The 838 series railcars were developed as a replacement for the 381 series to make the "Shinano" express train more streamlined and cooler in preparation for the then planned Nagano Olympic Games. They were introduced in 1994 as JR Tokai shuttle express cars. After the Series 381 "Panorama Shinano", various compositions of 6, 4 or 2 Series 383 cars are in service, including the streamlined Kuro 383 headcar going to Nagano and other frontcars with gangway doors that open for train combination.