The first 10+5-car train was originally scheduled to be delivered in time for entry into service from the March 1995 timetable revision, but deliveries from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe were delayed until May due to the effects of the Great Hanshin earthquake in January of that year.
The first trains ultimately entered revenue service from the start of the 1 December 1995 timetable revision.

Between September and October 2006, modifications were made to the side windows to allow some windows to be opened.
From October 2006, the fleet underwent modifications to add toilets, and from the start of the 18 March 2007 timetable revision, the E501 series trains were displaced from Joban Line services out of Ueno by E531 series sets, and were transferred to local services on the Joban Line north of Tsuchiura and on the Mito Line.
Between 2011 and 2012, the fleet underwent a life-extension refurbishment programme, which involved replacing electrical and brake equipment.
The first 10+5-car train was originally scheduled to be delivered in time for entry into service from the March 1995 timetable revision, but deliveries from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Kobe were delayed until May due to the effects of the Great Hanshin earthquake in January of that year. The first trains ultimately entered revenue service from the start of the 1 December 1995 timetable revision.
Between September and October 2006, modifications were made to the side windows to allow some windows to be opened. From October 2006, the fleet underwent modifications to add toilets, and from the start of the 18 March 2007 timetable revision, the E501 series trains were displaced from Joban Line services out of Ueno by E531 series sets, and were transferred to local services on the Joban Line north of Tsuchiura and on the Mito Line. Between 2011 and 2012, the fleet underwent a life-extension refurbishment programme, which involved replacing electrical and brake equipment.
E501 series