Article by Viory
Three feline stationmasters took centre stage on Sunday as Wakayama Electric Railway celebrated Japan’s annual Cat Day, drawing crowds of animal lovers to Kishi Station in Kinokawa.
Footage shows Yontama, the current stationmaster of Kishi Station; Gotama, the stationmaster at Idakiso Station; and Rokutama, appointed as a stationmaster candidate last month, being presented to the public during a ceremony, as visitors snapped photos.
“Good morning, meow! Today is a fun, fun, meow-meow day. We’re blessed with beautiful weather, and all three stationmasters are here today!” said Mitsunobu Kojima, president of Wakayama Electric Railway, holding one of the stationmasters in his hands.
The tradition began in 2007 with Tama, a stray cat who lived near Kishi Station when the local Kishigawa Line was facing closure due to financial difficulties. According to railway staff, locals were searching for ways to keep the struggling line running when Tama was informally adopted as stationmaster.
“We value compassion, so we welcomed Tama as the official stationmaster as a way to allow her to stay at the station. That’s how it all began,” remarked Takezoe, a staff member of Wakayama Electric Railway.
Tama’s popularity helped revive the railway, transforming the once-struggling line into a tourist attraction. “Originally, this line was not meant to attract so many tourists. I have been working for this railway company for almost 20 years, and I am still amazed,” Takezoe added.
“Yeah, so cute. It feels like they’ve reached number six, and I’m looking forward to seeing if it continues with stationmaster’s number seven and eight,” remarked Yoshimoto, a local visitor.
A traveller from the US, Erin, shared, “We love the cats! We made a special trip out here just to see the station and just to see the stationmaster cats. It has been a wonderful experience. They are so cute.”
The Wakayama Electric Railway operates the 14-kilometre Kishigawa Line connecting Wakayama City and Kinokawa. Since Tama’s appointment, the line has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors annually from all over the world.
Article by Viory
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