The is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services introduced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with the opening of the new Akita Shinkansen, a so-called "mini-Shinkansen" line formed by regauging the narrow-gauge line between and to . Later variants of the E3 series were introduced for Tsubasa services on the Yamagata Shinkansen. Both mini-Shinkansen routes connect with the TÃ Âhoku Shinkansen, providing through services to and from Tokyo.
The design of the E3 series was overseen by industrial designer Kenji Ekuan.
Like the earlier 400 series, the E3 series was built to a smaller loading gauge than standard Shinkansen trains. Although the track gauge on the mini-Shinkansen routes was converted to standard gauge, platform positions were not altered, resulting in tighter clearances that restrict the width and length of each car. To compensate for the narrower car bodies, the trains are fitted with retractable gap fillers that flip up at standard Shinkansen stations to bridge the gap between the train and the platform.
Before the S8 set was converted to the R1 set, the bogies were bolsterless DT207 (motor car) and TR7005 (trailer car), and the basic structure was the same as that of the 400 series. The wheel diameter was 860 mm, the wheelbase was 2,250 mm, and the axle box support was a support plate type. From the mass-produced cars 2nd generation and onwards, the suffixes are DT207A (motor bogie) and TR7005A (trailer bogie). However, the motor bogies of the 0 (R sets) and 1000 series 5th to 7th series and the 2000 series are DT207B, and the trailer bogies of the 0 and 1000 series 5th to 7th series are TR7005B. The gear ratio is 3.04.
From spring 2014 to mid 2016 the remaining fleet of 15 E3-1000 and E3-2000 series sets used on Tsubasa services were gradually repainted into a new livery designed by industrial designer and Yamagata native Ken Okuyama, intended to reflect the landscape and cultural identity of Yamagata Prefecture. The body is finished in white, symbolising the snow of Mount Zaà Â; deep purple, inspired by the Mandarin duck, the prefectural bird of Yamagata; and accents of red and yellow derived from the safflower, the prefectural flower. This same livery was applied to the later E8 series which is slated to replace the E3. On 11 February 2023, as the E3 series neared retirement, one set was repainted as a heritage unit in the original silver and green livery.
A pre-series 5-car set, numbered S8, was delivered from Kawasaki Heavy Industries to Sendai Depot in March 1995 for extensive testing. It was modified to full-production specifications in March 1997 ahead of the start of Akita Shinkansen services.
Until it was augmented to six cars in 1998, the pre-series was formed as follows, with scissors-type pantographs on cars 12, 13, and 14. Set R1 was withdrawn following its final revenue run on 20 July 2013.
The full-production trainsets built from 1996 for the Akita Shinkansen were 5-car sets, but sixth cars were added by the end of 1998. A total of 26 Akita Shinkansen sets were in service by the end of 2005. Sets R1 to R16 were leased by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) from the owning company, , a third-sector company jointly owned by JR East and Akita Prefecture. This lease ended on 21 March 2010 with the dissolution of Akita Shinkansen Sharyà  Hoyà «.
The E3 series sets were phased out following the introduction of new E6 series sets from March 2013, with 19 sets (114 vehicles) scheduled to be withdrawn during fiscal 2013. From the start of the 15 March 2014 timetable revision, E3 series trainsets were no longer used on Akita Shinkansen Komachi services. Two sets (R21 and R22) were used on Yamabiko and Nasuno services coupled to the E5/H5 series in their original "Komachi" colors before being retired on 31 October 2020. This is believed to have happened due to the decrease in passengers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These mass-produced sets were completed before the opening of the line in March 1997. They were originally five-car sets, but were converted to a six-car set by coupling the E328 series (third generation) between October and December of the following year. Therefore, at the coupling between the E329 and E328 series (cars 13 and 14), there is a "gauge cover" (the name was changed from pantograph cover on mass-produced cars) without a pantograph (the same applies to set R1, as shown in the second picture above).
Additional set completed in 1998. It was added to increase transportation capacity following the timetable revision at the end of the same year. Sets completed after this have always been six-car formations.
These additional sets were completed in 2005 (Heisei 17) to increase transportation capacity and replace the 200 series H formations (the 12-car H4 and H5 formations) that had been reserved for peak passenger season special trains (along with the E2 series 1000 series J66-J68 formations and the 1000 series L53 formation for the Yamagata Shinkansen (described below) which were added at the same time).
Cars 12 and 15 were equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
The build details are as shown below. , the last of the original 26 sets (R22) was scrapped.
Three 7-car E3-1000 sets (numbered L51 – L53) were built between 1999 and 2005 for use on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services from 4 December 1999 to augment the 400 series fleet following with the extension of the line to Shinjo. From 2014, a further two sets (L54 and L55) were introduced, reformed from withdrawn Akita Shinkansen E3-0 series "R" sets, to replace the two older sets L51 and L52.
With effect of the timetable revision implemented in March 2024, following the introduction of the E8 Series Shinkansen, all remaining E3-1000 series trains were withdrawn from regular service.
