A Must-Ride for Cat Lovers: The Tama Train on Wakayama Electric Railway in Japan

The most famous star of Wakayama Electric Railway is undoubtedly Tama, the cat stationmaster. Almost everyone who comes here does so to catch a glimpse of her, and as a result, Japanese netizens have nicknamed her “The Great God of Wakayama Tourism,” referring to her as a feline deity that draws visitors to the region. Her popularity speaks volumes. Tama’s mother, Miko, used to work as a station cat at another station before being transferred to Kishi Station several years ago. In the early days, she gave birth to Tama among other kittens. Among them, only Tama remained. Tama, along with Miko and another stray cat named Chibi, was taken in by the small Yamashita Shop near Kishi Station, where a small house was built for the cats near the station. The locals and passengers alike grew very fond of them. However, in 2004, when Nankai Electric Railway was discussing transferring operational rights to the newly established Wakayama Electric Railway due to ongoing losses, the plot of land where the cats’ house stood was also slated to be taken over by the city government to build a parking lot, creating uncertainty about the cats’ future.

After the opening ceremony of Wakayama Electric Railway in 2006, the owner of Yamashita Shop asked the president of Wakayama Electric Railway, Mitsunobu Kojima, if the cats could continue living at the station. Kojima agreed, recognizing their appeal to tourists. The local residents and passengers were equally supportive, and soon after, Tama was appointed as the stationmaster, with Miko and Chibi taking on assistant roles, safeguarding the unstaffed station. As stories about the cats spread by word of mouth and appeared on TV programs, they attracted large numbers of visitors from across Japan. The cats became bona fide “mascots” that brought in tourism revenue, and in 2009, Wakayama Electric Railway launched a Tama-themed train, sparking fresh interest in railway travel.

Boarding the Tama Train is sure to bring out the child in anyone. The exterior of the train is adorned with adorable images of Tama in various poses, while the interior is just as charming. In addition to numerous depictions of Tama, the wooden interiors create a cozy atmosphere, and there’s even a special picture book corner designed for families. Books related to local specialties like strawberries, cats, and dogs are gathered in one area for passengers to enjoy. It’s said there are 101 images of Tama throughout the train, and children can often be spotted eagerly counting them—an amusing sight.

The Kishigawa Line of Wakayama Electric Railway is a local railway that goes deep into the Kishi area. Along the route, there are no grand mountains or vast waters—just endless fields of farmland and houses. In the height of summer, as the train departs from Wakayama Station and gradually moves away from the urban scenery, the lush green rice paddies come into view. This marks the first stop of the Saigoku 33 Temple Pilgrimage: Imaichi Station. The Saigoku 33 Temple Pilgrimage refers to visiting 33 sacred temples including “Nenbutsuji Temple,” “Senjuji Temple,” and “Kokubunji Temple.” The area around Kishi Station is one of the key locations for pilgrims traveling along the ancient Saigoku pilgrimage route.