The name was chosen with input from the public; roughly translated, it means a strong or violent wind; however, it carries positive connotations of speed and power.

As a result, the Hayate was introduced, in order to serve the newly extended section between Morioka and Hachinohe.

Hayate trains ran between Tokyo and Hachinohe, and skips all stations between Ōmiya and Sendai.

All seats in Hayate trains require reservation, due to the popularity of Shinkansen services from Tokyo to the Tohoku region.

And on 19 November 2011, E5 series trainsets, with maximum speeds of 320 km/h, were introduced to the line, with some of them used on Hayate services.