What is the new "E10 Series" train scheduled to appear on the Tohoku Shinkansen?

If you ride a Tohoku Shinkansen train, there's a good chance you'll be on a train with a green body and pink stripes.
JR EastE5 seriestrain.
Along with the N700S, the main train on the Tokaido Shinkansen, it's one of the representative trains of the current Shinkansen.

The E5 series began commercial operation in 2011, so the initial production models are now over 10 years old. Since
Shinkansen trains begin to show signs of aging after about 10 years,E10 series, has been announced.
What kind of train will it be?

What kind of train will the next Tohoku Shinkansen E10 series be?

JR East, which operates the Tohoku Shinkansen (Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station), announced on March 4, 2025, that it would begin designing the new E10 series train. The company stated
it aims to complete the actual train in the fall of 2027 or later, conduct running tests, and thenbegin commercial operation in fiscal year 2030.

The E10 series trains are primarily green, but their appearance is quite different from the E5 series.
This color scheme is said to be inspired by the mountains of the Tohoku region.
In addition, the curved stripes on the sides of the trains are modeled after the shape of cherry blossom petals.

Maximum speed remains the same, but safety is improved

The Tohoku Shinkansen, which opened in 1982, has seen its speed increase with each new train model.
Both the E5 series and its predecessor, the E2 series, were introduced as faster trains than previous models.

However, it has been announced that the maximum speed of the E10 series will remain at 320 km/h, the same as the E5 series

However, even though the top speed remains the same, the running performance is not exactly the same as the E5 series.
Braking performance has been improved, and the braking distance has been shortened by 15% compared to the E5 series.
by adopting lateral dampers that absorb tremors during earthquakes and prevent derailment and damage to the trainsafety has been enhanced.

Another feature is that it has improved energy-saving performance through the adoption of new technologies and new materials

Furthermore, in preparation for the future introduction of autonomous driving on the Tohoku Shinkansen, the design will incorporate preparations for the incorporation of autonomous driving functions

While the top speed remains unchanged, ambitious improvements have been made.
This is by no means merely a stopgap between the E5 series and "the next generation of trains after the E10 series."

There is no Gran Class

Car 10 of the E5 series is designated as "Gran Class," offering seats one level above Green Car seats.
However, it has been announced that the first E10 series trains to be manufactured will not have Gran Class.
While they will consider whether to include Gran Class in the second and subsequent trains, it is reasonable to assume that this is unlikely.

However, this probably doesn't mean giving up on comfortable travel

First, the E10 serieshave power outlets at every seat.
This is a significant improvement over the E5 series, where more than half of the trains lacked power outlets at some seats.

service, already offered on the Tohoku Shinkansen and other lines, for people who want to work or study on board,TRAIN DESKwill be further expanded.

The trains offering the new servicea 2+2(compared to the typical 3+2 seating arrangement on Shinkansen trains), providing more space between seats.
Dividers will be installed between the two seats to enhance sound insulation and privacy.
In addition to power outlets, USB power outlets will also be provided.
The tables will be 5cm wider to accommodate passengers using laptops and mice.

However, while TRAIN DESK can be used at the same price as a regular reserved seat, it's hard to imagine that the E10 series service will be available at the regular fare. It
will probably be more expensive than a regular reserved seat, but I hope it will be offered at an affordable price.

Clearly indicating that you are transporting luggage

that allows for the quick transport of luggage using the Shinkansen bullet trainHakobyunoperates

JR East Logistics

Hakobyun | Services | JR East Logistics

https://www.jrbutsuryu.jregroup.ne.jp/business/hakobyun.html

To expand the Hakobyun service,a dedicated door for loading and unloading luggagewill be equipped with
Having a dedicated door for luggage transport will separate the flow of luggage from that of passengers,making it possible to load and unload luggage at stations other than the starting and ending points of the train.

The E10 series is also scheduled to run in India

The E10 series trains are also scheduled to run in India (more precisely, they will be modified versions of the E10 series trains specifically for the Indian market).
India has a high-speed rail project planned to connect Mumbai in the west to Ahmedabad, a distance of 508 km, in about two hours.
80% of the project costs will be covered by yen loans from Japan, and JR East is also providing technical support.
Construction began in 2017, and the line is expected to open sometime between 2027 and 2030.

The E10 series is not expected to begin commercial operation in Japan until fiscal year 2030, so it may not be ready in time for the opening of India's high-speed rail line.
In that case, the E10 series will likely be introduced as a "new type of train" after the line opens.

Conclusion

The Hokkaido Shinkansen, which operates directly with the Tohoku Shinkansen, currently runs from Shin-Aomori Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, but is aiming to extend the line to Sapporo Station around 2038

www.jrhokkaido.co.jp

Overview of the Hokkaido Shinkansen | Company | JR Hokkaido - Hokkaido Railway Company

https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/corporate/shinkansen/index.html

JR Hokkaido's portal site. Contains railway information, travel information, related business information, corporate information, etc. Train and accommodation reservations are also available

After the extension, it is expected that direct trains will operate from Tokyo Station to Sapporo Station, but the E10 series is not a train developed specifically for this Tokyo-Sapporo direct service. A
based on the E10 series will be developed separatelynext-generation trainand used for the Tokyo-Sapporo direct service.
The detailed specifications of the next-generation train have not been revealed, but it is expected to include the installation of semi-private compartments in the passenger area and improved performance (likely including an increase in top speed).

The modest specifications of the E10 series, such as its top speed being the same as the E5 series and the absence of a Gran Class, clearly suggest that its main role is to serve as a bridge between the E5 series and the next generation of trains.
However, asby no means a train with the same performance or concept as the E5 series.

The E10 series, scheduled to begin commercial operation in fiscal year 2030, will gradually replace the aging E2 series and the earlier manufactured E5 series. The E10 series will be
used for services such as the "Yamabiko" and "Nasuno" that run only within the Tohoku Shinkansen line, while the relatively newer E5 series trains are expected to continue to be used for "Hayabusa" trains that run directly to the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

As the extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo approaches, it is expected that next-generation trains based on the E10 series will be introduced. Trains operating only within the Tohoku Shinkansen will mainly be run by the E10 series, while direct trains to the Hokkaido Shinkansen will be run by the next-generation trains.
The trains running on the Tohoku Shinkansen will be completely replaced over the next 15 years or so, starting from now (2025).

Yuto Ono

A former railway engineer and current freelance writer who has loved trains since childhood, his dream is to make train travel his career