Japan's Kishi Station Has a Cat Stationmaster

In the rural countryside of Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, commuters are greeted by whiskers, paws, and a tiny stationmaster cap. Since 2007, Kishi Station has maintained one of the world's most unusual employment policies: the stationmaster must be a cat.

The tradition began when the Wakayama Electric Railway was struggling financially and facing potential closure. Instead of conventional cost-cutting, they made a brilliant marketing move—they appointed Tama, a local calico cat who had been hanging around the station, as the official stationmaster.

From Stray to Superstar

Tama wasn't just a mascot. She had official duties: greeting passengers, wearing her custom stationmaster cap, and boosting morale. The appointment was quirky enough to capture international attention. News of the feline stationmaster spread worldwide, and tourists began flooding to the remote station specifically to meet her.

The economic impact was staggering. Studies estimated that Tama contributed over 1.1 billion yen (roughly $10 million) to the local economy through increased tourism. The railway line went from near bankruptcy to profitability, all thanks to a cat.

A Legacy That Endures

When Tama passed away in 2015 at age 16, she wasn't simply mourned—she was deified. The railway held a Shinto-style funeral attended by thousands, and she was enshrined at the Tama Shrine near the station. She was posthumously promoted to "Eternal Stationmaster" and "Honorable Eternal Goddess of the Station."

But the position couldn't stay vacant. Nitama (meaning "Tama II") took over, continuing the tradition with the same charm and professionalism. After serving faithfully for nearly a decade, Nitama passed away on November 21, 2025, at age 15.

On January 7, 2025, the railway welcomed Gotama, a calico cat born in 2021, as the newest stationmaster. She now serves alongside Yontama ("Tama IV"), ensuring the legacy continues.

More Than Just Cute

The cat stationmasters aren't just tourism gimmicks—they represent a uniquely Japanese approach to community revitalization. By embracing whimsy and local character, a failing rural railway became an international destination. The station even features themed trains decorated with cat designs, a Tama Museum, and cat-themed gift shops.

Today, visitors from around the world make pilgrimages to this tiny station, not for famous landmarks or historical sites, but to meet a cat in a hat doing what cats do best: absolutely nothing, while being adored for it.