{"id":4623,"date":"2025-05-06T10:24:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T01:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wagahaiwaushi.com\/?p=4623"},"modified":"2025-05-04T16:26:38","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T07:26:38","slug":"i-definitely-want-to-try-this-shimodas-kinmedai-gourmet-and-the-exquisite-travel-experience-of-the-saphir-odoriko-a-trip-to-izukyu-shimoda-with-only-a-2-5-hour-stay%ef%bc%88english-ver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wagahaiwaushi.com\/?p=4623","title":{"rendered":"[I definitely want to try this!] Shimoda’s kinmedai gourmet and the exquisite travel experience of the Saphir Odoriko | A trip to Izukyu Shimoda with only a 2.5 hour stay\uff08English ver.\uff09"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I went to Izu Shimoda<\/strong>. I didn’t particularly desire to visit Shimoda\u2014I just wanted to ride the Saphir Odoriko train. That’s all. Shimoda just happened to be its final stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, since I was going there anyway, I wanted to know what Shimoda had to offer, so I did some research. I discovered that during the Edo period, Perry arrived in Shimoda with his black ships<\/strong>, and that Shimoda has high catches of kinmedai<\/strong> (splendid alfonsino fish). Those were the only notable points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although I made a special trip to Shimoda, let me tell you about my hurried yet fulfilling journey with only 2.5 hours<\/strong> to spend there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shimoda 2.5-Hour Travel Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Touring Shimoda was actually a secondary consideration. My plan was as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Enjoy the Saphir Odoriko train<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Board the Susquehanna ship<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Eat kinmedai (splendid alfonsino)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Feel the history at Perry Road<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Return on the 16:01 Odoriko train<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Take the Narita Express between Yokohama and Shinagawa on the way back<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    This schedule may lack some travel romance, but with only 2.5 hours available, it couldn’t be helped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I planned to take this limited express train and return according to this itinerary. Yes, I’ll emphasize again that I would only have from 13:29 to 16:01\u2014just 2.5 hours\u2014in Shimoda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nevertheless, I had always wanted to ride the Saphir Odoriko at least once in my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\u8e0a\u308a\u5b50\u53f7\"
    \u8e0a\u308a\u5b50\u5144\u5f1f<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    For those unfamiliar with the Saphir Odoriko, please look at this to appreciate its appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I had a window C seat<\/strong> designed for one person, and to cut to the chase, it was extremely comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the Saphir Odoriko, as shown in the diagram, taking a C seat<\/strong> when traveling alone will undoubtedly free you from the annoyance of neighbors and ensure a comfortable journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Having already issued my ticket in advance using “Eki-Net,” boarding at my departure station went smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Learning from my previous experience, I was concerned that eating a substantial boxed lunch would leave no room for my semi-main objective\u2014kinmedai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So I decided to use ecute and other shops in Shinagawa Station. There I got:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • A butter cheese croquette from Kobe Croquette<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Two inari sushi from Mameda<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Just recently, when I took a solo trip to Gifu, I purchased a chicken nanban bento from Tsukada Farm. Shinagawa Station’s interior is truly well-stocked with bento options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You can see my rushed solo journey to Gifu by checking the link below to enjoy the scenes from my whirlwind Gifu day trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      And finally, upon boarding my long-awaited Saphir Odoriko, my impression was that it’s an extremely comfortable train. No regrets in my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      By the way, you can also reach there by Shinkansen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Now, let’s have an early lunch. This Kobe Croquette is truly delicious\u2014when you cut into it with chopsticks, melted butter flows out. I finished most of it by the time we passed Yokohama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For a while, I gazed at the scenery passing by the window, but the journey is long and I soon grew tired of the view, so I read a novel. I’m a Harukist who has read all his novels, but “Killing Commendatore” was still unread. Since the previous worldwide sensation “1Q84” completely matched my taste and I felt I hadn’t had enough of Haruki’s world, I hesitated to reach for his latest work for a while. But this one turned out to be quite enjoyable with his world fully displayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      While thus occupied, the Saphir Odoriko approached Shimoda. At this point, I went to explore the train. At the front Premium Green Car, a celebrity-like view awaits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I was in a regular Green Car, but it was plenty comfortable. There’s even a compartment. The dining car, which is uncommon, is also attached. Although I could only post official photos due to various circumstances, this gives you the general idea. When passing through the dining car, all staff greeted me with a “Hello~”, adding color to my brief journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Finally Arriving in Shimoda (Already Feeling Like Perry)<\/h2>\n\n\n