Snake Disrupts Japan's Bullet Train Service during Golden Week

The Tokaido Shinkansen experienced service disruptions due to a snake entangled in power lines, halting trains between Tokyo and Osaka during peak travel season.

In an unexpected incident, Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen, one of the busiest bullet train lines, came to a standstill after a snake wrapped itself around power lines, leading to a significant service disruption. The service between Tokyo and Osaka was suspended starting at 17:25 local time on Wednesday, with operations resuming around 19:00, according to the Central Japan Railway Company.

The incident occurred at a critical time, as Japan is currently in the midst of the Golden Week holiday – a sequence of four national holidays within a week – which sees a surge in travel across the country. Adding to the complexity, Osaka is also hosting the World Expo, attracting millions of visitors until October.

The snake was found between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara stations, affecting trains traveling towards both cities. As a result, passengers found themselves queued at ticket machines and gathered around staff for updates during the power restoration process.

Some travelers expressed their surprise at the incident. Satoshi Tagawa, a frequent shinkansen passenger, remarked that it was the first time he had faced such a suspension. Conversely, Kazutoshi Tachi voiced his frustration, noting, "I want them to run on time."

This isn’t the first encounter of its kind; in April 2024, a similar situation arose when authorities dealt with a 16-inch snake causing a 17-minute delay on the same route. As train travel remains vital for many during busy seasons, incidents like these highlight the unique challenges of maintaining service continuity.