[Breaking News]Snake disrupts shinkansen services

TOKYO, Japan, May 1 Kyodo - An electronic sign at JR Tokyo Station notifies passengers of a significant delay on the Tokaido Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and Osaka on April 30, 2025, following the disruption of services after a snake became entangled in overhead wires and caused a power outage. (Kyodo)

Snake disrupts shinkansen services

Snake disrupts shinkansen services

An electronic sign at JR Tokyo Station notifies passengers of a significant delay on the Tokaido Shinkansen line connecting Tokyo and Osaka on April 30, 2025, following the disruption of services after a snake became entangled in overhead wires and caused a power outage.

[Breaking News]Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

NAGOYA, Japan, Feb. 21 Kyodo - A Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train inspired by Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2025. (Kyodo)

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train inspired by Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2025.

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train inspired by Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2025.

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train inspired by Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2025.

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train inspired by Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2025.

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train inspired by Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2025.

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train

A Disney-themed shinkansen bullet train inspired by Tokyo DisneySea's new Fantasy Springs area runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Feb. 21, 2025.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 9

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along the Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Tokyo-Osaka bullet train service resumes after halt

Tokyo-Osaka bullet train service resumes after halt

A train service information board at JR Hamamatsu Station in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan, shows the resumption of services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines on the morning of July 23, 2024. An accident involving railway maintenance vehicles caused an all-day suspension on part of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line a day earlier, while the Sanyo Shinkansen Line was also disrupted by the accident.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 8

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 5

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 6

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 7

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 3

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 4

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident 2

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

Japan: Travel Chaos Erupts After Bullet Trains Suspended Due To Maintenance Train Accident

Travel chaos erupted at railway stations across Japan on Monday, July 22 after bullet train services between Tokyo and Osaka were partially suspended due to a collision of maintenance vehicles on tracks. Videos posted on social media show major stations along Tokaido Shinkansen Line packed with stranded travelers.

New N700S bullet train

New N700S bullet train

KYOTO, Japan, June 7 Kyodo - Central Japan Railway Co.'s new N700S bullet train conducts its fifth test run on June 6, 2019, between the western Japan cities of Maibara and Kyoto. The train is scheduled to commence commercial service in July 2020 on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line linking Tokyo with Osaka.

Powerful typhoon hits Japanese archipelago

Powerful typhoon hits Japanese archipelago

TOKYO, Japan - People walk in strong rain brought by powerful Typhoon Phanfone on a street in Tokyo's Shinjuku area on Oct. 6, 2014. The season's 18th typhoon forced airline companies to cancel many flights, while bullet train runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line and commuter train services were partly suspended.

Powerful typhoon hits Japanese archipelago

Powerful typhoon hits Japanese archipelago

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign tourists wait at Tokyo Station on Oct. 6, 2014, with their travel schedules hampered after powerful Typhoon Phanfone hit the Japanese archipelago. The season's 18th typhoon forced airline companies to cancel many flights, while bullet train runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line and commuter train services were partly suspended.

Powerful typhoon hits Japanese archipelago

Powerful typhoon hits Japanese archipelago

TOKYO, Japan - Foreign tourists wait at Tokyo Station on Oct. 6, 2014, with their travel schedules hampered after powerful Typhoon Phanfone hit the Japanese archipelago. The season's 18th typhoon forced airline companies to cancel many flights, while bullet train runs on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line and commuter train services were partly suspended.

Silver coin to commemorate 50th anniversary of Shinkansen

Silver coin to commemorate 50th anniversary of Shinkansen

OSAKA, Japan - The obverse (L) and reverse of a 1,000 yen silver coin commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line's inauguration are shown at Japan Mint's regional bureau in Osaka, western Japan, on Sept. 18, 2014.

Driver of 1st shinkansen train recalls ride 50 years ago

Driver of 1st shinkansen train recalls ride 50 years ago

TOKYO, Japan - Kazutaro Oishi, who drove Japan's first bullet train on the shinkansen line in October 1964, poses in the cockpit of the original "0 series" bullet train transferred to a special exhibition in Tokyo in July 2014, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the operation of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line.

