JR West 223 series

Data (as of 29 Nov 2025)

History

The 223 series is a type of suburban train in Kansai Region, and the most numerous train that JR West currently owns. There are two, four, six and eight-carriage units, and some of them can be coupled with 225 series. They entered service on the Hanwa Line when Kansai Airport was opened, and then the Biwako, Kyoto and Kobe Lines (the Tokaido Main and San-yo Main Lines). Those introduced after 1995 can run at 130 km/h (81 mph), making New Rapid services on the Kyoto and Kobe Lines even faster. Those on the Fukuchiyama Line are converted to be able to couple with 221 series by reducing the maximum speed and acceleration. Furthermore, several units are allocated to Okayama for Rapid Marine Liner (Okayama - Takamatsu).

The 223 series have been used on fast services like New Rapid and Kansai Airport Rapid. Some other suburban trains such as 521 series and JR Shikoku 5000 series are based on the 223 series.

Current Operations & Future Prospects

The 223 series are widely used across the network in the Kansai area, including the Fukuchiyama, Kosei, Hanwa, Hokuriku Main (as far as Tsuruga), Tokaido Main and San-yo Main Lines (also known as the Biwako, the Kyoto and Kobe Lines) and the San-in Main Line (the Sagano Line), as well as the Uno, Honshi-Bisan and Yosan Lines (via the Great Seto Bridge).

Following the introduction of the 225 series, some 223 series units on fast services above mentioned have been reallocated to stopping services in the same regions.

Photos

Those introduced in 1994 look different (especially the headlights).

The 223 series in Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku.