In a charming continuation of a beloved tradition, a Japanese railway station has officially welcomed its third feline 'stationmaster'. The calico cat, named Yontama, was appointed in a ceremony on 7 January 2026, taking up the symbolic mantle at Kishi Station in Wakayama prefecture.
A Purr-fect Ceremony for a New Era
The appointment ceremony was held by the Wakayama Electric Railway Co, which operates the Kishigawa Line. The company's president, Mitsunobu Kojima, placed a special stationmaster's medal around Yontama's neck, an act met with applause from local residents and dedicated fans who had travelled to witness the event. The railway also introduced Rokutama, a new cat who will now serve as a stationmaster-in-training, ensuring the feline lineage continues.
Yontama directly succeeds Nitama, the previous stationmaster who passed away in November 2025. In recognition of her service, Nitama has been posthumously awarded the title of honorary stationmaster. This unique role, while symbolic, has proven to be a remarkably successful tourism and marketing strategy for the once-struggling local line.
The Legacy of Feline Stationmasters
The phenomenon began in 2007 when the railway appointed a cat named Tama as its first official feline stationmaster. Tama's presence captured the nation's heart, drawing visitors from across Japan and internationally. Her success is credited with generating an estimated 1.1 billion Japanese Yen for the local area and single-handedly revitalising the railway's fortunes.
Following Tama's death from heart failure in 2015 at age 16, her apprentice, Nitama, took over. The model proved so effective that it inspired other regional rail operators across Japan to install animal stationmasters, including dogs and rabbits, as a way to attract tourists.
Hope for the Future of Local Railways
At the ceremony, President Kojima expressed his hopes for Yontama's tenure, stating the cat would lead "at a time when local railways are at a turning point of major changes." The sentiment was echoed by long-time supporters like Chisako Asano, a 52-year-old from Osaka, who told Kyodo News she hoped the cat stationmasters would "continue to watch over Kishigawa Line."
The story underscores a powerful lesson in community-led revival. What started as a quirky local initiative has become a sustainable model, using the appeal of animal mascots to secure the future of essential rural transport links. For now, all eyes are on Yontama as she begins her duties, promising to bring continued joy and visitor footfall to Kishi Station.
