A Kintetsu Railway train derailed inside Kyoto Station on the morning of May 29, 2024, tilting the cars into a V-shape [1].
The incident disrupted one of the region's primary transit arteries, halting service for most of the day and raising questions about the safety of the Kintetsu Kyoto Line.
The derailment occurred at approximately 5 a.m. [1]. The train had traveled about 120 meters after departing the station when it left the tracks [1]. There were 33 passengers and crew members on board at the time [1]. Despite the severity of the tilt, no injuries were reported [1].
Investigation into the cause began immediately. Pre-departure inspections had indicated no faults with the track switches [2]. However, the train driver reported a strange sensation during the trip. The driver said he felt the train being pulled from behind after passing the switch, which led him to bring the vehicle to a stop [2].
Officials estimated the train was traveling at about 20 km/h when the derailment occurred [1]. The resulting damage led to a partial suspension of operations for the remainder of the day [1].
Passengers expressed shock at the scene. One unnamed passenger said they had the image that Kintetsu trains rarely derail and were surprised by the event [2]. Another passenger described the confusion as station staff used megaphones to announce the stop, saying they felt worried and wondered if things were actually okay [2].
Kintetsu Railway has not yet released a final report on the mechanical or structural failure that caused the train to tilt, but the driver's account of being pulled backward remains a central piece of the evidence [2].
“The train had traveled about 120 meters after departing the station when it left the tracks.”
This incident is atypical for Japanese rail operations, which are globally recognized for precision and safety. The fact that the train derailed at a low speed of 20 km/h suggests a potential mechanical failure or a track anomaly that bypassed standard pre-departure checks. The resulting 'V-shape' tilt indicates a significant displacement of the carriages, which may lead to stricter inspection protocols for the Kintetsu Kyoto Line to restore public confidence.
