E5 and H5 Series Shinkansen

Technology incorporated in the E5 and H5 series trains is derived from the experimental Fastech 360S train tested by JR East. All cars are equipped with electric active suspension and can tilt up to 1.5°, allowing high speeds on curves with a radius of . The E5 series initially operated at a maximum speed of , which was raised to between and from the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2013. Minor interior differences are also present compared with the E5 series. ==Operations==

, E5 series and H5 trainsets work with each other, and are used on the following services on the Tōhoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen lines: • Hayabusa • Hayate • Yamabiko • Nasuno E5 series trainsets were first introduced on the new Hayabusa services between Tokyo and from 5 March 2011, initially operating at a maximum speed of . From 19 November 2011, a total of six E5 series trainsets were in operation, with sets also used on some Hayate and Yamabiko services. Hayate services operated coupled with E3 series Komachi services, and were limited to a maximum speed of . From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, E5 series sets were also introduced used on some Nasuno all-stations services. The H5 series is the first JR Hokkaido train type to use the "H" prefix, following the method used by JR East (with an "E" prefix). ==Exterior==

The exterior design of both series is based on the experimental Fastech 360S train. The E5 series features a colour scheme of "Tokiwa" green for the upper body and "Hiun" white for the lower body, separated by a "Hayate" pink stripe. For the H5 series, the pink stripe is replaced by a "Saika" purple stripe, intended to evoke the lilac, lupin, and lavender flowers for which Hokkaido is known. File:Logo Hayabusa.jpg|E5 logo, depicting a Hayabusa File:H5系 ロゴマーク.JPG|H5 logo, depicting Hokkaido and a Gyrfalcon File:Gran Class mark.JPG|"Gran Class" car logo File:JREast seriesE5train direction infomation board.JPG|LED destination indicators ==Interior==

The trains have three classes of accommodation: premium Gran Class (car 10), Green car (car 9), and Ordinary class (cars 1 to 8). Originally given the provisional name "Super Green Car", seat pitch in the Gran Class car is . Seats are wide and recline to a maximum angle of 45 degrees. All seats in the H5 series feature AC power outlets. Seating is arranged in 3+2 abreast configuration. AC power outlets are provided for window seats and rows of seats at car ends for the E5 series, and all seats for the H5 series. The interior of the H5 series's ordinary-class cars is intended to evoke images of snow and the night view of Hakodate. Gallery E5 File:E5・E514-21.jpg|Interior of Gran Class car E514-21 in November 2014 File:E5kei Green car Interior.JPG|Interior of a Green car in March 2016 E5kei interior.JPG|Interior of an ordinary-class car (car 3) in December 2015 H5 File:H5・H514-3.jpg|The interior of Gran Class car H514-3 in March 2016 File:H5・H515-3.jpg|The interior of Green car H515-3 in April 2016 File:H525-102 inside 20160406.jpg|The interior of ordinary-class car No. 7 in April 2016 ==Formation==

E5 The production E5 series sets are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Tokyo end and car 10 at the Aomori end. Cars 3 and 7 each have one single-arm pantograph, although only one is normally raised in service. H5 The 10-car sets, numbered "H1" onward, are formed with eight motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars. Car 1 is at the southern end. Cars 3 and 7 each have one N-PS208 single-arm pantograph. File:H523-1 omiya 20160327.jpg|H523-1 (car No. 1) in March 2016 File:H526-101 omiya 20160327.jpg|H526-101 (car No. 2) in March 2016 File:H525-2 SHH 20160406.jpg|H525-2 (car No. 3) in April 2016 File:H526-202 SHH 20160406.jpg|H526-202 (car No. 4) in April 2016 File:H525-402 SHH 20160406.jpg|H525-402 (car No. 5) in April 2016 File:H526-301 omiya 20160327.jpg|H526-301 (car No. 6) in March 2016 File:H525-101 omiya 20160327.jpg|H525-101 (car No. 7) in March 2016 File:H526-401 omiya 20160327.jpg|H526-401 (car No. 8) in March 2016 File:H515-1 omiya 20160327.jpg|H515-1 (car No. 9) in March 2016 File:H514-1 omiya 20160327.jpg|H514-1 (car No. 10) in March 2016 ==History==

