The Yamabiko (やまびこ) is a high-speed Shinkansen train service operated on the Tōhoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Morioka by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan.

Name

The word yamabiko is usually translated as 'echo', particularly one which is heard in the mountains.

Rolling stock

Former rolling stock

History

1959–1963: Semi express

On 1 February 1959, the name Yamabiko was introduced on a semi-express (準急) service between Fukushima and Morioka on the Tōhoku Main Line. This service operated until 30 September 1963.

1965–1982: Limited express

From 1 October 1965, the name was reintroduced for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Morioka. These services continued until 22 June 1982, the day before the Tōhoku Shinkansen opened.

1982–Present: Shinkansen

From the start of services on the newly opened Tōhoku Shinkansen on 23 June 1982, Yamabiko became the name used for the limited-stop shinkansen services operating initially between Ōmiya and Morioka, later between Ueno and Morioka, and eventually between Tokyo and Morioka. Since 1 July 1992, some Yamabiko services have run coupled with Tsubasa services (as of 2011 formed of E3 series sets) between Tokyo and Fukushima. From 19 November 2011, E5 series trainsets were introduced on some Yamabiko services, replacing the remaining 200 series-operated services.

Special event train services

Sayonara 200 series Yamabiko

On 30 March 2013, a special Sayonara 200 series Yamabiko (さよなら２００系やまびこ号) train operated from Morioka to Tokyo, as a farewell run for the 200 series on Yamabiko services.