Japan’s E5 Shinkansen trains have a maximum operating speed of 320 km/h on the Tohoku Shinkansen route.
The E5 entered service in 2011 and was developed for long-distance travel north from Tokyo. Its distinctive long nose helps reduce aerodynamic pressure and tunnel noise, while active suspension improves stability at high speed.
E5 trains are used for Hayabusa services, which run on the Tohoku Shinkansen. They can operate at 320 km/h on the section between Utsunomiya and Morioka, although actual journey times also depend on stops, track conditions, and timetable planning.
The E5 is sometimes confused with Japan’s E6 trains, which are coupled to E5 sets on some services. The E6 is a smaller-format train designed for the Akita Shinkansen and has a lower maximum operating speed.