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Japan’s railways are once again proving that efficiency and cuteness can, in fact, coexist—especially when cats are involved.
Over at Kishi Station on the Wakayama Electric Railway’s Kishigawa Line, a calico cat named Yontama has officially been promoted to stationmaster, making her the third whiskered boss to hold the title. The announcement came complete with a formal ceremony, a shiny medal, and plenty of humans gathered to respectfully admire a cat who clearly knew she was the most important being in the room.
But even a cat stationmaster shouldn’t have to work alone.
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Enter Rokutama, the newest (and tiniest) member of the team. This young calico has been appointed as an apprentice stationmaster, meaning she’ll be learning the ropes—mainly by being adorable—while occasionally stepping in when her senior colleagues are off duty. It’s a demanding role that involves greeting passengers, posing for photos, and maintaining general station morale through strategic naps.
Yontama takes over following the passing of Nitama, the previous stationmaster, who died in November 2025. Nitama has since been given the well-earned title of honorary stationmaster, ensuring her legacy—and her paw prints—remain firmly embedded in the station’s history.
The whole idea of a cat stationmaster began back in 2007 with the legendary Tama, whose unexpected rise to railway stardom helped rescue the Kishigawa Line from financial trouble. Since then, the cats of Kishi Station have become full-blown celebrities, attracting fans from across Japan and beyond. The role may be mostly symbolic, but the smiles it creates are very real.
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And if all this talk of cats in uniforms has you itching to visit, the journey is half the fun. The Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line 1-day pass offers an easy way to explore this local line running through northern Wakayama Prefecture, conveniently close to Kansai International Airport. Along the way, passengers can ride the famously adorable cat-themed “Tama Train” or even hop aboard one of the line’s luxury trains. The final stop, Kishi Station, is a destination in itself, featuring a cat-shaped station building, a café, and a souvenir shop—because when your stationmaster is a cat, ordinary architecture simply won’t do.
All aboard… and don’t forget to say hello to the boss.
