The first series of the Shinkansen, which initially had no separate designation due to the lack of a successor, was built from 1964. With a top speed of 220 km/h, it was the fastest train in the world. This was achieved by driving each axle in each car with a 185 kW motor, thus always achieving the same power-to-weight ratio regardless of the number of cars. Every second car had a pantograph, so any combination with an even number of cars was possible. The design of the trains, with their streamlined fronts and white livery with blue stripes on the window band and in the lower area, became known worldwide.

The number of cars per train was initially twelve and changed over time as needed. The original trains consisted of two bistro cars, two first class cars and eight second class cars. Some batches received only one first-class carriage and an additional second-class carriage. Due to the increasing passenger numbers, the trains were extended to 16 cars from 1969 with four additional second-class cars. In some cases, a buffet car was replaced by a dining car and between 1988 and 2001 there were even cinema cars. After the introduction of newer trains, the Shinkansen of the 0 series were also used as reinforcements during the holiday season and sometimes ran with four or six cars. A total of 3,216 cars were built up to 1986. Since the service life of the vehicles was only 15 to 20 years due to the high strain, the highest number of carriages in use at the same time was 2,338 in 1976, spread among 146 trains. In 2008 the last train was decommissioned.

The E3 series was developed for the “Mini Shinkansen” on the Komachi Line between Tokyo and Akita. This formerly cape gauge line was converted to standard gauge and the trains therefore had to comply with a smaller loading gauge. Four of the six cars are powered on all axles. The main variant known as “R-Sets” was replaced by the E6 and phased out as early as 2013. The variants 1000 and 2000 each consist of seven cars and are used on other routes. Active suspension is installed in the 2000 variant. Two trains were converted to excursion trains and designated as variant 700.

To replace the 200 and E1 series trains, JR East had Kawasaki and Hitachi develop the series E5. It came directly from the test train of the 954 series, which was also called “FASTECH 360” and was supposed to reach a speed of 360 km/h in regular operation. For testing purposes, this had a streamlined nose at one end and an arrow-shaped nose at the other, which was 15 meters long.

The production trains consist of ten cars and have the arrow-shaped nose, but shortened here to 14 meters. This reduces wind noise at high speeds and the tunnel bang. Only the control cars are not driven, all middle cars have four powered axles. Regular operation began in 2011 with a limit of 300 km/h.

On the Akita Shinkansen, the trains were used in double with the E3 series and were limited to 275 km/h. Since the E6 replaced the E3 there, this problem no longer exists. From 2013, the E5 was generally approved for 320 km/h. For use on Hokkaido, four sets were created that are specially adapted for the cold climate and are designated H5. They also have tilting technology that allows an inclination of up to five degrees. Theoretically, curves with a radius of 4,000 meters can be negotiated at 320 km/h, although the line has a speed limit of 260 km/h.

An export order was found from India for the 508 km high-speed route Mumbai-Ahmedabad. There, 24 sets are to be used that are specially adapted to the hot climate. The first test runs are planned for 2026 and the entire route should be open in 2028.