E5 series The pre-series set, S11, was delivered to Sendai Depot in May 2009 ahead of extensive test running on the Tōhoku Shinkansen. Cars 1 to 5 were built by Hitachi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and cars 6 to 10 were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Hyogo Prefecture. Set S11 made its first appearance at Tokyo Station on 9 December 2009. The first full-production set, U2, was delivered to Sendai Depot in December 2010. A formal presentation ceremony was held at Tokyo Station on 20 November 2012. The pre-series set, S11, was upgraded to full-production standard in February 2013 and renumbered U1. It retains the flush plug doors for the passenger doors immediately behind the driving cabs, whereas the full-production sets have recessed sliding doors. H5 series Details of the new H5 series trains on order were announced by JR Hokkaido in April 2014. The second set was also delivered in October 2014. In November 2014, JR Hokkaido officially announced details of the bodyside logos to be applied to the trains, combining an outline of Hokkaido with an image intended to portray the gyrfalcon native to Hokkaido. Test-running on the Tōhoku Shinkansen south of Shin-Aomori commenced in November 2015. ==Fleet list==

E5 Set U1 was the prototype set and originally numbered S11, it was modified February 2013. , the fleet is as follows. H5 Set H2 was withdrawn in April 2022 following damage sustained from the 2022 Fukushima earthquake. The set was dismantled as of December 2022, and later moved to a Shinkansen depot in Nanae, Hokkaido where it will be used for staff training. , the H5 series fleet is as follows. == Accidents and incidents ==

H5 series set H2, coupled with E6 series set Z9 and operating as Yamabiko No. 223 bound for Sendai, derailed during the 2022 Fukushima earthquake while traveling between Fukushima and Shiroishi-Zaō stations. There were no injuries on board. ==Planned export to India==

The E5 series trains with a red and grey livery were chosen for use on the under-construction Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor in India. A total of 24 trains were planned to be purchased while the deal for the first six was intended to be signed by the end of March 2024. Hitachi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries started talks with Indian Railways on design changes such as the modification of the air conditioning system in order for it to operate efficiently at temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius. One of the goals of Indian Railways was to replace the high-end technical offerings on Japan's train sets with indigenous bio-toilets. Similarly, the primary languages for documentation of facility usage instructions was to be Hindi and English. A thorough technical study was commissioned by National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited with HKC Consortium in Japan. The goal was to determine the adjustments needed for the rolling stock to run efficiently under Indian climatic conditions. The existing HVAC systems are usually sufficient, but a few minor layout adjustments are needed to maximize performance. To control dust levels, filter cleaning frequency must increase. The heavier weight of the cooling equipment was a hurdle throughout the redesign phase since it could affect energy efficiency. The power needed to maintain high speeds rises with weight, which may have an impact on the train's overall performance. To make matters more complicated, Indian passengers' average weight, including their luggage, is greater than that of Japanese passengers. A weight calculation analysis showed that simply by providing fewer seats, the Shinkansen in India could keep its weight similar to that of Japan's. However, due to increasing costs and postponements in delivery, India moved to consider indigenously built trains. In April 2025, it was reported that Japan will provide India with two Shinkansen train sets, the E5 series and the E3 series, to support the testing and interim operation. These would operate in parallel with 280 km/h sets developed by India's Integral Coach Factory in collaboration with BEML. Following this, E10 series Shinkansen trains will be delivered in 2030. == In media ==

The E5 series is featured in the anime Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion as the "Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa". The H5 series also is featured, referred to as the "Shinkalion H5 Hayabusa". Both trainset types have been featured in all current installments of the franchise. The H5 series is featured in the film Bullet Train Explosion. ==See also==