Japan is known for its punctuality in its train system. However, a 40-centimeter serpent delayed the Shinkansen bullet train service bound for Osaka by 17 minutes.
According to local media, the incident happened Tuesday night (Apr. 16) after passengers discovered the snake loitering on the train between Tokyo and Nagoya.
While there was no injury or panic among passengers, the rail company decided to use another train for the passengers to travel to while officials attempted to capture the snake.
Investigations on the breed of the snake and how it managed to board the train are underway.
"It's difficult to imagine wild snakes somehow climbing onto the train at one of the stations," a Shinkansen spokesperson said. "We have rules against bringing snakes onto the Shinkansen, but we don't check passengers' baggage."
Tuesday's incident was not the first time a snake was discovered on a Shinkansen. In 2016, a passenger saw a python curled around the armrest of another person's seat, leading to an unscheduled stop. Despite the disruption, the train arrived on time at its destination, Hiroshima.
Aside from snakes aboard trains, several Shinkansen lines were suspended in January due to a power outage. Two months later, a bullet train overran a station in northeastern Japan by around 500 meters, causing suspension and service delays.
Earlier this month, Shinkansen lines bound for Kyushu were also temporarily halted after a man threw some cup noodles at the train. The delays, which lasted for up to 40 minutes, affected approximately 5,600 passengers.
Small cats, dogs, and pigeons were allowed on bullet trains in Japan, but snakes were prohibited.
