JR East KiHa 100 and 110 series

Data (as of 22 Feb 2026)

History

KiHa 100 series is a type of diesel train for rural lines. They are often classified as KiHa 100 series in a narrow sense (double-ended with 16 or 17-metre-long body) and KiHa 110 series (20-metre long body forming two-carriage unit). They replaced old diesel trains like KiHa 20 series, and made journey times shorter than before. The KiHa 100 series was welcomed by local residents at the time of introduction, as all carriages are air-conditioned.

The KiHa 100 series has been used mostly for stopping services, but they were used for a few express and even limited express in the past. The KiHa 110 series was first introduced to Express Rikuchu (Morioka - Miyako via the Kamaishi Line), and also used for Limited Express Akita Relay (Kitakami - Akita via the Kitakami Line) when the Tazawako Line was closed due to track improvement work in 1996-97. Other carriages were introduced to various rural lines from Aomori to Saitama Prefectures. However, those on the Suigun Line were superseded by KiHa E130 series, since the KiHa 100 series could not deal with severe congestion.

They can join to KiHa E120 series carriages and the KiHa E130 series. However, since those newer trains were reallocated to different places, the combination of these different trains can no longer be seen.

Some redundant carriages were converted to tourist trains, such as High Rail 1375 (the Koumi Line), Oikotto (the Iiyama Line), POKÉMON with YOU (the Ofunato Line) and Tohoku Emotion (the Hachinohe Line).

Current Operations & Future Prospects

The KiHa 100 and 110 series are used across the Tohoku region including the Aterazawa, Ban-etsu East/West, Hachiko, Iiyama, Ishinomaki, Kamaishi, Kesennuma, Kitakami, Koumi, Ofunato, Ominato, Rikuu East/West and Tadami Lines. Some run major railways like the Shin-etsu Main and the Tohoku Main Lines. Those services are mainly drive-only.

JR East has decided to replace the series on the Hachiko and Kamaishi Lines with brand new trains by March 2026. Many other remaining carriages have been refurbished in the early-2020s, but they are also likely to be phased out within a few years as they are more than or nearly 30 years old.

Three carriages were resold to Hitachinaka Seaside Railway in Ibaraki Prefecture, indicating that more KiHa 100 or 110 series trains could be acquired by rural private railways in the near future.

Photos

Komagawa station in Saitama Prefecture is the closest place to Tokyo to see the KiHa 110 series.

Some units in the Tohoku region are painted differently.