The N700S entered service in 2020 as the newest version of the Tokaido Shinkansen fleet.
The N700S is an evolution of the N700 series, developed for Central Japan Railway Company. The letter S refers to “Supreme,” reflecting the operator’s branding for the train’s updated design and equipment.
Compared with earlier N700 trains, the N700S includes redesigned equipment, improved energy efficiency and a standardized trainset structure intended to make versions easier to adapt for other Shinkansen lines. Its nose profile remains shaped to reduce aerodynamic noise and resistance at high speed.
The N700S should not be confused with the E5 series, which operates on the Tohoku Shinkansen and is associated with the Hayabusa service. The E7 series serves routes toward Japan’s Sea of Japan coast, while the N700S is chiefly associated with the Tokaido and Sanyo corridors.