789 series

In service2002–present

Constructed2002–2011

789 series
789 series on a Lilac service in October 2025
In service	2002–present
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Replaced	485 series, 781 series
Constructed	2002–2011
Number built	75 vehicles
Number in service	70 vehicles
Number scrapped	5 vehicles (accident damage)
Formation	5–8 cars per trainset
Operators	JR Hokkaido
Depots	Hakodate (789 series), Sapporo (789-1000 series)
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Car length	21,670 mm (71 ft 1 in) (end cars) 21,300 mm (69 ft 11 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	2,928 mm (9 ft 7 in)
Height	4,020 mm (13 ft 2 in)
Doors	2 per side
Maximum speed	140 km/h (87 mph) (789 series) 130 km/h (81 mph) (789-1000 series)
Traction system	IGBT-VVVF
Electric system(s)	20 kV AC (50 Hz)
Current collection	Overhead line
Safety system(s)	ATS-PS, ATS-DN
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The 789 series (789系) is an AC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 2002. Two variants exist: the original 789 series for use on Lilac services (formerly used on Super Hakuchō services), and the 789-1000 series for use on Kamui and Suzuran services.^[1] Also, it has three related train types, the KiHa 261 series, KiHa 281 series and KiHa 283 series, all of which run on diesel.

December 2002 – December 2005

A total of 40 cars were built between 2002^[2] and 2005 for use on new Super Hakuchō services introduced from 1 December 2002 between Hachinohe (Shin-Aomori from December 2010) and Hakodate via the undersea Seikan Tunnel coinciding with the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe.^[3]

The trainsets were formed as four 2-car half sets, HE-101–104, and five 3-car half-sets, HE-201–205, which were coupled to produce 5- or 8-car formations.^[4]

From December 2005, new SaHa 789-100 trailer cars were added to the original 2-car sets HE-101–104, and a fifth set, HE-105 was delivered. Two additional 2-car sets, HE-301 and HE-302, were also delivered for extending trains to up to eight cars during period seasons.^[4]

Two new 3-car sets, HE-106 and HE-206, were delivered in April 2011.^[5]

In March 2016, Super Hakucho services were discontinued because the new Hokkaido Shinkansen services ran on the same route, this meant that the 789-0 services (along with the 785-300 series trains) operating on the Super Hakucho services were completely taken out of service.

From the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017, Lilac limited express services were reintroduced between Sapporo and Asahikawa using six-car 789-0 series EMUs previously used on Super Hakucho services until March 2016. These services complement the Kamui services using five-car 789-1000 series EMUs.^{[citation needed]}

Car No.	1	2		3	4	5		6	7	8
Designation	Tsc	M1		M2	M3	Tc'		M2	M3	Tc'
Numbering	KuRoHa 789-100	MoHa 788-100		MoHa 789-200	MoHa 788-200	KuHa 789-200		MoHa 789-200	MoHa 788-200	KuHa 789-200

Cars 2, 4, and 7 were each fitted with one N-PS789 single-arm pantograph.^[4]

December 2005 – March 2016

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Designation	Tsc	M1	T	M2	M3	Tc'	M3j	Tc'
Numbering	KuRoHa 789-100	MoHa 788-100	SaHa 789-100	MoHa 789-200	MoHa 788-200	KuHa 789-200	MoHa 788-300	KuHa 789-300
Weight (t)	39.0	42.0	34.5	42.0	43.0	38.0	43.0	38.0
Capacity	29 (15 Grn + 14 Std)	60	68	64	68	56	68	56