The E7 and W7 Shinkansen: Where Futuristic Engineering Meets Traditional Japanese Aesthetics

Society · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Jointly developed by JR East and JR West, the E7 and W7 series Shinkansen represent a fusion of high-speed capability and cultural design. These 12-car trains, featuring a distinct sky-blue and ivory-white livery, were engineered to master the steep, snowy gradients of the Hokuriku line while offering three levels of luxury.

The E7 and W7 series trains were born from a collaboration between JR East and JR West, formally announced in September 2012. Designed by Ken Okuyama in partnership with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the trains draw inspiration from the earlier E2 series but incorporate a refined, futuristic aesthetic. The exterior features a sky-blue roof and ivory-white body sides, accented by copper and sky-blue lines. A stylized silver arrowhead shaped like the number seven serves as the series logo, reflecting the trains' identity as high-speed electric multiple units.

Performance is central to the design, as these trains must navigate the challenging terrain of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. They boast a maximum design speed of 275 km/h, though they operate at 260 km/h on most of the line. Their increased power output is specifically engineered to maintain speeds of at least 210 km/h on steep gradients. To ensure passenger comfort, the trains utilize full active suspension in the Gran Class car and semi-active suspension throughout the rest of the fleet. The interior layout prioritizes versatility, with a total capacity of 934 passengers across three classes, including the luxury Gran Class, which features seats supplied by Toyota Boshoku.

The fleet's history has been marked by both expansion and adversity. While the E7 series began service in March 2014 and the W7 series followed in 2015, the fleet faced a significant setback in October 2019 when Typhoon Hagibis caused flooding at the Nagano Shinkansen Vehicle Center. This event resulted in the loss of eight E7 sets and two W7 sets. Despite this, the trains remain a cornerstone of Japanese rail travel, with ongoing innovations such as autonomous operation testing conducted in Niigata in 2021. As of March 2024, 39 E7 sets and 22 W7 sets remain in active service, continuing to serve major routes like the Kagayaki and Hakutaka.

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