Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) has finalized the design and symbol mark for the initial mass-production trainset of its new 385 series limited express train.
The 385 series is being developed to eventually replace the current 383 series used on the Limited Express “Shinano,” which connects Nagoya and Nagano in central Japan. An 8-car trainset will be introduced around spring 2026 as the lead mass-production unit. The design concept is “Harmony of Rich Nature and Culture in the Shinano, Kiso, and Mino Areas.” The exterior design is themed “A Fresh Breeze Soaring Through the Alps,” evoking the image of a wind swiftly running through the ridgelines of the Japanese Alps. The end cars will feature forward-facing observation windows, allowing passengers to enjoy the natural scenery in all four seasons.
The symbol mark reflects both the characteristics of the train and the regions along the line. A green gradation represents the forests of the Shinano, Kiso, and Mino areas; a large green-based curve and three lines express the coniferous trees along the route; and an orange curve symbolizes the sense of speed when running through curves at the fastest rate in Japan. The symbol mark will be placed in a total of eight locations, two each on cars 1, 3, 6, and 8.
The interior uses many vertical lines and woodgrain-style materials to evoke the image of the “Kiso Five Trees,” which are historically associated with the Kiso region in Japan. The Green Car (first class) is themed “Elegant Sense of Privacy,” and will feature 3-abreast back-shell seats, a first for JR Central’s conventional lines. Mino ware (Mino-yaki) ceramics will be used in the wall decorations. The Ordinary Car (standard class) is themed “Comfort of Nature,” with seats designed to represent the forests of Kiso and a refreshing, bright color scheme throughout the cabin.
The initial mass-production trainset will begin test runs around spring 2026 to verify next-generation tilting control technology and other systems. JR Central aims to commence commercial operation of full mass-production units around fiscal year 2029.
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