JR East unveils luxury Saphir Odoriko express with all first-class seating

Japan know, trains, only if America can learn too love a train,in Houston, they have Trans, that operate on pedestrian street alongside cars Google Houston Metrorail

Could our rail and bus system use improvement? Sure. No disrespect but to understand our transportation needs you really need a geography lesson. It's all about land mass and convenience here and frankly we're just not setup for that regardless of what you may hear or read. Simply would not work here in Houston as it does in Japan.

Must be nice to sit in the window and view the plebs who can't afford a ticket.

That’s one, extremely negative way to look at it. When I sit next to the window in the green car, I’m always thinking how fortunate I am and I hope everyone gets to experience it at some point. But, I’m a bit of a hippy like that.

Japan know, trains, only if America can learn too love a train,in Houston, they have Trans, that operate on pedestrian street alongside cars Google Houston Metrorail

Here you go Jeff, shots of the interior. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/12/f26b9bdff83f-jr-east-unveils-luxury-saphir-odoriko-express.html

Photos of something other than the exterior?

The train operator, also known as JR East, newly created two E261 series trains for the service, meaning that the 251 series Super View Odoriko express trains currently connecting the capital and Izu will be scrapped.

That seems like a major waste of resources. Why not just repurpose the older trains? Are trains designed for this line incompatible with other lines or something?

Many countries have a thing they excel at and set a global standard for others to aspire to. For Japan it’s trains.

Educator60Today  06:27 pm JST

“JR East unveils luxury Saphir Odoriko express with all first-class seating” 

“while the remaining cars feature standard Green Car or first class seating.”

The headline and article seem to be disagreeing with each other.

I think the report means “while the remaining cars feature standard first class seating, known on JR trains as Green Car”. So we have one "Green Car Premium", two "Green Car Private Compartments", one dining car and four (standard first class) "Green Car" carriages.

The problem with the train line down the Izu peninsula is that it is a slow, infrequent single-line service and in summer the express "Odoriko-go" trains are fully-booked. Replacing them with a more expensive "Saphir" version is just a way to make more profit from the inadequate service, instead of allowing more ordinary visitors to travel to the Shimoda and Minami Izu area.

My local shop does ramen any way you like. Fresh cooked to order with toppings as requested.

basic is less than 1000¥

smoke and mirrors.

Looks pretty fab! I always drive to Shimoda but may have to try this once.

Here are some views of the interior, including a video tour: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/12/f26b9bdff83f-jr-east-unveils-luxury-saphir-odoriko-express.html

I recommend tourists take left side seats of the train. You can enjoy fine view of ocean.

The older, humbler 185 series 特急踊り子 (from the Kawabata Yasunari short story "The Dancing Girl of Izu"), 5730￥ (non-reserved) from Tokyo Station, will continue to operate. Think that's expensive? Take a bus. Or don't go.

I there's one thing Japan does right (it's obviously not just one, far from that), it's these amazing trains.

Tom:

I did not know Japanese noodles could be made to order like Italian noodles such Al Dente.

You did not know that? You can order Ramen "katame" or "yawarakame" with several stages in between. Also thin or thick noodles. I guess if you say nothing, they just give you the average version. I dont know why people scoff on Ramen... I don´t think we are talking about cup noodles here.

Nice way to go to Shimoda. Want to try this!

Must be nice to sit in the window and view the plebs who can't afford a ticket.

Noodles? And they call that luxury?

Hey!

cooked to order

That's a premium service right there!

Well another overpriced train service.

The fourth car is a cafeteria serving noodles cooked to order

Noodles? And they call that luxury?

Another technological marvel from Japan in the trains.

Really nice.

Cost? How are the windows in the compartments?

I did not know Japanese noodles could be made to order like Italian noodles such Al Dente.

Will try that at my local Ramen place.

Can’t wait to ride this. Another member of my family will also be well into it.