The Odoriko Minami Izu Free Kippu by JR East is a rail pass consisting of:
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1)
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A round trip to the Izu Peninsula by JR Odoriko limited express.
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2)
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Unlimited usage of local trains between Shimoda and Ito and Tokai buses in southern Izu.
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The ticket is valid on three consecutive days.
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Odoriko Minami Izu Free Kippu
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From Tokyo
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11,400 Yen
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From Yokohama
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9,900 Yen
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From Odawara
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7,600 Yen
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From Omiya
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11,800 Yen
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Reduced rates (50% off) apply for children aged 6-11.
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The map below shows the train lines to be used for the round trip and within the free area of the Odoriko Minami Izu Free Kippu. As a reference, it also shows the Tokaido Shinkansen and Odakyu Railways, which cannot be used with this free pass.
Validity
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Round trip:
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1)
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The round trip is to be done by JR Odoriko limited express.
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2)
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It is not possible to get off at stations between your departure station and the free area.
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3)
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Seat reservations can be made for free.
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Free Area:
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1)
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Unlimited usage of local trains between Shimoda and Ito.
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2)
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Unlimited usage of most Tokai buses in the southern Izu region, including the buses to Irozaki and Matsuzaki.
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Other Conditions:
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1)
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The ticket is valid on three consecutive days.
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Points of Sale
Major JR railway stations and travel agencies in the Tokyo area.
Assessment
This is a good offer, considering that the regular fare for a round trip to Shimoda by Odoriko limited express alone is already more expensive than the free pass. Budget travelers note, however, that it is possible to do the trip much cheaper by local trains instead of the Odoriko limited express (see alternative train tickets below).
Alternative Train Tickets
JR is also offering the Izu Free Q Kippu, a free pass that covers the whole Izu Peninsula instead of just the south. Despite the significantly larger free area and a validity duration of four instead of three days, the Izu Free Q Kippu is only slightly more expensive than the Odoriko Minami Izu Free Kippu.
Odakyu is offering free passes for several regions of the peninsula, which are significantly cheaper than the JR free passes, but require a less convenient, more time consuming journey.
Below is a summary of how to get from Tokyo to Shimoda and back by train:
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Route
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Duration
(one way)
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Regular Fare
(round trip)
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Free Pass
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By Odakyu (Shinjuku-Odawara),
JR (Odawara-Atami)
and JR/Izukyu (Atami-Shimoda)
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220 minutes
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6,140 Yen
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8,930 Yen
(Odakyu)
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By JR Odoriko (Tokyo-Shimoda)
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160 minutes
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12,920 Yen
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11,400 Yen
(JR)
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