Indonesia is better at keeping the original trains as it is than Japan.
Heading further inland.
Approaching the Tokaido Main Line.
Getting overtaken by a E231 series on the straighter Tokaido Main Line.
Making a brief stop outside Atami Station for the Odoriko 114 from Shuzenji ahead to get ready for coupling.
Vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force patrolling off the coast of Atami.
Heading into Atami Station.
Passing by the Resort 21 Kurofune Train or The Black Ship Train at Atami.
The station sign of Atami showing the split of the Tokaido Main Line and Ito Line.
Continuing on to Tokyo on the Tokaido Main Line.
The Odoriko travels a lot faster from here on, making it too fast for comfort to keep the window open with the loud wind sound and wind speeds of 110km/h blowing into my face. As such, I shut the windows from here onward.
A last look at Sagami Bay before heading all the way inland.
Crossing with an Odakyu 30000 series EXE before Odawara Station.
Making a brief stop at Odawara Station.
An Odakyu 3000 series heading on to the Odawara Line.
Heading on to Tokyo beside the JR Central Shinkansen tracks.
Mount Fuji can be seen from the Odoriko.
That’s a really huge factory for toilet equipment.
The now-15-car Odoriko taking a curve, which is unfortunately travelling too fast to open the windows, if not it would have made for a better photo.
Travelling beside the Sotetsu Line.
Making a brief stop at Yokohama.
Passing by Yokohama Line trains.
Crossing with an EH500-hauled mixed freight train.
Crossing over the Tama River into Tokyo.
Entering the Yamanote Loop Line.
Making a brief stop at Shinagawa.
Splitting slightly away from the Yokosuka Line tracks.
Passing by Shinagawa Carriage Sidings, Shinagawa Locomotive Depot and Tamachi Depot.
Crossing with an N700 Shinkansen.
Running by Tokyo Monorail tracks.
Overtaking a Yamanote Line train.
Crossing with a Yamanote Line train.
Overtaking a Keihin-Tohoku Line train.
Crossing with another N700 Shinkansen.
Approaching Tokyo Station.
Disembarking from the Odoriko 114 at Tokyo Station.
The destination sign changes to Off Service.
Heading down from the platform.
Overall, a surprisingly pleasant ride on the Odoriko 114. While initially I thought that the train was only good for transport, turns out that the open windows made all the difference. With the news about the impending change of 185 series EMUs to refurbished E257-2000 series EMUs from the Chuo Line, I have mixed feelings about it since the newer trains do not have windows that open for sightseeing.