Tama the Cat: The Legacy of Kishi’s Super Stationmaster
Wakayama Electric Railway spans a charming 15 kilometers, serving as a vital link between the bustling Wakayama City and the quaint town of Kishi. This delightful little railway faced financial hardship and was on the brink of collapse until an unlikely hero emerged: a stray cat! Tama the cat, with her captivating presence, became the first “Super Stationmaster,” winning the hearts of both passengers and staff alike.
Tama the Cat: Savior of the Wakayama Railway
The Decline of the Kishigawa Line
Although now called Wakayama Railway, the line was once the Kishigawa Line of the Nankai Electric Railway.
The Nankai Kishigawa Line was built to help passengers visit the shrines in Wakayama, but the number of passengers declined so dramatically that Nankai considered discontinuing the line. Then, a company from Okayama came forward to take over the business.
The company began plans to develop land for a new office building, which required demolishing an old house. The house was home to several stray cats. The owners of a nearby store at Kishi Station often fed and cared for these cats. They felt sad that the cats would lose their home and asked the president of Okayama Railway if the cats could stay.
When the president met the cats, one calico cat in particular caught his attention: a cat the store owner had named Tama. Instead of getting rid of all the cats, the president decided to appoint Tama as the new stationmaster. This marked the first time a cat in Japan was given the title of stationmaster.
After she became the stationmaster, people from all over the world came to visit her. The station began to produce Tama the Cat merchandise, which tourists eagerly purchased. Due to her contributions to the company, Tama was promoted and became one of the company’s chief executives.
Tama’s Successors, Nitama and Yontama
After her passing, her apprentice, Nitama, became the stationmaster of Kishi Station. Wakayama Railway also placed another cat, Yontama, in charge of nearby Idakiso Station. In the spirit of Tama, both Nitama and Yontama welcome hundreds of visitors every day.
Riding the Wakayama Electric Railway
The Wakayama Electric Railway departs from JR Wakayama Station. After entering the JR ticket gate, proceed to the adjacent gate for the Wakayama Electric Railway platform. The train station is well-marked, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.
Make sure to purchase a one-day ticket, as it offers better value. A round-trip ticket between Wakayama and Kishi costs 820 yen, while a one-day ticket is only 800 yen.
Before you go, check the Wakayama Railway’s website to confirm that Nitama and Yontama are scheduled to be on duty that day.
Today, most of the people who use the Wakayama Electric Railway are commuters traveling to work or school in Wakayama City. However, when I boarded the train, I noticed a few tourists, including foreigners visiting Japan. While it may not attract as many visitors as it once did, it’s good to see there are still people willing to make the trip.
The Tama Train Museum train was designed by the renowned Eiji Mitooka. Its unique wooden details set it apart, and it bears some resemblance to his other work, the Tango Railway. The chandelier lighting adds a touch of luxury, and the train’s interior resembles a museum.
Halfway to Kishi is Idakiso Station. If you get off at Idakiso Station, you can visit Yontama. The station itself is quite small, but nearby is Idakido Shrine, which is just a stone’s throw away. This large shrine is significant and was actually one of the reasons the train line was created.
Kishi Station and Nitama
After a 30-minute train ride from Wakayama, we arrived at our final destination, Kishi Station. Nitama, a cat, is the stationmaster there. She was once a stray that the train company in Okayama adopted. Eventually, she became the apprentice to Tama, the previous stationmaster. After Tama’s passing, Nitama took over as the new stationmaster of the Wakayama Railway. With her long fur, Nitama resembles a Persian cat.
Kishi’s beloved Tama the Cat
At the age of 16, Tama the Cat passed away. Of course, she had a funeral, which attracted some 3,000 people, including the governor and mayor of Wakayama.
After her death, Tama had one last accomplishment: godhood. Sanctified as Tama Daimyojin, her little shrine is in front of Kishi Station.
Due to the popularity of Tama and Nitama, Kishi Station received a makeover a few years ago. It is shaped like a cat, and its roof is made of hiwada-buki (cypress bark), which is commonly found in Shinto shrines.
It is pretty incredible that many people still come all the way to Kishi Station just to see Nitama, especially since the station is pretty remote. If you have time, sit a while and visit the Tama café or the gift shop next to the station, where you can buy plenty of Tama and Nitama goods! Even after her passing, Tama’s legacy endures, leaving an indelible mark on the community and the railway, reminding everyone that even the smallest of us can make an impact.
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