Japanese Commuters Shocked by Snake Hidden in Subway on Their Way Home

20cm Snake Found on JR Yamanote Line
Captured After Citizen Report... Likely to Be Released Back into the Wild

A snake appeared inside a Japanese subway train, causing a commotion and delays during the evening commute.

Yamanote Line operating in Tokyo, Japan.
Photo by Yonhap News

According to Yomiuri Shimbun, a snake was found on the Yamanote Line (a loop line with 11 cars) stopped at JR Shibuya Station around 5 p.m. on the 13th. The Yamanote Line, operated in Tokyo, Japan, is a major line connecting central areas, comparable to Seoul Subway Line 2. The entire loop covers 34.5 km and takes 1 hour and 3 minutes to complete one full circuit.

The snake was discovered about two hours after the initial report. Although no one was injured, approximately 2,700 commuters were affected during the evening rush hour. JR East, which operates the train, explained, "The train temporarily stopped at Komagome Station, and passengers in car 8, where the report originated, were moved to other cars. Station staff inspected the car but initially did not find the snake. Passengers were then prohibited from entering car 8, and service resumed about 15 minutes later. Around 7 a.m., center staff found the snake under a seat cushion, captured it, and reported it to the police."

The Shinagawa Police Department, which responded to the report, stated, "The snake found this time was about 20 cm long and is presumed to be a juvenile rat snake. Upon inspection, it was confirmed to be non-venomous. The snake will be released back into the wild."

This is not the first time a snake has been found inside a Japanese subway. On the 17th of last month, a 40 cm long snake was discovered inside a Tokaido Shinkansen train. The incident caused a delay of about 17 minutes, affecting approximately 630 passengers. In September 2016, a roughly 30 cm snake was also found in a Nozomi Shinkansen car traveling from Tokyo to Hiroshima.