The was a Japanese

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

electric multiple unit An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a numbe ...

(EMU) train type introduced in 1972 by

Japanese National Railways The abbreviated JNR or , was the business entity that operated Japan's national railway network from 1949 to 1987. Network Railways As of June 1, 1949, the date of establishment of JNR, it operated of narrow gauge () railways in all 46 pref ...

(JNR). Following the privatization of JNR, the 183 series was operated by

East Japan Railway Company The is a major passenger railway company in Japan and is the largest of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR-EAST or JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are ...

(JR East) and

West Japan Railway Company , also referred to as , is one of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group) companies and operates in western Honshu. It has its headquarters in Kita-ku, Osaka. It is listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is a constituent of the TOPIX Large70 index, and ...

(JR-West). In terms of design, it is closely based on the late-model AC/DC

485 series The (and the earlier 481 and 483 series variants) is a Japanese limited express electric multiple unit (EMU) type introduced in 1964 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and subsequently operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), ...

, with minor cosmetic differences and DC-only drive. The last 189 series sets were withdrawn on 29 March 2019. The trains were built by

Hitachi () is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate corporation headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is the parent company of the Hitachi Group (''Hitachi Gurūpu'') and had formed part of the Ni ...

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (or simply Kawasaki) is a Japanese Public company, public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, Heavy equipment (construction), heavy equipment, aerospace and Military, defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headq ...

Kinki Sharyo is a Japanese manufacturer of railroad vehicles based in Osaka. It is an affiliate company of Kintetsu Corporation. In business since 1920 (as Tanaka Rolling Stock Works) and renamed The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd in 1945. They have produced light ...

Nippon Sharyo , formed in 1896, is a major rolling stock manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan. In 1996, it abbreviated its name to "日本車両" Nippon Sharyō. Its shortest abbreviation is Nissha "日車". It was a listed company on Nikkei 225 until 2 ...

, and

Tokyu Car Corporation Tokyu may refer to: * Tokyu Group, a group of companies centered on Tokyu Corporation ** Tokyu Corporation, a Japanese railway company, the largest member and parent company of the group ** Tokyu Car Corporation, a former Japanese railway vehicle m ...

Former operations

JR East

* ''

Azusa Azusa may refer to: Relating to California From a Native American language, likely Tongva language, Tongva ''Asuksagna:'' *Azusa, California, a city in the United States *Azusa Pacific University, a Christian-based institution in Azusa, California ...

'' (seasonal only) * '' Kaiji'' (seasonal only) * ''Wing'' * ''

Moonlight Shinshū The was a seasonal overnight Rapid service operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), which ran between Shinjuku and Hakuba Station via the Chūō Main Line, Shinonoi Line, and Ōito Line. The service started in 2002, and is operate ...

'' * ''

Moonlight Nagara The was a seasonal rapid overnight train service operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), which ran from to in Gifu Prefecture via the Tokaido Main Line. From 2009, the service had be ...

'' * '' Sazanami'' * ''

Wakashio The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It runs from to and on the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. Station stops ''Wakashio'' services operate over the Keiyo Line and S ...

'' * ''

Shiosai The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It runs from and to on the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. Station stops ''Shiosai'' services operate over the Sōbu Main Line, stoppin ...

'' * '' Ayame'' * '' Suigo'' * '' Toki'' * '' Amagi'' * ''

Odoriko Odoriko ( ja, 踊り子) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), Izukyu Corporation, and Izuhakone Railway, which runs between and or in Sh ...

'' * '' Asama'' * '' Myōkō'' * '' Ohayō Liner'' * '' Chūō Liner'' (until March 2008) * '' Ōme Liner'' (until June 2002)

JR-West

The 183 series trains operated by JR-West were actually DC-only conversions of 485 series trainsets. They were used on limited-express services from

Kyoto Kyoto (; Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe. , the ci ...

and Shin-Osaka to the northern coast of

and Hyogo prefectures, as part of the "Kitakinki Big X Network". These trainsets were gradually phased out from spring 2011 in favor of the new 287 series, and completely removed from regular scheduled services by the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2013. * ''

Kitakinki The was a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan from 1986 until March 2011, which ran from Shin-Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen in Hyōgo Prefecture. Service pattern and station stops As of January ...

'' (until March 2011) * '' Kounotori'' (until 15 March 2013) * '' Kinosaki'' (until March 2013) * '' Tamba'' (until March 2011) * ''

Hashidate The is a limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Japan. One of the services making up JR West's "Big X Network", it connects Kyoto Station, Amanohashidate Station and Toyooka Station via the Sanin Mai ...

'' (until March 2013) * ''

Maizuru is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 78,644 in 34817 households and a population density of 230 persons per km². The total area of the city is . Geography Maizuru is located in northern Kyoto Pref ...

'' (until March 2011) * '' Monju'' (until March 2011)

References

* * {{JR-West rolling stock Train-related introductions in 1972 Electric multiple units of Japan 1500 V DC multiple units of Japan Kawasaki multiple units Nippon Sharyo multiple units Kinki Sharyo multiple units Tokyu Car multiple units