The 200 Series Shinkansen trainsets were built for the second generation of Shinkansen dedicated high-speed rail lines in Japan, the Tohoku Shinkansen and Joetsu Shinkansen. They actually predate the 100 Series Shinkansen, having been built between 1980 and 1986.

They resemble the earlier 0 Series Shinkansen in styling (some later units have the pointed 'shark nose' of the 100 Series), but are lighter and more powerful, since these two lines are mountain routes and have steeper grades. These lines are also prone to snowfall and the trains have small snowplows fitted, as well as protection of equipment against snow.

They were originally painted in cream with a green window band and lower carbody band, but some have now been refurbished and painted into a white-upper/dark blue-lower scheme with new one piece wrap-around cab windows.

The first units were capable of 210 km/h (130 mph) but later ones can do 240 km/h (150 mph), and four have been converted to be capable of 275 km/h (170 mph). Some units have also been modified with retractable couplers behind sliding nose doors to be able to couple with other Shinkansen units to produce longer trains that can be broken apart when needed.

Some of the earlier units have been withdrawn from service as of 2003.