JR East E257 series

Data (as of 29 Nov 2025)

History

The E257 series is a limited express train type. JR East marked it as "a limited express train for the next generation", and replaced 183 series. The company introduced the E257 series to the Chuo Main Line and the Chiba area.

Those on the Chuo Main Line are formed of nine coaches, with some two-carriage units as spares. The two-car units had never used independently, and always attached to a nine-car unit to form eleven coaches when being in service. They were introduced to Limited Express Azusa (Shinjuku - Matsumoto) and Kaiji (Shinjuku - Kofu). They were replaced with E353 series in 2018-19, and refurbished and reallocated to the Tokaido Main Line in 2020. The spare units were scrapped by then.

Those in Chiba Prefecture are formed of five coaches with no Green Car (first class). They form ten coaches at peak hours. However, as limited express services in Chiba Prefecture have been declining because of motorway extensions, considerable units became redundant. Some of them were refurbished and reallocated to the Tokaido Main Line as well, while others have been reallocated to the northern Kanto region since 2023.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

Those on the Tokaido Main Line are used for Limited Express Odoriko (Tokyo - Izukyu-Shimoda and Shuzenji) and Shonan (Shinjuku or Tokyo - Odawara, weekdays only). Trains towards Izukyu-Shimoda are formed of nine coaches, and others towards Shuzenji are five (thus, they form 14 coaches between Tokyo and Atami).

Those in Chiba Prefecture are widely used for Limited Express Sazanami (Tokyo - Kimitsu) and Wakashio (Tokyo - Awa-Kamogawa via the Sotobo Line).

Those for the northern Kanto region are used for Limited Express Akagi (Shinjuku or Ueno - Takasaki) and Kusatsu Shima (Ueno - Naganoharakusatsuguchi).

In addition, several units, some of which have been repainted, engage in extra services in peak seasons and school trip trains.

Photos

Those on the Chuo Main Line were painted white with diamond patterns.

Those allocated to Chiba are painted yellow and blue.

The refurbished unit for the Tokaido Main Line (Odoriko).