[1][2] The front-end styling of these units consisted of a 'curved wedge', replacing the aircraft-style nose-cones of previous Shinkansen trains.

They were only formed as sixteen-car sets and had no restaurant cars, though they did originally feature two refreshment counters (later removed).

Technically, they are notable for being the first Shinkansen sets to employ three-phase AC traction motors instead of direct current units, as well as new bolsterless bogies to reduce weight.

The prototype set was initially fitted with five pantographs, but this was later reduced to two in line with modifications to the production fleet.

[4] In December 1998, set J59 was fitted experimentally with new 700 series style single-arm pantographs and fairings to reduce noise and air resistance.

Following testing, JR Central subsequently fitted new pantographs to all of its sets, with modifications completed by late 2002.

The remaining fleet of JR Central 300 series sets were removed from regular scheduled services from 1 February 2012,[5] and were completely withdrawn following the final runs on 16 March 2012.