# 221 series

The 221 series (221系, 221-kei) is a suburban electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) in the Kansai Region of Japan since March 1989.

## Operations

* Tōkaidō Main Line (Biwako Line, JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line) (Maibara - Kōbe, until 2023)
* Sanyō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) (Kōbe - Kamigōri, until 2023)
* Hokuriku Main Line (Biwako Line) (Nagahama - Maibara, until 2023)
* Kosei Line (Yamashina - Ōmi-Imazu)
* Osaka Loop Line (only on Rapid service, Regional Rapid service and Local train)
* Osaka Higashi Line (from 12 March 2022)
* Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line) (Kamo - JR Namba)
* Nara Line
* Sakurai Line (Manyō-Mahoroba Line)
* Wakayama Line (Ōji - Gojō)
* Akō Line (Aioi - Banshū-Akō, until 2023)
* Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) (Kyoto - Fukuchiyama)
* Bantan Line (Himeji - Teramae, until 2023)

## Formations

As of 1 October 2012, the fleet consisted of 474 vehicles, formed as 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-car sets, based at Kyoto, Nara, and Aboshi depots.

### Aboshi Depot
#### 8-car sets (A prefix)

| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Designation | Tc | T' | M1 | T' | M1 | T | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 221 | SaHa 220 | MoHa 220 | SaHa 220 | MoHa 220 | SaHa 221 | MoHa 221 | KuMoHa 221 |

#### 6-car sets (B prefix)

| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Designation | Tc | T' | M1 | T | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 221 | SaHa 220 | MoHa 220 | SaHa 221 | MoHa 221 | KuMoHa 221 |

#### 4-car sets (C prefix)

| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Designation | Tc | T | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 221 | SaHa 221 | MoHa 221 | KuMoHa 221 |

### Nara Depot
#### 8-car sets (NB prefix)

| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Designation | Tc | T' | M1 | T' | M1 | T | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 221 | SaHa 220 | MoHa 220 | SaHa 220 | MoHa 220 | SaHa 221 | MoHa 221 | KuMoHa 221 |

#### 6-car sets (NC prefix)

| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Designation | Tc | T' | M1 | T | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 221 | SaHa 220 | MoHa 220 | SaHa 221 | MoHa 221 | KuMoHa 221 |

#### 4-car sets (NA prefix)

| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Designation | Tc | T | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 221 | SaHa 221 | MoHa 221 | KuMoHa 221 |
| Designation | Tc' | M1 | T | Mc1 |
| Numbering | KuHa 220 | MoHa 220 | SaHa 220 | KuMoHa 220 |

#### 2-car sets

| Car No. | 1 | 2 |
| Designation | Tc' | Mc1 |
| Numbering | KuHa 220 | KuMoHa 220 |

### Kyoto Depot
#### 4-car sets (K prefix)

| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Designation | Tc | T | M' | Mc |
| Numbering | KuHa 221 | SaHa 221 | MoHa 221 | KuMoHa 221 |
The KuMoHa 221 cars in some formations are equipped with a second de-icing pantograph.

## Interior

Seating is arranged as 2+2 abreast transverse flip-over seats.
* The seat in a 221 series train
* Original interior style in May 2009
* Interior of a refurbished train
* Original LED passenger information display in September 2005
* LED passenger information display of a refurbished train in October 2014
* Wheelchair-accessible toilet of a refurbished train

## History

The first 221 series trains were introduced from the start of the revised timetable in March 1989.
The 221 series received the Laurel Prize in 1990.

### Refurbishment

From December 2012, a programme of refurbishment started, which will ultimately cover the entire fleet of 474 vehicles. Interior improvements include new universal access toilets, provision of wheelchair spaces, and flip-up seating next to the doorways. The first refurbished set, 4-car set K12, was returned to revenue service on 11 January 2013.