The Second Cat Station Master of Wakayama, Nekomaru, Takes Office

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department Compilation and Report
 

Japan’s popular Wakayama Electric Railway cat station master “Tama” passed away in June due to illness and stepped down from her post, leaving many fans heartbroken. Now, the role of cat station master has been officially taken over by Tama’s former subordinate “Nekomaru.” The appointment ceremony was held on the 11th in front of Tama’s bronze statue.

In 2007, the calm and composed Tama officially took on the role of cat station master, guarding an unmanned station. Soon, this interesting news spread by word of mouth, and after being featured on TV programs, it attracted a large number of domestic and international tourists. Tama became a true money-bringing cat, boosting local tourism. In 2009, Wakayama Electric Railway even launched a train themed around Tama, sparking fresh interest in railway travel.

After Tama passed away in May this year, the 5-year-old female cat Nekomaru has now officially taken over as the station master of Kishi Station. On the 11th, she was carried in by the president of Wakayama Electric Railway for the inauguration ceremony, which attracted nearly 500 attendees. To commemorate the contributions Tama made to Kishi Station during her lifetime, the railway company specially built a shrine for Tama at Kishi Station. The opening ceremony of the shrine and Nekomaru’s appointment ceremony were held on the same day. Nekomaru received her appointment in front of Tama’s bronze statue and will henceforth report her work to Tama, who has now become a deity.