Kishi Station (Osaka)

Kishi Station is a railway station on the Kishigawa Line, operated by Wakayama Electric Railway, in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It is most famous for having a cat stationmaster, starting with Tama in 2007.

Overview

The station is a small, rural station that gained international attention due to the employment of a cat as its stationmaster. This initiative was implemented to revitalize the struggling Kishigawa Line and attract tourism. The station building itself was renovated to resemble a cat's face, further enhancing its appeal.

History

The Kishigawa Line was formerly part of the Nankai Electric Railway system. However, due to financial difficulties, Nankai withdrew from the line in 2006. Wakayama Electric Railway took over operations in 2006, and the introduction of Tama as stationmaster in January 2007 proved to be a pivotal moment. Following Tama's death in 2015, Nitama, Tama's apprentice, became the stationmaster. In 2023, Yontama became the assistant stationmaster.

Station Structure

Kishi Station has a single platform serving a single track. The station building houses a small waiting area and a gift shop selling cat-themed merchandise. The cat stationmaster typically resides in a designated enclosure within the station building.

Significance

Kishi Station serves as a symbol of successful rural revitalization through innovative tourism initiatives. The cat stationmasters have significantly increased ridership and brought economic benefits to the local community. The station's popularity has also raised awareness of the challenges faced by regional railway lines in Japan.