JR West 323 series

Data (as of 23 May 2026)

History

The 323 series is a type of commuter train for the Osaka Loop and Sakurajima Lines, replacing 40-year-old 103 series and 201 series. At the time of introduction, the old commuter trains had four sets of doors per carriage while other newer trains (i.e. 221 series, 223 series and 225 series) have three sets of doors. JR West concluded that new three-door trains would be essential to introduce platform edge doors to stations on the Osaka Loop Line.

The 323 series is based on the 225 series, but 323 series units are formed of eight coaches with longitudinal seating. They are partly orange just like the predecessors (the 103 and 201 series). Since the 323 series was developed for all-stations service, its maximum speed is just 100 km/h (62 mph)

Current Operations & Future Prospects

22 eight-car units are used for stopping services on the entire Osaka Loop Line and the Sakurajima Line (also known as the Yumesaki Line). Some units are covered with Universal Studio Japan advertisements.