Yontama, the calico cat, has officially taken on the role of "station master" at Kishi Station (Japan), continuing a unique tradition that has helped revive the Kishigawa railway line.
Yontama, the calico cat, was officially appointed as "station master" on January 7th. Photo: Bernama.
On January 7th, the cat Yontama was officially appointed in a small ceremony held at Kishi Station in Kinokawa City (Wakayama Prefecture, Japan). On this occasion, Wakayama Electric Railway also introduced Rokutama, the newest "trainee station master," joining the ranks of four-legged staff on the Kishigawa line, Kyodo News reported.
Yontama succeeds Nitama, the "female station master" who passed away last November. In recognition of her contributions to promoting the railway line over the years, Nitama was awarded the title of honorary station master – a rare honor bestowed upon a cat.
In reality, the "cat station master's" job isn't about selling tickets or operating trains. The station master's role is purely symbolic: the cat serves as a friendly mascot for the railway line and helps attract tourists to the local route. However, it is precisely this symbolic role that has revived the entire railway line after years of decline.
Several local leaders and company representatives were present to appoint Yontama the calico cat as the station master of Kishi Station. Photo: Kyodo News.
The story begins in 2007, when Wakayama Electric Railway appointed Tama – its first cat – as station master. Tama unexpectedly became a "national star," attracting tourists from all over Japan and many other countries to a previously little-known town. Thanks to "cat station master" Tama, the Kishigawa line not only avoided closure but also became a popular tourist destination.
The idea then spread, inspiring many railway companies in other provinces across the country to appoint "station masters" who are animals - from cats and dogs to even rabbits - to attract customers.
The cat Tama is estimated to have contributed 1.1 billion yen to the region's tourism industry. Photo: Maria Matsumoto.
After Tama passed away in 2015 from heart failure, the BBC estimated that the cat had contributed approximately 1.1 billion yen to the area's tourism industry. Nitama took over that role, continuing to maintain the station's appeal until her death late last year.
During Yontama's appointment ceremony on January 7th, Mitsunobu Kojima, President of Wakayama Electric Railway, emotionally stated: "Nitama has worked tirelessly and brought invaluable comfort. Nitama, please watch over Wakayama Electric Railway from heaven."
He also placed high hopes on Yontama – "the station master of a transitional era" – as Japan's local railway lines faced a host of new challenges.
Among the crowd attending the appointment ceremony was Chisako Asano (52 years old, Osaka), who has followed the journey of the "cat station masters" for nearly two decades. She shared, "I only hope that these special station masters will continue to protect the Kishigawa line, as they always have."