[1] The word tsubame (燕) in Japanese means "swallow", and has been used on a succession of limited express trains on the Tokaido and Sanyo Main Line in Japan since 1930.

[2] The name was revived (this time written as "つばめ") from 1 January 1950 for limited express services operating between Tokyo and Osaka, hauled by JNR Class C62 steam and JNR Class EF58 electric locomotives, and later by 151 series electric multiple unit (EMU) trains.

From 1 October 1964, following the opening of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the name was reassigned to limited express trains operating between Shin-Osaka and Hakata.

This was to facilitate transfer of passengers from shinkansen to Relay Tsubame and vice versa.

Eight-car N700 series services are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Kagoshima-Chūō (southern) end.