Infrastructure • High speed Rail • Japan • JR East
Summary: The JR East Shinkansen is a high-speed rail network operated by the East Japan Railway Company, linking Tokyo with eastern and northern Honshu. Key lines include the Tōhoku Shinkansen (Tokyo to Shin-Aomori), Jōetsu Shinkansen (Tokyo to Niigata), Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo to Kanazawa), and the mini-Shinkansen branches, Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen. Known for advanced trains like the E5 Series, which reaches speeds of up to 320 km/h. The JR East Research and Development Center focuses on advancing railway technology, enhancing safety, sustainability, and passenger experience. It innovates in areas like high-speed trains, earthquake resilience, and energy efficiency.
➤ See also:
Shinkansen overview –
Shinkansen infrastructure and stations –
JR Hokkaïdo –
JR Central –
JR West –
JR Kyushu➤ See also:
High speed train in France –
High speed train in Germany –
High speed train in Italy –
Economics
Note: this page is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for the official page of the operating company or manufacturer.
👉 (Version française disponible)
In brief
In April 1987, the Japanese National Railways (JNR) were divided into seven companies: one for freight and six for passenger transport, known as JR. We will briefly present the high-speed rolling stock of each of these companies : JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West and JR Kyushu.
The JR East Shinkansen, operated by the East Japan Railway Company, is a cornerstone of Japan’s high-speed rail network, linking Tokyo to key regions in eastern Honshu. Key lines include the Tōhoku Shinkansen, Japan’s longest high-speed route, stretching 674.9 km from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori, with speeds reaching 320 km/h.
Caracteristics
Infrastructure managers: JR East
Operators: JR East
First services: June 1982
Lenght of Shinkansen network : 675 km
Speed : 250 to 320km/h
The Jōetsu Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Niigata, famous for its stunning winter landscapes, while the Hokuriku Shinkansen links Tokyo to Kanazawa, providing access to historic and coastal attractions. The Yamagata and Akita Shinkansen are mini-Shinkansen lines, offering seamless connections to more rural areas.
JR East employs advanced train models like the E5 Series, known for its luxurious “Gran Class” seating and impressive speed, and the E7 Series, designed for comfort and sustainability. Safety features include earthquake detection systems and resilient infrastructure to ensure reliable operations.
Definition of High Speed Train
The definition of a high-speed train varies by region, but generally, it refers to trains that operate at speeds of at least
250 km/h (155 mph) on newly built lines and 200 km/h (124 mph) on upgraded lines. In Europe, for example, the UIC (International Union of Railways) considers a commercial speed of
250 km/h as the principal criterion for high-speed rail. In the United States, the definition can include trains operating at speeds ranging from 180 km/h (110 mph) to 240 km/h (150 mph).
➤
See the UIC definition
National rolling stock (past and present)
E1 series (†)
Hitachi Rail, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
1994 –
2012
Developed to accommodate the increasing number of Shinkansen commuters, this vehicle was the first Shinkansen train to have all cars in a double-decker configuration . Six 12-car trains (72 cars) were manufactured between March 1994 and November 1995 .
E2 series (†)
Hitachi
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Nippon Sharyo
Tokyu Car Corporation
1997 –
(2013)
The E2 series is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type operated by JR East since 1997 on the Tohoku Shinkansen. It features 8- and 10-car sets, with a maximum speed of 275 km/h (171 mph). A total of 502 vehicles were built until 2010, with operations including Yamabiko and past services like Hayate and Asama. Withdrawals began in 2013.
E3 series (†)
Mini-shinkansen
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Tokyu Car Corporation
1997 –
(2013)
The E3 series (E3系) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train introduced on June 3, 1997, for Komachi services, coinciding with the Akita Shinkansen’s opening. This “mini-shinkansen” line re-gauged from narrow to standard gauge connects Morioka and Akita. Later E3 versions were also used for other Shinkansen lines.
E4 series (†)
Mini-shinkansen
Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
1997 –
2022
The E4 series was a high-speed Shinkansen electric multiple unit train operated by JR East in Japan. Introduced between 1997 and 2003, it featured bi-level cars to increase capacity, accommodating 1,634 seated passengers. Primarily used on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen, the E4 series trains were retired from regular service in 2021.
E5-H5 series
Hitachi Rail, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
2011/2016 –
…
The E5 and H5 series are high-speed Shinkansen trains manufactured by Hitachi Rail and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The E5 series, operated by JR East, has been in service since 2011 on the Tohoku line and since 2016 on the Hokkaido line. The H5 series, designed for cold weather, has been used by JR Hokkaido since 2016.
E6 series
Hitachi Rail, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
2013 –
…
The E6 series is a train operated on the Komachi services of the Tōhoku and Akita Shinkansen lines since March 16, 2013. It consists of 7-car trains that replace the E3 series, with 23 units delivered from 2012 to 2014. The E6 can be coupled for increased capacity, reaching speeds of 240 km/h.
E7 series
Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industrie,s
Kawasaki Railcar Mfg, J-TREC
2014 –
…
The E7 and W7 series Shinkansen are high-speed trains developed by JR East and JR West, operating on Japan’s Hokuriku and Jōetsu Shinkansen lines. The E7 series debuted in 2014, while the W7 series began in 2015. As of March 2024, 39 of 47 E7 sets and 22 of 24 W7 sets are in service.
E8 series
Hitachi, Kawasaki Railcar Mfg
2024 –
…
The E8 series Shinkansen, designed by Ken Okuyama, debuted in March 2024, replacing the E3 series for Tsubasa services. Its top speed is 300 km/h, featuring a longer nose for aerodynamics. Originally 17 sets were planned, but 15 will be built due to reduced demand from COVID-19 impacts.
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Infrastructure • High speed Rail • Japan • Lexical
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