Tens of thousands of commuters experienced unexpected delays on Japan’s busy bullet train line recently, all thanks to a rather unwelcome guest: a 39-inch snake. The reptile, in a move that could only be described as audacious, managed to slither onto an overhead power line, causing a short circuit and bringing the Tokaido Shinkansen line to a complete standstill.
The incident, reported by JR Central, occurred around 5:26 p.m. local time, causing a power outage that lasted until 7 p.m. During this time, a total of 86 trains were affected, disrupting the travel plans of countless passengers. The Tokaido Shinkansen is a vital artery in Japan’s transportation network, carrying over 430,000 passengers daily between Osaka and Tokyo. This disruption caused significant inconvenience, considering the line’s reputation for punctuality; the average delay in the past year was a mere 1.6 minutes per train.
One frustrated passenger, Satoshi Tagawa, expressed his surprise and disappointment to local news outlet Kyodo News. Tagawa, who was returning to Tokyo, stated that this was his first experience with a Shinkansen suspension due to a power outage. Another passenger, Kazutoshi Tachi, echoed the sentiment of relief after services resumed, while also expressing his frustration with the increasing number of disruptions.
While incidents involving snakes on the Shinkansen are rare, this isn’t the first time a reptile has caused a disruption. Last year, a smaller snake was found on a passenger carriage on the Tokyo-Nagoya line. JR Central officials remain baffled as to how the snake gained access to both locations.
The incident highlights the unexpected challenges even the most technologically advanced and efficient transportation systems can face. It serves as a reminder that even the most meticulously planned journeys can be thrown off course by the most unlikely of circumstances – in this case, a rather adventurous snake with a penchant for high-voltage wires. While this incident had a relatively quick resolution, it certainly leaves commuters wondering what other unexpected wildlife encounters might be in store for their future train journeys.
