The 381 series (381系, 381-kei) was a tilting DC electric multiple unit (EMU) train type introduced in 1973 by Japanese National Railways (JNR), and operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), and Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) in Japan.

[2] Trainsets entered revenue service from 10 July 1973 on the Shinano limited express between Nagoya and Nagano.

[2] JR-West 381 series trains were removed from Kuroshio, Kounotori, Kinosaki, and Hashidate limited express services in October 2015, with the last services operating on 30 October.

[3] As the new 273 series sets began service from 6 April 2024, it was announced by JR West in December 2023 that the remaining 381 series sets were scheduled to be retired from June 2024.

[4] The next sets to be retired were those repainted in various historic liveries; the sets sporting the Yuttari Yakumo livery were scheduled for retirement at a later date.