The Tokaido Shinkansen, a vital rail service between Tokyo and Osaka, was interrupted due to a snake entanglement that led to a power outage during one of Japan's peak travel periods.
Bullet Trains in Japan Disrupted by Snake Incident
Bullet Trains in Japan Disrupted by Snake Incident
A snake wraps around power line, causing service suspension on Tokaido Shinkansen.
On Wednesday at approximately 17:25 local time, operations of the Tokaido Shinkansen came to an abrupt stop after a snake became tangled in a power line, bringing both northern and southern bound trains to a standstill. According to the Central Japan Railway Company, services resumed around 19:00, although passengers faced delays during the busy Golden Week holiday. This period, spanning four national holidays in a single week, is known for its heightened travel activity, further exacerbated as Osaka is currently hosting the World Expo, attracting millions of visitors.
The incident unfolded between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara stations, impacting trains travelling between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya in both directions. Amidst the chaos, many passengers were observed gathering near station staff, while queues formed at ticket machines as they sought information.
One traveler, Satoshi Tagawa, 46, expressed his surprise at the bizarre nature of the delay, noting that he frequently rides the shinkansen without ever experiencing service disruptions due to animal interference. Another passenger, Kazutoshi Tachi, 26, voiced his frustration over the ongoing issues and urged for timely operations.
This isn't the first occurrence of a snake causing disruptions to the shinkansen service. Back in April 2024, another incident saw a 16-inch snake remove a brief delay of 17 minutes on a train route from Nagoya to Tokyo. The remarkable phenomenon highlights the quirky challenges of rail travel in Japan, bringing an unexpected twist to an otherwise punctual system.
The incident unfolded between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara stations, impacting trains travelling between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya in both directions. Amidst the chaos, many passengers were observed gathering near station staff, while queues formed at ticket machines as they sought information.
One traveler, Satoshi Tagawa, 46, expressed his surprise at the bizarre nature of the delay, noting that he frequently rides the shinkansen without ever experiencing service disruptions due to animal interference. Another passenger, Kazutoshi Tachi, 26, voiced his frustration over the ongoing issues and urged for timely operations.
This isn't the first occurrence of a snake causing disruptions to the shinkansen service. Back in April 2024, another incident saw a 16-inch snake remove a brief delay of 17 minutes on a train route from Nagoya to Tokyo. The remarkable phenomenon highlights the quirky challenges of rail travel in Japan, bringing an unexpected twist to an otherwise punctual system.
