In brief
The Tokaido Shinkansen line experienced a temporary suspension after a snake wrapped around power lines, disrupting services between Tokyo and Osaka. This incident occurred during Japan's Golden Week holiday, raising concerns among travelers.
One of Japan's major bullet train lines, the Tokaido Shinkansen, faced unexpected disruptions due to a snake entangled in power lines, leading to a power outage. The halt affected trains operating between Tokyo and Osaka, with services suspended starting at around 17:25 local time on Wednesday. Operations resumed at approximately 19:00, as reported by Central Japan Railway Company.The incident occurred during Japan's busy holiday season known as Golden Week, which spans multiple national holidays, thereby increasing passenger volumes on trains, planes, and at tourist destinations. Additionally, Osaka is hosting the World Expo this year, expected to attract millions of travelers until its conclusion in October.The snake incident took place between Gifu-Hashima and Maibara stations, impacting both Tokyo-bound trains between Shin-Osaka and Nagoya as well as Osaka-bound trains from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo. As emergency crews worked to resolve the issue and restore power, many passengers gathered at affected stations, leading to long waiting lines at ticket machines. One commuter, Satoshi Tagawa, expressed surprise, noting that despite frequent travels on the shinkansen, this was his first experience with a service suspension attributed to a power outage. Conversely, 26-year-old Kazutoshi Tachi voiced frustration over the delays, emphasizing the need for punctual service.This isn't the first time snake-related incidents have impacted bullet train operations; back in April 2024, a similar occurrence caused a temporary 17-minute hold-up while railway authorities removed a 16-inch snake from the tracks between Nagoya and Tokyo.
