The E5 Series introduced an active tilting system for faster curves on Japan’s Tohoku Shinkansen route.
East Japan Railway Company introduced the E5 Series in 2011. Its body tilts by up to about 1.5 degrees, allowing the train to negotiate curves at higher speeds while helping maintain passenger comfort. The technology supports a maximum operating speed of 320 km/h on parts of the Tohoku Shinkansen.
The E5 has a distinctive long nose, developed partly to reduce aerodynamic noise and tunnel pressure waves. Its green-and-pink livery is another recognizable feature. The trains are also associated with Hayabusa services between Tokyo and northern Japan.
The E5 should not be confused with the E6 Series, which operates Akita Shinkansen services and uses a different train configuration. The E5’s tilting capability is also different from simply increasing speed on straight track: it is specifically useful where curves, comfort, and infrastructure limits interact. The series is therefore a notable example of Japanese railway engineering combining aerodynamics with active suspension technology.