N700S Series Shinkansen
Japanese high speed train type

N700S series
N700S series train on the San'yo Shinkansen
In service1 July 2020 (2020-07-01) – present
Manufacturer
DesignerEiji Mitooka (Nishi Kyushu sets)
Family nameShinkansen
Replaced
Constructed2017–present
Number under constructionJR Central: 19 sets (304 cars)
Number in service46 sets (696 cars, as of 1 April 2022[update])
Formation
Fleet numbers
  • J0– (JR Central)
  • H1– (JR West)
  • Y1– (JR Kyushu)
Capacity
  • 16-car sets: 1,323 (200 Green + 1,123 ordinary)
  • 6-car sets: 391
Operators
DepotsTokyo, Hakata, Osaka, Omura
Lines served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium[1]
Car length
  • End cars: 27.35 m (89 ft 9 in)[1]
  • Intermediate cars: 25 m (82 ft)[1]
Width3.36 m (11 ft 0 in)[1]
Height3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) without rooftop equipment[1]
Maximum speed
  • Service: 300 km/h (186 mph)[1]
  • Record: 363 km/h (226 mph)[2]
Electric system(s)Overhead line, 25 kV 60 Hz AC
Current collectionPantograph
Braking system(s)Pneumatic, regenerative
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The N700S series (Japanese: N700S系, Hepburn: Enu nana-hyaku esu-kei) is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train with tilting capability operated by JR Central and JR West on the Tokaido and San'yō Shinkansen lines since 2020, and JR Kyushu on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen line since 2022.

History

In June 2016, JR Central announced plans to build a new prototype 16-car trainset, the N700S (with "S" standing for "Supreme"), to evaluate new technologies and features on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines starting in March 2018.[3]

Developed from the earlier N700A series (itself a refinement of the N700 series), the N700S incorporates several new features. Refinements to the ATC and braking systems enable emergency braking distances to be reduced by 5%, improving safety during events such as earthquakes.[3] The traction system uses silicon carbide components, and combined with a new aerodynamic design, reduces power consumption by approximately 7%.[4] Toshiba SCiB LTO batteries allow the train to operate at low speed during power disruptions, enabling it to move to a safe location for passenger evacuation and maintain essential functions such as toilets.[5]

An optimized underfloor equipment layout makes it possible to use the same standard design for 16-car Tokaido Shinkansen trainsets as well as 12-, 8-, and 6-car configurations, improving flexibility for potential export.[3][6][7]

Green cars feature a fully active damping control system to improve ride quality, while ordinary-class cars provide AC power outlets at every seat.[3][8] Additional improvements include larger luggage storage areas, more CCTV cameras, an upgraded intercom system, and softer, more relaxing interior lighting.[9]

In 2021, the N700S was awarded the Laurel Prize by the Japan Railfan Club.[10]

JR Central

A 16-car prototype set (J0), assembled at the Nippon Sharyo Toyokawa plant, was unveiled at JR Central's Hamamatsu depot on 10 March 2018.[6] From 20 March, this set was used for testing and evaluation.[6] High-speed trials at the design speed of 360 km/h (224 mph) were conducted during 2019 on the Tokaido Shinkansen, reaching a maximum speed of 363 km/h (226 mph).[11] This is 28 km/h (17 mph) faster than the fastest speed ever achieved by the N700A, and may indicate plans to raise the maximum operating speed on the line.[2]

The first full-production J set (J1) was delivered to JR Central in April 2020, with trains entering revenue service on 1 July 2020.[8]

JR Central announced in May 2022 that it would add 19 trainsets (304 vehicles) to their current N700S fleet at a cost of 114 billion yen ($897m).[12][4] The first two of these trainsets are scheduled to enter service in 2023, with seven trainsets delivered in 2024 and 2025, and three more delivered in 2026.[4]

In June 2024, JR Central announced that the Doctor Yellow inspection trains would be replaced by stock-standard N700S trainsets with special monitoring equipment from 2027.[13]

In January 2026, JR Central announced that they would begin to introduce private rooms on N700S Nozomi trains starting in October 2026. Two private rooms will initially be offered on selected services, each seating one or two passengers. The rooms will be priced higher than green car seats. It will mark the first time that private rooms will be available on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen since the retirement of the 100 Series Shinkansen in 2003. JR Central has also planned to introduce semi-private rooms in fiscal year 2028.[14]

JR Kyushu

As of December 2024[update], the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen is operated by a fleet of five 6-car JR Kyushu N700S series trainsets.

