Kishi Station (Wakayama)

The current Kishi Station
The old Kishi Station

Kishi Station (貴志駅 Kishi-eki) is a train station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It is a station along the Kishigawa Line of the Wakayama Electric Railway.

Kishi Station is known for Tama the Station Cat, a female cat which became the mascot for the station. The cat holds the official position as Super Station Master.[1][2]

Since renovation the station is housed in a cat-shaped building, along with a Tama-themed cafe, with cat themed chairs and cakes. As well as a souvenir shop with a wide range of stationery, such as pens, staplers and others such as Kishi Station uniforms. The Wakayama Electric Railway also operates three cat themed trains: Strawberry Train, Tama Train and Toy Train.[3]

History

In 2010, Tama was promoted. She is now a corporate executive at the Wakayama Railway, introduced in that position on the company's web site in January. The rise in station use is credited to Tama.

On February 1, 2010, the existing Kishi Station building was closed and demolished. Construction began on a new station facility in March, with the cat-themed new complex opened in July.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Tama the station cat brings passengers to Kishikawa railway line." Times Online. May 27, 2008.
  2. ↑ Lah, Kyung. "Cat in hat makes $10 million for town." CNN. October 29, 2008.
  3. ↑ Wong, Hiufu (24 May 2013). "The cat that saved a Japanese train station: Meet Tama, Japan's cutest stationmaster, and her adorable cat-shaped station home". CNN Travel. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  4. ↑ http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20100104p2a00m0na025000c.html

Coordinates: 34°12′35″N 135°18′43″E / 34.2096°N 135.3120°E