A total of 40 cars were built between 2000 and 2005 for use on new Super Hakuchō services introduced from 1 December 2002 between and via the undersea Seikan Tunnel coinciding with the opening of the Tōhoku Shinkansen extension to Hachinohe. 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. 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. Two new 3-car sets, HE-106 and HE-206, were delivered in April 2011. 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 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.
Formations
December 2002 – December 2005
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.
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
39.0
42.0
34.5
42.0
43.0
38.0
43.0
38.0
Capacity
29
60
68
64
68
56
68
56
Cars 2, 5, and 7 are each fitted with one N-PS789 single-arm pantograph.
Interior
''Kamui'' and ''Suzuran'' 789-1000 series
Seven 5-car 789–1000 series sets, HL-1001–1007, were delivered to Sapporo Depot between June and September 2007, and these entered service from 1 October 2007 on new Super Kamui limited express services between and, and on Airport rapid services between Sapporo and in conjunction with 785 series EMUs. These replaced the Lilac services formerly operated by 781 series EMUs. The 789-1000 sets differ from the earlier Super Hakuchō and Kamui sets in not having gangway doors beneath the driving cabs. Set HL-1005 was withdrawn in March 2011 following damage sustained in a level crossing collision on 29 January 2010. These entered service from 1 November 2013 on new Suzuran limited express services between and. From the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017, Super Kamui services were renamed simply Kamui, and are complemented by newly introduced Lilac limited express services, which uses six-car 789–0 series EMUs.
Formations
Car No.
1
2
3
4
5
Designation
Tc1
M
T
Mu
Tc2
Numbering
KuHa 789-1000
MoHa 789-1000
SaHa 788-1000
MoHa 789-2000
KuHa 789-2000
Weight
39.0
40.5
41.0
42.0
39.0
Capacity
52
64
68
49
50
Car 3 is fitted with one N-PS785 single-arm pantograph.
Interior
The 789–1000 series trainsets do not include Green class accommodation, but car 4 is designated as a "u-Seat" car with improved seating for reserved seat passengers. All other cars are normally designated as non-reserved seating.