For the commencement of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, four 6-car N700S series trainsets were ordered by JR Kyushu.[15][16] Nicknamed "Kamome", these entered service in September 2022.[17][18] Two trains are required during the day, with three trains in operation in the afternoon/evening. One train is kept as a spare.

In August 2023, another 6-car set was delivered to allow for one train to be out of service during regular inspections.[19]

Operations

The first N700S sets replaced 700 series trains, and added more rolling stock needed to realize the increased amount of services on the Tokaido Shinkansen planned from 2020.[20][21] The N700S series is expected to gradually replace N700 series sets on the Sanyo, Tokaido, and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. A 6-car variant started operations on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen on 23 September 2022.[18][17]

The train is also planned to run on the proposed Texas Central Railway high-speed line connecting Dallas and Houston.[22]

Variants

  • N700S series: 50 ⨯ 16-car "J" sets owned by JR Central, introduced from 1 July 2020
  • N700S-3000 series: 5 ⨯ 16-car "H" sets owned by JR West, introduced from 13 March 2021
  • N700S-8000 series "Kamome": 5 ⨯ 6-car "Y" sets owned by JR Kyushu on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, introduced from 23 September 2022

16-car J sets

The J sets were the first to be introduced, and include the pre-series J0 set used for testing between 2018 and 2020.

Formation

The 16-car J sets are formed as follows.

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M's M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 743 747 746-500 745 745-300 746 747-400 735 736 737 746-700 745-600 745-500 746-200 747-500 744
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets, smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets, smoking room Conductor's office Toilets, telephone Smoking room Toilets, wheelchair space, multi-purpose room Telephone Toilets   Toilets, smoking room, telephone  

Fleet list

As of 1 April 2025[update], the JR Central N700S series 'J' set fleet is as follows.[23]: 106 [24][25]: 106 

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered Remarks
J0 Hitachi/Nippon Sharyo 25 March 2018 Pre-series set
J1 Nippon Sharyo 14 April 2020 Fiscal 2020 batch
J2 Hitachi 16 June 2020
J3 Nippon Sharyo 20 May 2020
J4 Hitachi 9 September 2020
J5 Nippon Sharyo 23 June 2020
J6 Hitachi 30 November 2020
J7 Nippon Sharyo 26 August 2020
J8 2 October 2020
J9 11 November 2020
J10 Hitachi 11 January 2021
J11 Nippon Sharyo 19 December 2020
J12 Hitachi 23 February 2021
J13 Nippon Sharyo 3 April 2021 Fiscal 2021 batch
J14 Hitachi 11 May 2021
J15 Nippon Sharyo 23 May 2021
J16 Hitachi 10 July 2021
J17 Nippon Sharyo 3 July 2021
J18 3 September 2021
J19 1 October 2021
J20 Hitachi 1 November 2021
J21 Nippon Sharyo 12 November 2021
J22 Hitachi 14 December 2021
J23 Nippon Sharyo 7 January 2022
J24 Hitachi 1 March 2022
J25 Nippon Sharyo 15 February 2022
J26 1 April 2022
J27 Hitachi 19 April 2022 Fiscal 2022 batch
J28 Nippon Sharyo 20 May 2022
J29 Hitachi 24 June 2022
J30 Nippon Sharyo 8 July 2022
J31 24 August 2022
J32 4 October 2022
J33 Hitachi 8 November 2022
J34 Nippon Sharyo 18 November 2022
J35 Hitachi 20 January 2023
J36 Nippon Sharyo 11 January 2023
J37 Hitachi 6 March 2023
J38 Nippon Sharyo 20 February 2023
J39 Hitachi 18 April 2023
J40 Nippon Sharyo 5 April 2023
J41 5 March 2024 Fiscal 2023 batch
J42 22 March 2024
J43 24 May 2024
J44 Hitachi 9 July 2024
J45 Nippon Sharyo 17 July 2024
J46 28 August 2024 Fiscal 2024 batch
J47 Hitachi 22 October 2024
J48 Nippon Sharyo 15 November 2024
J49 24 January 2025

16-car H sets (N700S-3000 series)

These are 16-car N700S series sets owned by JR West and classified as N700S-3000 series sets.

Formation

The 16-car H sets are formed as follows.

