Yamabiko
The is a high-speed Shinkansen train service operated on the Tōhoku Shinkansen between and by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. Name. The word "yamabiko" is usually translated as 'echo', particularly one which is heard in the mountains. History. 1959–1963: Semi express. On 1 February 1959, the name "Yamabiko" was introduced on a service between Fukushima and Morioka on the Tōhoku Main Line. This service operated until 30 September 1963. 1965–1982: Limited express. From 1 October 1965, the name was reintroduced for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Morioka. These services continued until  22 June 1982, the day before the Tōhoku Shinkansen opened. 1982–Present: Shinkansen. From the start of services on the newly opened Tōhoku Shinkansen on 23 June 1982, "Yamabiko" became the name used for the limited-stop shinkansen services operating initially between Ōmiya and Morioka, later between Ueno and Morioka, and eventually between Tokyo and Morioka. Since 1 July 1992, some "Yamabiko" services have run coupled with "Tsubasa" services (as of 2011 formed of E3 series sets) between Tokyo and Fukushima. From 19 November 2011, E5 series trainsets were introduced on some "Yamabiko" services, replacing the remaining 200 series-operated  services. Special event train services. Sayonara 200 series Yamabiko. On 30 March 2013, a special train operated from Morioka to Tokyo, as a farewell run for the 200 series on "Yamabiko" services.