Tokyo - A monkey stopped pedestrians in their tracks at Tokyo's busy Shibuya train station Wednesday, becoming a rare photo opportunity for nearly 50 passersby.

Some 30 police officers rushed to the scene with a net in an attempt to capture the runaway Japanese Macaque, also known as the Snow Monkey, which stayed calm as it clambered up train schedule panels at the ticket gate.

No trains were disrupted by the monkey's presence.

Shoppers and commuters used their mobile phones to take pictures of the monkey, measuring about 70 centimetres, according to media reports.

Shibuya is Tokyo's trendy district, known as a young people's hub. (dpa)