The is a limited express

Limited express

A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes.- Japan :...

 EMU

Electric multiple unit

An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...

 introduced in 1972 by Japanese National Railways

Japanese National Railways

, abbreviated or "JNR", was the national railway network of Japan from 1949 to 1987.-History:The term Kokuyū Tetsudō "state-owned railway" originally referred to a network of railway lines operated by nationalized companies under the control of the Railway Institute following the nationalization...

 (JNR), and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company

East Japan Railway Company

is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....

 (JR East) and West Japan Railway Company

West Japan Railway Company

, also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group companies and operates in western Honshū. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka.-History:...

 (JR West). In terms of design, it is closely based on the late-model AC/DC 485 series

485 series

The is a limited express electric multiple unit type introduced in 1964 by Japanese National Railways , and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company , and formerly also operated by West Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company in Japan.-481 series:Introduced in 1964, the 481...

, with minor cosmetic differences and DC-only drive.

The trains were built by Hitachi

Hitachi, Ltd.

is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The company is the parent of the Hitachi Group as part of the larger DKB Group companies...

, Kawasaki Heavy Industries

Kawasaki Heavy Industries

is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....

, Kinki Sharyo

Kinki Sharyo

is an Osaka, Japan-based manufacturer of railroad vehicles. It is an affiliate company of Kintetsu Corporation.In business since 1920 and renamed The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd in 1945...

, Nippon Sharyo

Nippon Sharyo

, , formed in 1896, is a major rolling stock manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan. In 1996, it abbreviated its name to "日本車両" Nippon Sharyō. Its shortest abbreviation is Nissha "日車". It was a listed company on Nikkei 225 until 2004. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange...

, and Tokyu Car Corporation

Tokyu Car Corporation

is a manufacturer of heavy rail cars in Japan. The company is based in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Japan, and a member of Tokyu Group. Tokyu Car manufactures rail vehicles not only for Tokyu Corporation but for other Japanese operators, including various Japan Railways Group companies and...

.

JR East

• Azusa
  Azusa (train)
  The and are limited express services operated by East Japan Railway , which run between Shinjuku and Matsumoto via the Chūō Main Line and Shinonoi Line.The name Azusa is taken from the Azusa River in Matsumoto, Nagano.-Azusa:-Super Azusa:...
  
  (seasonal only)
• Kaiji
  Kaiji (train)
  The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company . It runs mainly between Shinjuku Station in Tokyo and Kōfu Station in Kōfu, Yamanashi via the Chūō Main Line.-Kaiji:Shinjuku - Kōfu...
  
  (seasonal only)
• Wing
• Moonlight Nagara
  Moonlight Nagara
  The is a rapid overnight train service operated by East Japan Railway Company , which runs from Tokyo to Ōgaki, using the Tokaido Main Line....
  
  
• Moonlight Shinshū
  Moonlight Shinshu
  The is a seasonal overnight Rapid service operated by East Japan Railway Company , which runs between Shinjuku and Hakuba Station via the Chūō Main Line, Shinonoi Line, and Ōito Line...
  
  

JR West

The 183 series trains operated by JR West are actually DC-only conversions of 485 series trainsets. They are used on limited-express services from Kyoto

Kyoto Station

is the most important transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It has Japan's second-largest train station building and is one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one 15-story roof...

 and Shin-Osaka

Shin-Osaka Station

is a train station in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. It is the western terminus of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, and the eastern terminus of the Sanyō Shinkansen. The lines are physically joined, and many trains offer through service....

 to the northern coast of Kyoto

Kyoto Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto prefecture was known as Yamashiro....

 and Hyogo

Hyogo Prefecture

is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...

 prefectures, as part of the "Kitakinki Big X Network". These trainsets will be gradually phased out in favor of the new 287 series

287 series

The is a DC electric multiple unit train type operated by West Japan Railway Company in Japan on limited express services such as the Kinosaki and Kounotori from Kyoto and Osaka since 12 March 2011. Trains are also on order for use on Kuroshio services from July 2012.A total of 97 vehicles are on...

 from spring 2011.

• Kitakinki
  Kitakinki
  The was a limited express train service operated by JR West in Japan from 1986 until March 2011, which ran from Shin-Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen in Hyōgo Prefecture.-Service pattern and station stops:...
  
  (until March 2011)
• Kounotori
  Kounotori (train)
  The is a limited express train service operated by the West Japan Railway Company between and in Japan since 12 March 2011. It uses new 287 series electric multiple units in addition to existing 183 series EMUs, and replaces the previous Kitakinki services.The name means "stork", and was chosen...
  
  
• Kinosaki
  Kinosaki (train)
  The is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company . One of the services making up JR West's "Big X Network", it connects Kyoto Station and Kinosaki Onsen Station via the Sanin Main Line...
  
  
• Tamba
  Tamba (train)
  The was a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company in Japan. It operates between and via the Sanin Main Line, and was one of the services that make up JR West's "Big X Network"...
  
  (until March 2011)
• Hashidate
  Hashidate
  The is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company in Japan. One of the services making up JR West's "Big X Network", it connects Kyōto Station, Amanohashidate Station and Toyooka Station via the San'in Main Line and Kitakinki Tango Railway's Miyafuku Line and Miyazu Line...
  
  
• Maizuru
• Monju
  Monju (train)
  The was a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company in Japan from 1996 until March 2011. It operated between and via the Fukuchiyama Line and Kitakinki Tango Railway, and was one of the services that made up JR West's "Big X Network".-Service pattern:As of December...
  
  (until March 2011)

Usage - past

• Sazanami
• Wakashio
  Wakashio
  The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company . It runs from to and in Chiba Prefecture.-Station stops:Wakashio services stop at the following stations...
  
  
• Shiosai
  Shiosai
  The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company . It runs from Tokyo and Shinjuku to Chōshi in Chiba Prefecture.-History:...
  
  
• Ayame
  Ayame (train)
  The is a limited express train operated by East Japan Railway Company , which runs from to and via .-Service pattern:There are two return Ayame workings daily: one return working between Tokyo and Kashima-Jingu, and one between Tokyo and Chōshi...
  
  
• Suigo
• Toki
  Toki (train)
  is the name of a train service operating on the Jōetsu Shinkansen in Japan.-History:The name Toki was first introduced on 10 June 1962 for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Niigata on the Jōetsu Line...
  
  
• Amagi
• Odoriko
  Odoriko
  The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company , which runs between Tokyo and or in Shizuoka Prefecture.-Operations:...
  
  
• Asama
• Myōkō
• Ohayō Liner
• Chūō Liner
  Chuo Liner
  The Chūō Liner is a limited-stop reserved-seat "Home Liner" service for commuters on the Chūō Rapid Line operated by East Japan Railway Company . The train operates on weekdays only...
  
  (until March 2008)
• Ōme Liner
  Ome Liner
  The Ōme Liner is a limited-stop reserved-seat "Liner" service for commuters on the Chūō Rapid Line and Ōme Line operated by East Japan Railway Company . The train operates on weekdays only...
  
  (until June 2002)