Nasuno


The Nasuno is a train service operated on the Tōhoku Shinkansen by East Japan Railway Company in Japan. It serves all stations between and, a medium-sized city approximately 225 km north of Tokyo.

Origin

The name Nasuno is derived from the Nasu Highlands and Nasu Onsen areas located alongside the Tōhoku Shinkansen between Utsunomiya and Kōriyama.

Operations

There are approximately 16 return Nasuno trains daily, starting/terminating either at, Nasushiobara, or Kōriyama. Nasuno services stop at all stations en route.
Double-decker Nasuno services formed of E4 series sets also operated up until September 2012, named Max Nasuno.

Rolling stock

The name Nasuno was first introduced on 22 September 1959 for semi-express services operating between in Tokyo and on the Tōhoku Main Line. In 1966, this was upgraded to become an express, and on 14 March 1985, it was upgraded to become a Limited express using 185 series EMU rolling stock. From 10 March 1990, the train was rerouted to operate between in Tokyo and Kuroiso.
On 10 December 1995, the name was adopted for the new all-stations services on the Tōhoku Shinkansen. The Tōhoku Main Line services to and from Shinjuku were renamed Ohayō Tochigi and Hometown Tochigi from this date. Prior to 1995, Aoba services formed the all-stations services along the whole line. However, with the introduction of short-distance Nasuno services, Aoba services were reduced, and in 1997, discontinued altogether, with the local services covered by Nasuno as far as Kōriyama, and all further stations served by the Yamabiko.