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Designation Tc M2 M'w M1 M1w M' M2k M1s M's M2s M'h M1 M1w M' M2w T'c
Numbering 743-3000 747-3000 746-3500 745-3000 745-3300 746-3000 747-3400 735-3000 736-3000 737-3000 746-3700 745-3600 745-3500 746-3200 747-3500 744-3000
Seating capacity 65 100 85 100 90 100 75 68 64 68 63 100 90 100 80 75
Facilities Toilets   Toilets, smoking room Telephone Toilets   Toilets, smoking room Conductor's office Toilets, telephone Smoking room Toilets, wheelchair space, multi-purpose room Telephone Toilets   Toilets, smoking room, telephone  

Fleet list

As of 1 April 2025[update], the JR West N700S series 'H' set fleet is as follows.[23]: 126 

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered Remarks
H1 Hitachi 3 February 2021 Fiscal 2020 batch
H2 Nippon Sharyo 17 March 2021
H3 Hitachi 27 July 2023 Fiscal 2023 batch
H4 Nippon Sharyo 17 December 2023
H5 11 September 2024 Fiscal 2024 batch

Exterior

  • Nose and cab
    Nose and cab
  • Entrance door and sign
    Entrance door and sign
  • Cab door
    Cab door
  • N700S logo
    N700S logo

Interior

  • Ordinary car
    Ordinary car
  • Wheelchair spaces
    Wheelchair spaces
  • Power outlets on seat armrests
    Power outlets on seat armrests
  • Green car
    Green car

6-car Y sets (N700S-8000 series)

N700S-8000 series set Y4 on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen in October 2022

These are 6-car N700S series sets owned by JR Kyushu and classified as N700S-8000 series sets. Five sets provide service on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen.[23]: 197 

The design of the variant was done by Eiji Mitooka, who had previously designed several trains for JR Kyushu.[26] He could not make any modifications to the exterior shape or equipment. He sought to make the ride "more fun and relaxing" through the inclusion of colors and shapes to the train's design. He presented JR Kyushu with four livery concepts, with a red and white one being chosen. Headlights were given black outlines and the center of the nose was painted black in order to have the front of the train resemble a face. The interior is also decorated with illustrations made by Mitooka.

These sets do not feature Green Car (first class) accommodation. In regular service, cars 1-3 are reserved seat cars, and cars 4-6 are non-reserved seat cars. Seats on cars 1–3 are arranged in four wide (2+2) abreast configuration instead of a five wide (2+3) configuration seen in normal reserved cars of JR West and JR Central N700S variants, and similar to reserved seat cars on JR Kyushu's N700 series sets. This was done to make the Shinkansen more attractive to tourists.[26]

Formation

The 6-car Y sets are formed as follows.[27]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Designation M'wc M2 M1h M1 M2w M'c
Class Reserved Reserved Reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved
Numbering 721-8000 727-8000 725-8000 725-8100 727-8100 722-8100
Seating
capacity 		40 76 42 86 86 61
Facilities Wheelchair space Toilets,
multi-purpose room

Interior

  • Reserved seating
    Reserved seating
  • Reserved seating with wheelchair space
    Reserved seating with wheelchair space
  • Non-reserved seating
    Non-reserved seating
  • Information display
    Information display
  • Toilets and washroom in Car 4
    Toilets and washroom in Car 4

Fleet list

As of 1 April 2024[update], the JR Kyushu N700S series 'Y' set fleet is as follows.[25]: 201 

Set No. Manufacturer Date delivered
Y1 Hitachi 1 June 2022
Y2 1 June 2022
Y3 1 July 2022
Y4 1 September 2022
Y5 Hitachi 5 October 2023

Overall fleet history

The annual totals for the fleet sizes (number of vehicles as of 1 April each year) are as follows.[citation needed]

Year ■ JR Central ■ JR West ■ JR Kyushu Total
2018 16 0 0 16
2019 16 0 0 16
2020 16 0 0 16
2021 208 32 0 240
2022 432 32 0 464
2023 608 32 24 664

 

TrainsetsYear0102030405020182019202020212022202320242025JR CentralJR WestJR KyushuN700S fleet dispositionAs of 1 April of each year

