Nasuno

The name Nasuno is derived from the Nasu Highlands (那須高原) and Nasu Onsen (那須温泉) areas located alongside the Tōhoku Shinkansen between Utsunomiya and Kōriyama.

There are approximately 16 return Nasuno trains daily, starting/terminating either at Oyama, Nasushiobara, or Kōriyama. Nasuno services stop at all stations en route. Double-decker Nasuno services formed of E4 series sets also operated up until September 2012, named Max Nasuno.

• E2 series (since March 1997)
• E5 series (since 17 March 2012)

Former rolling stock

• 200 series (10 December 1995, November 2011)
• E1 series (Max Nasuno) (15 July 1994, December 1999)
• E4 series (Max Nasuno) (20 December 1997, 28 September 2012)

The name Nasuno was first introduced on 22 September 1959 for semi-express (準急, junkyū) services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Kuroiso on the Tōhoku Main Line. In 1966, this was upgraded to become an express (急行, kyūkō), and on 14 March 1985, it was upgraded to become a Limited express using 185 series EMU rolling stock. From 10 March 1990, the train was rerouted to operate between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Kuroiso.

On 10 December 1995, the name was adopted for the new all-stations services on the Tōhoku Shinkansen. The Tōhoku Main Line services to and from Shinjuku were renamed Ohayō Tochigi and Hometown Tochigi from this date. Prior to 1995, Aoba services formed the all-stations services along the whole line. However, with the introduction of short-distance Nasuno services, Aoba services were reduced, and in 1997, discontinued altogether, with the local services covered by Nasuno as far as Kōriyama, and all further stations served by the Yamabiko.