Hello from Kozu! Kozu Train Depot (国府津運輸区 Kōzu unyuku) is located in Odawara City (小田原市), Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県). Together with our male and female colleagues, we provide safe and stable transportation with various trains, including the Limited Express train SAPHIR ODORIKO (サフィール踊り子).
Our team works on the train in the section between Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station and Ito Station. We would like to introduce a nice trip to the Izu (伊豆) area, which is famous for hot springs, delicious foods, and beautiful ocean views from the SAPHIR ODORIKO. Especially among them, we would like to recommend you to try the Japanese wasabi (わさび) that is famous in this area.
SAPHIR ODORIKO
The SAPHIR ODORIKO is a limited express train that runs from Shinjuku Station (新宿駅) in Tokyo to Izukyu Shimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) in Shizuoka Prefecture (静岡県), passing through Kanagawa. You can enjoy travelling in luxury and comfort in relaxing space while viewing the beautiful sea of Izu.
The first-class carriage is a premium Green car that provides private compartments for up to 4–6 people. As seen in our teaser video, the private compartments can be used for various purposes.
The 4th car is a cafeteria which serves amazing meals prepared hot and fresh with local seasonal ingredients which will make your trip even more enjoyable. The food served onboard is supervised by 13-time 1 Michelin-starred chef, Honda Tetsuya, who has a unique culinary vision that combines delicate Japanese sensibilities with the techniques of Italian cuisine.
We guarantee that the SAPHIR ODORIKO will give you a memorable and luxurious experience onboard.
Wasabi
Wasabi is a Japanese spice that is typically used as a condiment for sushi, meat, and kamaboko. In Kozu, you can enjoy a local specialty: Wasabidon, which is a bowl of Japanese rice topped with fresh wasabi and bonito flakes.
Wasabi that grows in the clear waters of Izu tastes especially good. Please come to Izu to enjoy the aroma, spiciness, and even the sweetness of raw wasabi—these flavours can only be tasted when the wasabi root is freshly picked.
Thank you for voting for us in the Let’s vote! 7 virtual tours led by JR East’s train crew campaign. While it is unfortunate that Kozu Train Depot was not selected to host the virtual tour, we’re looking forward to welcoming you aboard to enjoy the views of the sea and delicious hot meals. Also, we hope that you will get to try fresh wasabi that grows in the clear waters of Izu.
As we continue to take thorough precautions against COVID-19, our team is also waiting for you to visit Japan again in the near future.
JAPAN RAIL CLUB
This February 2024, we are excited to collaborate with JR East Yokohama Branch Office to share the gems of Izu with an exclusive Omiyage Snack Box by JAPAN RAIL CLUB. Featuring snacks from all over Izu Peninsula and the rest of Japan, the “With Love, Izu” Snack Box includes the delectable Izu Wasabi Pistachios as well as the local-favourite Shio Katsuo Udon Snack.
Get started on your subscription journey with JAPAN RAIL CLUB by 29 February and enjoy savings of up to SGD55 (USD42) with these two promo codes—applicable when you subscribe to a quarterly (3-month) or bi-annually (6-month) plan with us — “IZUOFF3″ or “IZUOFF6”. The discount code is valid till 29 February 2024. We hope that this box will entice you to make a trip to Izu even further!
Header image credit: Kozu Train Depot
Writer’s profile: We are from the Kozu Train Depot. Enjoy your train and dining journey with us on the SAPHIR ODORIKO on your way to West Kanagawa. Rail travel is the best!
