By HowToTrip Editorial Team
From inside JR Wakayama Station, follow the cat footprints on the floor to Platform 9 to reach the Wakayama Electric Railway boarding area. Originally operated by Nankai Electric Railway, the Kishigawa Line of Wakayama Electric Railway had long been running at a deficit and was eventually transferred to another operator. As a result, Okayama Electric Tramway established Wakayama Electric Railway to take over operations. While its original mission was to serve local residents' transportation needs, in recent years it has gained fame thanks to Tama, the cat stationmaster, and has effectively transformed into a tourist-oriented railway. Wakayama Electric Railway further commissioned renowned train designer Eiji Mitooka to create three themed trains, adding a splash of color to the simple rural charm of eastern Wakayama.
The Tama Train passing through Ohike Park. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Team)
The most famous star of Wakayama Electric Railway is undoubtedly the cat stationmaster Tama. Most visitors come here just to catch a glimpse of her, and because of this, Japanese netizens have affectionately nicknamed her the “Wakayama Tourism Deity” — a feline deity believed to attract tourists to Wakayama. Her popularity speaks for itself. Tama’s mother, Miko, originally came from a pet shop in Okayama Prefecture. In the spring of 2006, Miko gave birth to kittens, one of which was Tama. The family of cats was taken in by the small Yasu Shop near Kishi Station and a small house was built next to the station for them to live in, as they were often seen around the station area. They quickly became beloved by both locals and passengers. However, in 2004, when Nankai Electric Railway was discussing transferring its operating rights to the newly established Wakayama Electric Railway due to ongoing losses, the land where the cat house stood was also slated to be reclaimed by the city government to build a parking lot — creating a major dilemma over the cats’ future.
Wakayama Electric Railway’s feline celebrity — Tama. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Team)
After the opening ceremony of Wakayama Electric Railway in 2006, the owner of Yasu Shop asked the president of Wakayama Electric Railway, Mitsunobu Kojima, if the cats could continue living at the station. Kojima agreed, seeing how much the cats contributed to the area’s charm and how much both locals and passengers adored them. Thus, Tama, Miko, and Chibi (another stray cat) took on the roles of stationmaster and assistant, guarding the unmanned station. As their story spread by word of mouth and even appeared on TV shows, they attracted a wave of visitors from all over Japan. The cats became bona fide “money cats,” and in 2009, Wakayama Electric Railway launched a Tama-themed train, sparking fresh interest in railway tourism.
The train features a specially designed picture book corner for families. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Team)
Boarding the Tama Train is sure to bring out the child in anyone. The exterior is covered in adorable images of Tama in various poses, while the interior is just as charming. In addition to numerous pictures 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 strawberries, cats, and dogs are gathered in one area for passengers to enjoy. It’s said that the Tama Train features a total of 101 images of Tama, and it’s always fun to see children earnestly trying to count them all.
It’s said that there are 101 Tama images of various sizes both inside and outside the Tama Train, each with unique expressions and poses. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Team)
The Kishigawa Line of Wakayama Electric Railway is a local railway that goes deep into the Kishi area. Along the way, you won’t find any grand mountains or rivers — just endless fields and houses. In the height of summer, as the train departs from Wakayama Station and gradually leaves the urban landscape behind, lush green rice paddies come into view. This is when you arrive at Iwamiya, the first stop on the Saigoku 33 Temple Pilgrimage. The Saigoku 33 Temple Pilgrimage refers to visiting 33 temples including Nenbutsuji Temple, Joruriji Temple, and Senjuji Temple. For those traveling along the Kisei Main Line, visiting these temples is a common activity.
The staff at Tama Café are very friendly. (Image provided by HowToTrip Editorial Team)
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