The prototype E2-1000 series train (unit J51) was delivered as an 8-car
to Sendai depot in late December 2000, and entered revenue-earning
service in November 2001 after extensive testing. Units J52 onwards were
delivered as 10-car units from July 2002, entering service on the
Tohoku Shinkansen from December 2002. These trains replaced life-expired
200 series trains and augment JR East's fleet for use on new Hayate services following the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe in December 2002.
The E2-1000 series incorporates a number of design improvements
compared with the earlier batches, the most noticeable of which is the
change from small windows for each seating bay to wide windows similar
to the E4 series trains. A new single-arm pantograph design is used with
an aerofoil-shaped mounting that eliminates the need for pantograph
shrouds. The pre-series set, J51, was equipped with automatic couplers
at both ends, but sets J52 onwards have couplers at the northern end
only, as on the earlier E2' trains. Unlike the earlier J sets, these
units are only compatible with the 50 Hz power supply of the Tohoku and
Joetsu Shinkansen routes. The flush-fitting plug doors
of the earlier N and J sets were replaced by conventional sliding doors
on these units. While J51 was delivered in the same livery as earlier
E2 series trains, units J52 onward were delivered from new in the Hayate
livery with a magenta waistline stripe in place of the previous red and
a new "apple" logo in place of the "wind" logo on the original batch of
J and N units.


Withdrawals of E2-1000 series sets commenced in March 2019, beginning with set J51.


Effective 18 March 2023, all sets have been withdrawn from Joetsu
Shinkansen services and restricted to services on the Tohoku Shinkansen
as a result of operating speed upgrades on the Joetsu Shinkansen; from
240 to 275 km/h (149 to 171 mph).