Shinkansen exhibition to commemorate 50th anniversary

Shinkansen exhibition to commemorate 50th anniversary

NAGOYA, Japan - A girl looks at a miniature Shinkansen bullet train at an exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line at JR Nagoya Takashimaya department store in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2014. The exhibition will run till Aug. 17.

People see 'Dr. Yellow' inspection train

People see 'Dr. Yellow' inspection train

HAMAMATSU, Japan - Children pose for a photo in front of an inspection train for Shinkansen lines nick-named "Dr. Yellow" in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on July 26, 2014, at an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line operation.

People see inside of 'Dr. Yellow' inspection train

People see inside of 'Dr. Yellow' inspection train

HAMAMATSU, Japan - Children tour the inside of an inspection train for Shinkansen lines nick-named "Dr. Yellow" in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on July 26, 2014, during an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkanen bullet train line operation.

50th anniv. souvenirs for Shinkansen at railway museum

50th anniv. souvenirs for Shinkansen at railway museum

NAGOYA, Japan - Commemorative goods to mark the 50th anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line in October are seen in this undated photo. The goods were planned to be sold at the museum shop at Central Japan Railway Co.'s SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya.

Exhibit to mark Shinkansen's 50th anniversary underway

Exhibit to mark Shinkansen's 50th anniversary underway

NAGOYA, Japan - A special exhibition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train line in October is underway at Central Japan Railway Co.'s SCMAGEVL and Railway Park in Nagoya on June 23, 2014.

Tokaido Shinkansen to mark 50th anniversary in October

Tokaido Shinkansen to mark 50th anniversary in October

NAGOYA, Japan - File photo dated Oct. 1, 1964 shows a departing ceremony of a Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train held at Tokyo Station. The Tokaido Shinkansen Line began operating to coincide with Tokyo's hosting of the Summer Olympic Games.

Police, fire authorities examine fire site in central Tokyo

Police, fire authorities examine fire site in central Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - A bullet train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line runs on Jan. 4, 2014, by the site near the JR Yurakucho Station in central Tokyo where the previous day a fire caused bullet train service to be suspended for about five hours.

Returning New Year's travelers reach peak

Returning New Year's travelers reach peak

TOKYO, Japan - A platform of the Tokaido Shinkansen line at JR Tokyo Station in central Tokyo is flooded with travelers on Jan. 4, 2014, as they returned from their hometowns and resort areas. The peak of travelers returning from the New Year's holidays continued before Jan. 6 when most people begin work for the year.

Fire near Shinkansen track

Fire near Shinkansen track

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a bullet train of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line passing by a fire that broke out near JR Yurakucho Station in Tokyo on the morning of Jan. 3, 2014. Some operations on the Shinkansen line were later suspended for more than five hours due to the fire.

Fire near Shinkansen track

Fire near Shinkansen track

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a bullet train of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line passing by a fire that broke out near JR Yurakucho Station in Tokyo on the morning of Jan. 3, 2014. Some operations on the Shinkansen line were later suspended for more than five hours due to the fire.

New bullet train car

New bullet train car

OSAKA, Japan - Photo shows the N700A (L), a new model of bullet train, before leaving Shin Osaka station for Tokyo station on Feb. 8, 2013, and the previous N700 model (R). A ceremony was held at both stations to mark the start of commercial operations of the N700A on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Although not very different in appearance from the previous model, the latest version employs a number of new technologies including a better brake system to cope with earthquakes.

New bullet train car

New bullet train car

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows the N700A, a new model of bullet train, leaving Tokyo station for Shin Osaka station on Feb. 8, 2013. A ceremony was held at both stations to mark the start of commercial operations of the N700A on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Although not very different in appearance from the previous N700 model, the latest version employs a number of new technologies including a better brake system to cope with earthquakes.