These sets were added for the Shinjo Line extension in 1999. The electrical equipment and windshield wipers are the same as those of set R17, but the interior is specially designed. The electric seat rotation device for the Yamagata Shinkansen was only preparatory work, and this set is not equipped with a garbage compactor.
Completed in 2005. The interior is almost the same as the 4th series (sets L51 and 52), but the 5th series (sets R18-R23) for the Akita Shinkansen was manufactured in the meantime, and the electrical equipment and interior facilities were changed to conform to the 6th series (R24-26) for the Akita Shinkansen manufactured at the same time. The green stripe of the 4th series was covered with film, but the 7th series was painted. This is the only newly built 1000 series train to have the new paint job. (Sets L51 and L52 trains were scrapped without being repainted.)
The sets were formed as shown below, with five motored ("M") cars and two non-powered trailer ("T") cars, and car 11 at the Tokyo end.
Cars 12 and 14 were equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
The build details are as shown below.
The first of a fleet of twelve new E3-2000 series 7-car sets entered service on Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa services on 20 December 2008. The new fleet totally replaced the older 400 series trains by summer 2009. The new trains incorporate design improvements, including active suspension, full-color LED destination indicators, and AC power outlets in all cars. Seating capacity in cars 16 and 17 has been reduced by 4 (one row of seats) compared with the E3-1000 series to provide uniform seating pitch in all cars (seat pitch was previously reduced in non-reserved cars).
Cars 12 and 14 are equipped with PS206 single-arm pantographs.
, the E3-2000 series fleet is as follows.
The E3-700 series excursion set was a six-car train rebuilt from former Akita Shinkansen trainset R18 for use on the Yamagata Shinkansen between Shinjà  and Fukushima, entering service in July 2014. The rebuild and interior design were overseen by Ken Okuyama. Toreiyu is a portmanteau of the English word "train" and the French word soleil (âÂÂsunâÂÂ), the set had a total seating capacity of 143 passengers.
Cars 12 to 14 featured Japanese-style tatami seating mats, car 11 was a reserved ordinary-class car with coventional 2+2 seating, car 15 served as a lounge with a bar counter, and car 16 was equipped with ashiyu foot baths. The train was normally operated on special Toreiyu Tsubasa services on weekends and was withdrawn from service in March 2022.
The Toreiyu set was based at Yamagata Depot and formed as shown below, with car 11 at the Fukushima end.
E3-700 series was a six-car excursion train rebuilt from former Akita Shinkansen trainset R19 at Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe for operation on the JÃ Âetsu Shinkansen between Echigo-Yuzawa and Niigata.
The exterior livery was designed by photographer Mika Ninagawa. Each car featured artwork by a different artist: car 11 had 2+2 seating and showcased a golden-yellow installation by Nao Matsumoto inspired by harvests, festivals, and light, with window shades using special dyes that reacted to changes in light when passing through tunnels; car 12 featured mirrored walls by Yusuke Komuta that reflected the surrounding scenery; car 13 combined a childrenâÂÂs play area designed by Art Unit Paramodel, featuring blue-and-white toy train motifs, with a café designed by Kentaro Kobuke serving sweets made with local ingredients; car 14 displayed an alpine photography exhibition by Naoki Ishikawa; car 15 featured an abstract floral artwork by Haruka Koujin designed to vibrate with the motion of the train; and car 16 screened a short film by Brian Alfred depicting the landscapes of Niigata Prefecture.
The completed trainset was unveiled to the media on 12 January 2016 and entered service on 29 April 2016, operating primarily on weekends and holidays, and was withdrawn on 19 December 2020.
The Genbi Shinkansen set was based at Niigata Depot and formed as shown below, with car 11 at the Tokyo end.
Cars 12 and 15 each had one single-arm pantograph.
The Class E926 Shinkansen, also known as the "East-i" is an inspection train based on the E3 used for track and overhead wire diagnostic work on the TÃ Âhoku, JÃ Âetsu, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata, and Akita Shinkansen lines.
JR East has retrofitted a seven-car E3 trainset for freight-only service by removing passenger seating and adding equipment to secure cargo. The trainset transports high-value goods including seafood, pharmaceuticals, and precision instruments between Morioka and Tokyo. It is the first cargo-only service in Shinkansen history. The weekday service operates coupled to a Yamabiko passenger train and began operation on 23 March 2026.
One used E3 Series trainset is planned to be gifted to India (alongside a E5 Series trainset) for use as an inspection train on the MumbaiâÂÂAhmedabad high-speed rail corridor, after modifications are carried out to install relevant equipment. This follows the precedent of a 0 Series being provided to Taiwan to serve as a structure gauging car during construction of the Taiwan High Speed Rail. Besides inspecting the tracks and overhead lines, it is expected that the trains will be used to collect data on performance in India's hot climate and dusty environment, and help inform development of the E10 Series for Indian service.