Derivatives

In March 2023, Taiwan High Speed Rail announced it will purchase 12 new 12-car trains based on the N700S at a cost of approximately NTD 28 billion to supplement its older THSR 700T sets.[28][29] These will be manufactured by an alliance of Hitachi and Toshiba.[29] In August 2025, these new trains were officially designated as the N700ST series. The first set of the new trains is expected to arrive in Taiwan in August 2026 and revenue service will start in the second half of 2027.[30]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to N700S Series Shinkansen.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f 車両のご案内｜JR東海 [Vehicle Information | JR Central]. JR Central (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b JR東海N700S、速度向上試験で362km/h - 米原～京都間を18分で走行 [JR Central's N700S reaches 362km/h in speed-up test - Maibara-Kyoto in 18 minutes]. ライブドアニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d 次期新幹線車両「N700S」を新造、JR東海 [JR Central to build "N700S" next-generation shinkansen train]. Tetsudo.com (in Japanese). Japan: Asahi Interactive Inc. 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Smith, Kevin (27 May 2022). "JR Central to expand N700S fleet through $US 900m investment". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  5. ^ Nick Kingsley (30 October 2019). "'Earthquake mode' battery packs to be fitted to N700S Shinkansen fleet". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "JR Central unveils 'Supreme' N700S". Railway Gazette International. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  7. ^ Yoshino, Keisuke (12 March 2018). "'Supreme' Shinkansen unveiled prior to 2020 debut". asahi.com. The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b Briginshaw, David (17 June 2020). "JR Central to introduce N700S Shinkansen train on July 1". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  9. ^ Wong, Maggie Hiufu (2 July 2020). "Japan debuts new bullet train that can run during an earthquake". CNN. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  10. ^ 2021年 ブルーリボン・ローレル賞選定車両 – 鉄道友の会. Japan Railfan Club (in Japanese). 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  11. ^ 360km/h試験、次世代新幹線「N700S」の確認試験車で実施へ JR東海 [JR Central to conduct 360km/h test on next-generation Shinkansen "N700S" confirmation test vehicle]. 乗りものニュース (in Japanese). 25 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  12. ^ JR東海，「N700S」を2023年度から2026年度にかけて19編成導入 [JR Central introduces 19 trains of "N700S" from 2023 to 2026]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). 28 May 2022. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  13. ^ Kyodo News (13 June 2024). "Japan's beloved "Doctor Yellow" track-testing bullet train to retire". Kyodo News. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Private rooms to be back on Tokyo-Hakata shinkansen bullet trains from Oct". Kyodo News. 17 January 2026. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  15. ^ 九州新幹線（武雄温泉・長崎間）新幹線の名称と導入車両が決定！！ [The name of the Kyushu Shinkansen (between Takeo-Onsen and Nagasaki) and cars to be introduced are decided!!] (PDF). News release (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company. 28 October 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  16. ^ 長崎新幹線、名前は「かもめ」 特急は「リレーかもめ」 [Nagasaki Shinkansen, named "Kamome" Limited Express is "Relay Kamome"]. Asahi Shimbun Digital (in Japanese). 28 October 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  17. ^ a b Megumi, Nojito (24 September 2022). 何が起きた？西九州新幹線｢開業初日｣の一部始終 [What happened? The story of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen's first day of service]. Toyo Keizai Online (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen line to open on Sept. 23". The Japan Times. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  19. ^ 【長崎】西九州新幹線「かもめ」５編成目を海上輸送　川棚港に鉄道ファン駆け付ける [【Nagasaki】5th formation of Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen "Kamome" train transported by sea; railway fans rush to Kawatana Port]. Nagasaki Culture Telecasting (in Japanese). 21 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Japan's fastest bullet train to squeeze out trip every 5 minutes". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Faster cleaning helped Japan railway boost shinkansen train operations". Mainichi Daily News. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  22. ^ "High speed rail promoter Texas Central selects planning and construction contractors". Railway Gazette. 14 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  23. ^ a b c JR電車編成表2025夏 [JR Rolling Stock Formation Tables – Summer 2025]. Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2025. ISBN 978-4-330-03225-2.
  24. ^ JR電車編成表2023夏 [JR Rolling Stock Formation Tables – Summer 2023]. Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2023. p. 106. ISBN 978-4-330-02423-3.
  25. ^ a b JR電車編成表2024夏 [JR Rolling Stock Formation Tables – Summer 2024]. Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2024. ISBN 978-4-330-02824-8.
  26. ^ a b Trains Evolving by Design. Japan Railway Journal. 28 April 2022. Event occurs at 17:45—23:45. NHK World-Japan. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  27. ^ N700S「かもめ」 と西九州新幹線 [N700S "Kamome" and Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen] (PDF). Japan Aluminium Association (in Japanese). 14 July 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  28. ^ Rail, Taiwan High Speed. "Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation signed procurement contract for New Generation high speed rolling stock with Hitachi Toshiba Supreme Consortium – Taiwan High Speed Rail". en.thsrc.com.tw. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  29. ^ a b Thomson, Jono (18 March 2023). "Taiwan sticks with Japanese high-speed trains, confirms NT$28 billion purchase". Taiwan News. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  30. ^ 「全新世代 為你啟動」 台灣高鐵新世代列車正式命名為N700ST 塗裝延續700T設計 以白底搭配黑、橘線條 ["A new generation begins for you." Taiwan High Speed Rail's new generation train is officially named N700ST. The livery inherits the 700T design with a white background and black and orange stripes.]. Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (Press release) (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 20 August 2025. Archived from the original on 20 August 2025. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
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