The general design concept was overseen by German industrial designerAlexander Neumeister. The running gear utilizes computer-controlled active suspension for a smoother, safer ride, and yaw dampers are fitted between cars for improved stability. All sixteen cars in each original trainset were powered, giving a maximum of. Each train cost an estimated 5 billion yen, and only nine were built. It used biomimicry to reduce energy consumption by 15%, increase speeds by 10% and noise levels while increasing passenger comfort. This was done by making the train's front have the shape of a kingfisher's beak.
First announced by JR-West in September 1994, the first set was delivered for testing in 1995, entering passenger service in March 1997. The entire fleet of nine sets was delivered by 1998. It was the first Shinkansen train in Japan to operate at a maximum speed of in regular passenger service. Besides the premium Nozomi services, 16-car trains were also used on Hikari Rail Star services during the busy holiday periods. With the steady increase in the number of N700 Series Shinkansen since 2007, the 500 series were gradually retired from the Nozomi services. The last 500 series Nozomi run took place on 28 February 2010.
Formation
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Designation
Mc
M1
Mp
M2
M'
M1
Mp
Ms2
Ms
M1s
Mpkh
M2
M'
M1
Mp
M2c
Numbering
521-xx
526-xx
527-xx
528-xx
525-xx
526-xx
527-4xx
518-xx
515-xx
516-xx
527-7xx
528-7xx
525-xx
526-xx
527-xx
522-xx
Seating capacity
53
100
90
100
95
100
75
68
64
68
63
100
95
100
90
63
Cars 8 to 10 were "Green" cars. Cars 5 and 13 each had one "T"-style current collector.
Interior
8-car V sets (500-7000 series)
Eight of the original nine 500 series sets were modified and shortened to eight cars between 2008 and 2010, and were cascaded to Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama workings, replacing the earlier 0 series sets. The first reformed eight-car set was unveiled to the press on 28 March 2008, and the trains entered service on twelve daily Kodama runs from 1 December 2008. The maximum operating speed of these trains has been reduced to.
Formation
, the fleet consists of eight eight-car sets formed as follows, with car 1 at the Hakata end.
Passenger accommodation consists of 3+2 abreast unidirectional seating, with 2+2 abreast seating in car 6. Between October and December 2013, cars 4 and 5 are also scheduled to have the original seating removed and replaced with new 2+2 abreast seating, the same as used in the Hikari Rail Star 700 series trainsets. All passenger saloons on the 8-car 500 series trains are no-smoking, with new smoking compartments installed in cars 3 and 7. Cars 1, 3, 5, and 7 are equipped with toilets.
Special liveries
Since 7 November 2015, set V2 runs in a special "500 Type Eva" livery as part of the "Shinkansen:Evangelion Project" tie-up project to mark the 40th anniversary of the Sanyo Shinkansen and the 20th anniversary of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Initially planned to operate until March 2017, this livery was extended until 13 May 2018. From 24 February until 7 May 2018, the 500 series car preserved at the Kyoto Railway Museum will be exhibited in the "500 Type Eva" livery. In March 2018, JR West announced the launch of a special "Hello Kitty" themed 500 series train on Sanyo Shinkansen Kodama services. The train entered service on 30 June 2018.
Interior
Preserved examples
Car 521-1, formerly the end car of set W1, is preserved at the Kyoto Railway Museum, which opened in April 2016. This car was exhibited in the "500 Type Eva" livery between 24 February and 7 May 2018. Car 522-1, formerly the end car of set W1, is preserved at the Hitachi Kasado factory in Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi, in Autumn 2015.
