The is a single-car

diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also ...

(DMU) train type operated by

East Japan Railway Company The is a major passenger railway company in Japan and 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 in ...

(JR East) since November 2008.

Operations

Eight cars (numbered KiHa E120-1 to 8) are based at Koriyama Depot and are used on the following routes. *

Tadami Line The is a scenic railway line in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It connects Aizu-Wakamatsu Station at Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima, Aizuwakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture with Koide Station at Uonuma, Niigata, Uonuma in Niiga ...

( – , since March 2020)

Former operations

Until March 2020, the fleet was based at Niitsu Depot and used interchangeably with KiHa 110 series DMUs on the following routes. *

Banetsu West Line The is a railway line in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It connects Kōriyama Station in Kōriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, and Niitsu Station in Akiha Ward, Niigata, Niigata Prefecture. The name "Banetsu" is taken f ...

( – ) *

Uetsu Main Line The is a railway line in the Tohoku and Chubu regions of Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) system, it connects Niitsu Station in the city of Niigata, Niigata, Niigata and Akita Station in Akita, Akita, Akita. The name "Uet ...

(Niitsu – ) *

Shinetsu Main Line The is a railway line, consisting of three geographically separated sections, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) in Japan. It was originally one continuous line connecting and via . Since the opening and later extension of ...

(Niitsu – ) *

Yonesaka Line The is a railway line in Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It connects Yonezawa Station in Yamagata Prefecture to Sakamachi Station in Niigata Prefecture. At Yonezawa, connections to the Yamagata Shinkansen and Ōu Main ...

Hakushin Line The is a Japanese railway line which runs between and stations in the cities of Niigata, Niigata, Niigata and Shibata, Niigata, Shibata in Niigata Prefecture. It is part of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) network. Basic data *Operato ...

(Rapid ''Benibana'' and 1 local train only) JRNiigataUsage Latest.svg, Operations in Niigata and Aizu area. KiHa E120 is only on Tadami Line JRNiigataUsage 2014.svg, Operations as of July 2014 Gosen_Station_-E120.jpg, KiHa E120 on

Ban'etsu West Line The is a railway line in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It connects Kōriyama Station (Fukushima), Kōriyama Station in Kōriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, and Niitsu Station in Akiha-ku, Niigata, Akiha Ward, Niigata (cit ...

, December 2009

Exterior

The body design is based on the

KiHa E200 The is a single-car hybrid diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on the Koumi Line in Japan. Three cars were delivered in April 2007, entering revenue service from 31 July 2007. The body desig ...

DMU, and uses a new diesel engine reducing

NOx In atmospheric chemistry, is shorthand for nitric oxide () and nitrogen dioxide (), the nitrogen oxides that are most relevant for air pollution. These gases contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain, as well as affecting tro ...

emissions. Externally, the orange colour scheme is intended to evoke the autumn leaf colour of the

beech Beech (genus ''Fagus'') is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to subtropical (accessory forest element) and temperate (as dominant element of Mesophyte, mesophytic forests) Eurasia and North America. There are 14 accepted ...

forests of the

Iide mountains The or is a mountain range that spans the Fukushima, Niigata and Yamagata prefectures in Japan. Its highest peak is at 2,128m, and the main peak of the range is Mount Iide at 2,105m above sea level. The range contains a number of peaks highe ...

in Niigata, Fukushima, and

Yamagata Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. It has a population of 1,005,926 (1 February 2025) and an area of 9,325 Square kilometre, km2 (3,600 Square mile, sq mi). Its neighbours are Akita Prefectu ...

s. Between 2019 and 2020, the fleet received a green colour scheme, at the same time as the transfer from Niitsu Depot to Koriyama Depot.

Interior

Passenger accommodation consists of 1+2 abreast facing seating bays in the centre of each car, and longitudinal bench seating at the ends of cars. Each car has a

universal access Ios, Io or Nio (, ; ; locally Nios, Νιός) is a Greek island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. Ios is a hilly island with cliffs down to the sea on most sides. It is situated halfway between Naxos and Santorini. It is about long an ...

toilet. The cars are equipped with fare machines for use on ''wanman'' driver-only-operated services. KihaE120-Inside.jpg, Interior view KihaE120-Long seat.jpg, Longitudinal bench seats next to door area KihaE120_console.jpg, Control platform

History

Eight cars were built by

Niigata Transys is a Japanese railway vehicle and equipment manufacturer based in Seirō, Niigata. The company is a subsidiary of IHI Corporation and has a factory in Niigata, and representative offices in Osaka, Sapporo, Sendai, and Niigata. Products Low ...

in May 2008, entering revenue service from 1 November 2008.

References

External links

JR East E120/E130 information
{{JR East EMU 120 series East Japan Railway Company Niigata Transys rolling stock Train-related introductions in 2008