The HB-E300 series is based on the KiHa E200 hybrid DMU type introduced on the Koumi Line in 2007. One two-car train is used on the Ōito Line; two two-car trains are used on the Tsugaru and Ōminato Lines; and two four-car trains are used on Gonō LineResort Shirakami services, replacing earlier KiHa 48 DMU trainsets. The use of hybrid technology is designed to reduce fuel consumption by 10% compared with the existing Resort Shirakami trains, reduce NOx emissions by 60%, and reduce noise levels by 20 dB while idling at stations and by 30 dB when accelerating from standstill.
Interior
Seating in open saloon cars features reclining/rotating seating in 2+2 configuration with a seat pitch of. The four-car Resort Shirakami sets include compartment accommodation.
2-car ''Resort View Furusato''
The two-car train for the Ōito Line is branded Resort View Furusato. It was built by Tokyu Car Corporation in Yokohama, and delivered to Nagano in June 2010. The train entered revenue service on 2 October 2010.
Formation
The two-car Resort View Furusato set is formed as follows.
Car
1
2
Numbering
HB-E302
HB-E301
Seating capacity
44
34
Weight
40.5
41.5
2-car ''Resort Asunaro''
The two two-car trains for the Tsugaru and Ōminato Lines are branded Resort Asunaro, named after Aomori's prefectural tree, known as Asunaro in Japanese. They were built by Niigata Transys and were delivered to JR East's Aomori Depot in September 2010, entering service from 4 December 2010, coinciding with the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen extension to.
Formation
The two-car Resort Asunaro sets are formed as follows.
Car
1
2
Numbering
HB-E302
HB-E301
Seating capacity
44
34
Weight
40.3
41.3
Interior
4-car ''Resort Shirakami - Aoike''
The four-car Resort Shirakami - Aoike train for use on the Gono Line was delivered from Tokyu Car's Yokohama factory to JR East's Akita Depot in September 2010. It entered service from 4 December 2010.
Formation
The four-car Resort Shirakami - Aoike set is formed as follows.
Car
1
2
3
4
Numbering
HB-E301-1
HB-E300-101
HB-E300-1
HB-E302-1
Seating capacity
34
36
40
44
Weight
41.3
41.5
40.0
40.3
4-car ''Resort Shirakami - Buna''
The four-car Resort Shirakami - Buna train for use on the Gono Line was built jointly by J-TREC at its Yokohama factory and JR East's Akita Works in 2016, scheduled to enter service from 16 July 2016, replacing the earlier KiHa 48 four-car DMU trainset previously used. The exterior livery and interior design of this set was overseen by Ken Okuyama Design.
Formation
The four-car Resort Shirakami - Buna set is formed as follows with car 1 at the Akita/Aomori end.