New bullet train car

New bullet train car

OSAKA, Japan - Photo shows the N700A, a new model of bullet train, leaving Shin Osaka station for Tokyo station on Feb. 8, 2013. A ceremony was held at both stations to mark the start of commercial operations of the N700A on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. Although not very different in appearance from the previous N700 model, the latest version employs a number of new technologies including a better brake system to cope with earthquakes.

New shinkansen train

New shinkansen train

TOKYO, Japan - A new N700A bullet train enters a platform at JR Tokyo Station on Feb. 1, 2013. Central Japan Railway Co. gave a ride for reporters before the train's launch on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line on Feb. 8.

New shinkansen train

New shinkansen train

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a logo on the body of a new N700A bullet train at JR Tokyo Station on Feb. 1, 2013. Central Japan Railway Co. gave a ride for reporters before the train's launch on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line on Feb. 8.

Quake measures on shinkansen

Quake measures on shinkansen

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Central Japan Railway Co. shows reporters a rail (back) with anti-derailment gears in case of a major quake on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line at JR Mishima Station in Shizuoka Prefecture on Jan. 9, 2013.

Quake measures on shinkansen

Quake measures on shinkansen

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Central Japan Railway Co. shows reporters a rail with anti-derailment gears in case of a major quake on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line at Mishima Station in Shizuoka Prefecture on Jan. 9, 2013.

Antiterrorism drill

Antiterrorism drill

GIFU, Japan - Central Japan Railway Co., Gifu prefectural police and other entities jointly conduct an antiterrorism drill at JR Gifuhashima bullet train station in Gifu Prefecture on May 28, 2012. The drill at the station on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line connecting Tokyo and Osaka simulated an attack on the station using a plastic bottle containing liquid that could generate toxic gas.

Last run of 300 series shinkansen train

Last run of 300 series shinkansen train

TOKYO, Japan - Many railway fans rush to take photos of a 300 series shinkansen train (R) at JR Tokyo Station on March 16, 2012, before it leaves on the last run of the series on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

Retiring shinkansen train

Retiring shinkansen train

TOKYO, Japan - A 300 series shinkansen bullet train with a sticker attached expressing gratitude is shown to reporters in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2012. The train will be used for the last run of the 300 series of trains on the Tokaido Shikansen Line on March 16, 2012.

Retiring shinkansen train

Retiring shinkansen train

TOKYO, Japan - A 300 series shinkansen bullet train (front) with a sticker attached expressing gratitude is shown to reporters in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2012. The train will be used for the last run of the 300 series of trains on the Tokaido Shikansen Line on March 16, 2012.

Retired shinkansen train

Retired shinkansen train

TOKYO, Japan - Members of a family have fun around a 0 series shinkansen bullet train displayed at the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park museum in Nagoya on Dec. 5, 2011. The original 0 series trains were put into operation when the Tokaido Shinkansen Line opened in 1964. They ran on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines and retired in 2008.

M6.4 quake jolts Shizuoka Pref.

M6.4 quake jolts Shizuoka Pref.

TOKYO, Japan - A man talks on a mobile phone on a platform at JR Tokyo Station on March 15, 2011, as the Tokaido Shinkansen Line bullet train service was suspended after a strong earthquake rocked Shizuoka Prefecture and its vicinity, including Tokyo.

Summer holiday exodus peaks

Summer holiday exodus peaks

TOKYO, Japan - Passengers board the Tokaido Shinkansen Line at JR Tokyo Station on August 12, 2010. The annual rush of travelers heading to their hometowns and resorts during Japanese ''Bon'' summer holiday season peaked the same day, with people packing roads, railways and airports.

Summer holiday exodus peaks

Summer holiday exodus peaks

TOKYO, Japan - Passengers pass through ticket gates of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line at JR Tokyo Station on August 12, 2010. The annual rush of travelers heading to their hometowns and resorts during Japanese ''Bon'' summer holiday season peaked the same day, with people packing roads, railways and airports.