Hayate (train)

Hayate
E5 series set operating a Hayate service entering Hachinohe Station, May 2023
Overview
Service typeShinkansen (Local)
StatusOperational
LocaleHonshu/Hokkaido, Japan
First service1 December 2002
SuccessorHayabusa
Current operators
Route
TerminiShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
Morioka
Stops7
Service frequency2 round trips daily
Train number91, 93, 98, 100
Lines used
On-board services
ClassesOrdinary, Green, Gran Class
Seating arrangements
  • 2+3 (Ordinary car)
  • 2+2 (Green car)
  • 1+2 (Gran Class)
Catering facilitiesTrolley service
Technical
Rolling stockE5 and H5 series
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line25 kV 50 Hz AC
Operating speed
  • Tōhoku: 275 km/h (171 mph)
  • Hokkaido: 260 km/h (160 mph)
Track owner JRTT

Hayate (Japanese: はやて) is a local high-speed Shinkansen service operated on the Tōhoku Shinkansen by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) since 2002 and on the Hokkaido Shinkansen by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) since 26 March 2016. It operates as far as the northern terminus of Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, and it is the second-fastest service on the Tohoku Shinkansen. These services were inaugurated with the opening of the Tohoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe on 1 December 2002.

The name "Hayate" has not been used previously on any train service in Japan. The name was chosen with input from the public; roughly translated, it means a strong or violent wind; however, it carries positive connotations of speed and power.