The name was subsequently reintroduced on 1 October 1969 for a once-daily seasonal limited-express service operating between Ueno and Iwaki using 7-car KiHa 81 series diesel multiple units.

From 1 April 1973, one return service daily was extended to operate between Ueno and Sendai.

[2] During the 1990s, services were operated using Katsuta-based seven-car 485 series formations with no Green car accommodation.

The Super Hitachi (スーパーひたち) was introduced on 11 March 1989, operating between Ueno and Iwaki or Sendai, using new 651 series EMUs.

[6] Services are generally formed of 7-car or 7+4-car formations, with only the 4-car sets continuing north of Iwaki.

Trains operating between Iwaki and Sendai had discontinued, due to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which caused severe damages at parts of the section.

The Fresh Hitachi (フレッシュひたち) was introduced on 1 October 1997 between Ueno and Iwaki, using new E653 series EMUs.

During the period between 1 October 2013 and around March 2015, however, one up and one down Fresh Hitachi service daily will be operated by an 11-car 651 series formation covering while the E657 series fleet undergoes modification work to add LED seat reservation status indicators above each seat.