Details of the 385 series were first announced by JR Central on 20 July 2023. The 385 series is intended to replace the
383 series fleet on
Shinano limited express services. They will feature an improved pendular tilt system, which will allow for faster speeds on curves. On 22 December 2025, JR Central announced that Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing and Nippon Sharyo would be involved in manufacturing the pre-production set. The first two pre-production cars, KuHa 3841 and MoHa 385301, were delivered from the Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing plant in Hyōgo in 2026. The completed set, numbered E1, was delivered from Nippon Sharyo and underwent test runs in April of that year. A full-production fleet is scheduled to enter revenue service in
fiscal year 2029. == Interior ==