Passengers experienced travel chaos as trains were temporarily suspended amid Golden Week festivities.
Snake Disruption Delays Japan's Bullet Trains During Holiday Rush
Snake Disruption Delays Japan's Bullet Trains During Holiday Rush
A snake tangled in a power line causes major delays on one of Japan's busiest train lines during peak travel season.
One of Japan’s most traveled bullet train routes faced significant disruptions when a snake wrapped itself around a power line, leading to a power outage. The Tokaido Shinkansen line, which connects Tokyo and Osaka, halted operations around 17:25 on Wednesday and only resumed services around 19:00, as reported by Central Japan Railway Company and local media sources.
The incident occurred during Golden Week, a period characterized by four national holidays spread over a week, which sees heightened travel activity. Additionally, the city of Osaka is currently hosting the World Expo, drawing millions of visitors both internationally and domestically.
Trains were suspended between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara stations, affecting both Tokyo-bound and Osaka-bound services. Passengers waited patiently at the affected stations, with many gathering around staff for updates while ticket machines witnessed long lines of travelers eager to rebook their journeys.
Satoshi Tagawa, a frequent shinkansen traveler, noted that it was his first experience facing a suspension due to a snake incident. Meanwhile, a discontented traveler, Kazutoshi Tachi, expressed frustration over repeated service disruptions, emphasizing a desire for on-time operations.
This snake-related incident is not an isolated event; a similar occurrence took place in April 2024, when a 16-inch snake caused a 17-minute delay on the same route, illustrating the unusual challenges faced by Japan's renowned rail system.
As the Golden Week progresses and with the World Expo ongoing, authorities remain focused on ensuring smooth operations while dealing with unexpected wildlife encounters.
The incident occurred during Golden Week, a period characterized by four national holidays spread over a week, which sees heightened travel activity. Additionally, the city of Osaka is currently hosting the World Expo, drawing millions of visitors both internationally and domestically.
Trains were suspended between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara stations, affecting both Tokyo-bound and Osaka-bound services. Passengers waited patiently at the affected stations, with many gathering around staff for updates while ticket machines witnessed long lines of travelers eager to rebook their journeys.
Satoshi Tagawa, a frequent shinkansen traveler, noted that it was his first experience facing a suspension due to a snake incident. Meanwhile, a discontented traveler, Kazutoshi Tachi, expressed frustration over repeated service disruptions, emphasizing a desire for on-time operations.
This snake-related incident is not an isolated event; a similar occurrence took place in April 2024, when a 16-inch snake caused a 17-minute delay on the same route, illustrating the unusual challenges faced by Japan's renowned rail system.
As the Golden Week progresses and with the World Expo ongoing, authorities remain focused on ensuring smooth operations while dealing with unexpected wildlife encounters.
