The 1.5kV dc 1067mm-gauge trains will enter service in spring 2017, initially on the 41km Tobu Sky Tree Line from to Tokyo Asakusa to Miyashiro in Saitama prefecture.
Styling of the 500 series has been supervised by industrial designer Mr Ken Okuyama and the exterior is intended to reflect the design of the world's tallest tower, the 634m Tokyo Sky Tree.
Each three-car set will be formed of two powered driving vehicles and one unpowered intermediate trailer, seating a total of 161 passengers. The aluminium-bodied vehicles will be 20m long and 2.87m wide.
The driving cars are equipped with end gangways, which will enable splitting and joining of trains to serve multiple destinations.
The 500 series will be equipped with permanent magnet synchronous traction motors and active suspension, a first for the Tobu Railway.
In order to minimise power consumption, the 500 series will be equipped with LED interior lights. Free passenger Wi-Fi and at-seat power points will also be available throughout the train.