By AYATERU HOSOZAWA/ Staff Writer
December 17, 2019 at 17:45 JST
East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) has created a “gem” of a new luxury train that will connect central Tokyo and the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture starting in March.
All eight cars of the Saphir Odoriko limited express train will feature premium seating, as well as skylights and wide windows that provide a sense of openness.
“Saphir” is the French word for sapphire. The train has a base color of deep blue, inspired by the sea and sky of the Izu area.
The 164-seat train, shown to the media on Dec. 16 at a rail yard near JR Shinagawa Station in Tokyo, will run between Shinjuku Station and Izukyu-Shimoda Station.
Seats in the front car of the train heading to Izu will be more luxurious than premium seating and those in first-class “green” cars. The car will contain two seats per row on only one of its sides.
The car has no baggage racks above the seats, allowing passengers to enjoy unimpeded views through the windows and skylights.
According to JR East, the Tohoku and Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains have Gran Class cars that are at a higher luxury level than green cars. But the Saphir Odoriko is the first limited express train on an existing railway to have seats more luxurious than premium ones, the company said.
Compartments in the second and third cars have sofas and tables to make passengers feel like they are traveling in a cafe.
In the fourth car, the railway operator plans to offer ramen dishes prepared under the supervision of a head chef at Den, a popular Japanese-style restaurant in Tokyo.
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The Saphir Odoriko limited express luxury train that will connect central Tokyo and the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture is shown at a rail yard near Shinagawa Station on Dec. 16. (Ayateru Hosozawa)
