JR East E235 series

Data (as of 22 Feb 2026)

*Including 48 carriages converted from E231 series.

History

The E235 series is the latest rolling stock of JR East. It is based on E233 series with more advanced computer systems and safer structures, making the trains more reliable, convenient and eco-friendly. When the images of the E235 series were revealed, many people reportedly described the front end of the train as an Apple product or a microwave. Like the E231 and E233 series, the E235 series can be classified to commuter-train group and suburban-train group. Unlike the predecessors, however, the suburban-train units have no transverse seating except Green Cars (first class).

50 eleven-carriage units were introduced to the Yamanote Line, but some intermediate carriages were converted from those of the E231 series. The company has been using the E235 series on the Sobu Line (Rapid) and the Yokosuka Line as well since 2020.

There were also plans to replace E233 series with the E235 series, but later revoked due to the global chip shortage in the early-2020s.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

The commuter-rail units run the Yamanote Line. The suburban-rail units are used on the Sobu (Rapid) and Yokosuka Lines, with limited services on the Kashima, Narita, Sobu Main, Sotobo and Uchibo Lines.

A few commuter-rail units for the Yamanote Line will be reallocated to the Chuo and Sobu Lines (Local) in 2026).

Photo

Suburban-train unit on the Yokosuka Line.

A unit on the Yamanote Line was temporarily painted black in 2022 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first railway in Japan.