Toki (train)
The is a high-speed Shinkansen train service operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Joetsu Shinkansen in Japan. The name is taken from the Japanese name of the crested ibis, for which Niigata is famous. Station Stops. (*) Not served by all trains History. Limited express. The name "Toki" was first introduced on 10 June 1962 for limited express services operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Niigata on the Joetsu Line. This service operated until 14 November 1982, the day before the Joetsu Shinkansen opened. Shinkansen. From the start of services on the newly opened  Jōetsu Shinkansen on 15 November 1982, "Toki" became the name used for the all-stations shinkansen services operating initially between and Niigata, later between Ueno and Niigata, and eventually between and Niigata. The "Toki" name was discontinued from October 1997 following the introduction of new "Tanigawa" all-stations services between Tokyo and Echigo-Yuzawa. However, the name was reinstated from December 2002 to replace the name "Asahi" used for all Tokyo to Niigata trains. E2 series 10-car sets were re-introduced on four return "Toki" services daily from 26 January 2013, operating at a maximum speed of 240 km /h. The E4 series sets are being retired at the beginning of October 2021. Once withdrawn, there will be no more bi-level high-speed trains operating on Shinkansen services. Special train services. A special service ran as "Toki" 395 from Omiya to Niigata on 17 November 2012 using 10-car 200 series set K47.