Travel chaos: Japan trains, flights cancelled as it braces for Typhoon Lan heading to western region
- Japan Airlines said flights have been cancelled on Monday and Tuesday, affecting about 25,000 people during the much-anticipated Bon holiday period
- A number of bullet train services have also been cancelled, with operators warning passengers of the possibility of sudden changes on Wednesday
Some shinkansen bullet train services and flights are set to be cancelled as a strong typhoon remains on course to make landfall on the Pacific coast of western Japan on Tuesday, affecting many people during the annual Bon holidays, the weather agency and operators said.
With Japan bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Lan, Central Japan Railway said all of its services on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka stations will be cancelled on Tuesday, as will West Japan Railway for its bullet train services between Shin-Osaka and Okayama stations.
JR Central has said shinkansen services between Tokyo and Nagoya stations will be greatly reduced on Tuesday and the bullet trains will mostly operate without seat reservations.
Although service suspensions were not planned for Monday and Wednesday, the operator warned passengers of the possibility of sudden changes.
Japan Airlines said 19 flights, including to and from Itami airport in Western Japan, had been cancelled on Monday, with 240 flights on Tuesday also cancelled, affecting around 24,800 people.
All Nippon Airways said 310 flights will be cancelled on Tuesday, with most to and from Itami airport.
Meanwhile, Universal Studios Japan’s theme park in Osaka will be closed on Tuesday, its operator said, adding that although the park plans to be open on Wednesday, the opening time may be delayed.
At 5pm, the typhoon was located about 150km southeast of Cape Shionomisaki in Wakayama Prefecture and moving northwestward.
It had an atmospheric pressure of 970 hectopascals with winds packing up to 180km per hour, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The typhoon’s approach coincided with the return rush of Bon holidaymakers.
Many people were travelling during the major holiday period for the first time since Covid-19 was legally downgraded to the same category as seasonal flu.
On Sunday, some train stations, airports and roads were congested with people opting to travel home from their Bon holidays earlier than planned.
