The KiHa 281 series entered revenue service from the start of the revised timetable on 1 March 1994.
The new tilting trains operated at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), reducing the journey time for the 318 km distance between Hakodate and Sapporo to 3 hours, shaving 30 minutes off the journey time for Hokuto services operated by KiHa 183 series DMUs.

The original "HEAT281" logo on cab sides of the pre-production trains was changed from "Hokkaido Experimental Advanced Train" to "Hokkaido Express Advanced Train" with the arrival of the production cars.
This logo was later changed to "Furico 281" to match the style used on the newer KiHa 283 series trains.
The KiHa 281 series entered revenue service from the start of the revised timetable on 1 March 1994. The new tilting trains operated at a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), reducing the journey time for the 318 km distance between Hakodate and Sapporo to 3 hours, shaving 30 minutes off the journey time for Hokuto services operated by KiHa 183 series DMUs.
The original "HEAT281" logo on cab sides of the pre-production trains was changed from "Hokkaido Experimental Advanced Train" to "Hokkaido Express Advanced Train" with the arrival of the production cars. This logo was later changed to "Furico 281" to match the style used on the newer KiHa 283 series trains.
KiHa 281 series