Snake Disrupts Japan’s Busiest Bullet Train Line During Golden Week
A surprising wildlife encounter brought Japan’s busiest bullet train line, the Tokaido Shinkansen, to a standstill on Wednesday evening. A one-meter-long snake wrapped itself around an overhead power line between Maibara and Gifu-Hashima stations, causing a power outage that halted services between Tokyo and Osaka for over 90 minutes.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:25 p.m., coinciding with the peak of Japan’s Golden Week holidays. Despite the power disruption, onboard systems such as lighting and air conditioning remained operational, ensuring passenger comfort during the unexpected delay. The bullet train service resumed service around 7 p.m. after safety checks were completed.
The Tokaido Shinkansen, known for its punctuality and safety, typically operates more than 370 bullet trains daily, serving an average of 430,000 passengers. This incident is not the first time wildlife has disrupted Shinkansen services. In previous years, snakes and other animals have caused delays, although the Shinkansen continues to maintain an exemplary safety record, with no accidents or injuries reported since its inception.
As Japan continues to celebrate Golden Week, authorities are taking additional measures to prevent similar incidents. The Tokaido Shinkansen remains a vital transportation link, connecting major cities and accommodating millions of travellers each year.
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