Featuring an aerodynamically advanced design and a sharp, dynamic profile, the 500 Series entered service on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen in 1997, becoming the first train to operate at 300 km/h in regular commercial service in Japan. Until March 2010, it provided high-speed services between Tokyo and Hakata in just over four hours. Following its withdrawal from through services, the trainsets were shortened and rebuilt into 8-car formations. Since then, they have continued to operate as Kodama services on the Sanyo Shinkansen.