They couple with E2 series trains for their journey from Tokyo to Fukushima, traveling at a maximum speed of 275 km/h (170 mph).

[3] The Tsubasa service commenced from the start of the revised timetable on 1 October 1961 as a limited express operating between Ueno in Tokyo and Akita, using new KiHa 80 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains in 6-car formations.

[4] From April 1963, the trains were increased from 6 to 7 cars to cope with the popularity of the service, and from 5 December of the same year, an additional unit was added to the formation when running between Ueno and Morioka.

[4] In October 1975, electrification of the Ou Main Line was completed, and from the start of the revised timetable on 25 November, the KiHa 181 series DMUs were replaced on Tsubasa services by 485 series electric multiple unit (EMU) trains.

From the start of the revised timetable in October 1978, three return workings operated daily, with non-reserved cars also included for the first time.

[4] From 1 July 1992, the Tsubasa name was transferred to new high-speed shinkansen services operating between Ueno and Yamagata.

From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, nine out of sixteen daily Tsubasa services run coupled with Yamabiko services formed of E2 series trains, instead of E4 series sets, allowing the maximum speed to be raised from 240 km/h to 275 km/h on the Tōhoku Shinkansen tracks, and shaving up to 6 minutes off journey times between Tokyo and Shinjō.

[8] From the start of the revised timetable on 16 March 2024, E8 series sets were introduced on Tsubasa services, progressively replacing the existing E3 series sets and allowing the maximum top speed to be increased from 275 to 300 kilometers per hour (171 to 186 mph).