Japan's next-gen Shinkansen trains have been revealed

An artists representation of how the new E10 train will look

JR East has unveiled the design of its next-generation Shinkansen train, the E10 series, which will run on the Tohoku Shinkansen line.

This announcement provides a glimpse into the future of high-speed rail travel connecting Tokyo with the northeastern Tohoku region of Japan’s Honshu island.

JR East is the primary operator of rail services in eastern Japan and the Tohoku Shinkansen is one of the main routes on Japan’s high-speed rail network which connects Tokyo to the north of the country and the Tohoku region.

A map of the Tohoku shinkansen route — The Tohoku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori

The Tohoku Shinkansen primarily uses bullet trains from the E2 and E5 series, with E3 and E6 series trains also running on the line until they branch off to connected slower speed “mini-Shinkansen” lines.

The E2 series trains first entered service in 1999 and the line’s extension to Shin-Aomori Station in 2011 coincided with the introduction of the E5 series, which significantly reduced travel times and boosted tourism to the area.

An image of an E5 shinkansen train — E5 Shinkansen trains are known for their bright teal color scheme

The E10 series is expected to eventually replace all of the existing E2 and E5 series Shinkansen trains.

The E10 series maintains the teal coloring of the E5 series but will be a slightly darker hue, complemented by a deep, almost navy-blue shade of green.

The design of the E10 series incorporates elements that reflect the Tohoku region’s geography.

The pattern running along the train’s beltline draws inspiration from the mountainous terrain of Tohoku, while also deliberately matching the gap between the bottom two petals of a sakura/cherry blossom flower.

A picture of a cherry blossom with a curved design super imposed — The pattern on the train is inspired by mountains and cherry blossoms

Beyond its appearance, the new E10 series is intended to increase safety and operational efficiency.

JR East has implemented advanced safety features to enhance the train’s braking performance and stability, enabling it to come to a stop in shorter distances during emergency situations and maintain stability during seismic events.

These safety measures are important given the the Tohoku region is prone to earthquakes.

To improve passenger convenience and streamline operations, the E10 series will feature a dedicated cargo loading door on car 5 of the 10-car train.

This feature will facilitate faster loading and unloading of luggage and cargo, reducing station stopping times and enhancing overall efficiency.

A man loading boxes onto a train — Goods are currently loaded on to bullet trains via the passenger doors

The E10 series will also introduce a redesigned “Train Desk” configuration, catering to the needs of business travelers.

The revamped layout will feature two seats on each side of the central aisle, equipped with dividers and headrest wings to enhance privacy.

Each seat will be equipped with a power outlet, and the seatback trays will be enlarged to accommodate laptops and other work-related materials.

These enhancements aim to create a more comfortable and productive working environment for passengers.

An artists interpretation of the interior of the new trains — Train Desk seats are focused on business travelers

JR East plans to start the first test runs of the new train in 2027 and aim to introduce them to full passenger services in the spring of 2030.

This timeline is expected to allow enough time for thorough testing and refinement of the train’s systems to ensure a safe and reliable passenger experience.

Source: PR Times