is a passenger railway station located in the city of Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, operated by the private railway company Wakayama Electric Railway.
Kishi Station was known for Tama the stationmaster cat, who held the official position of "Super Station Master""Tama the station cat brings passengers to Kishikawa railway line." Times Online. May 27, 2008.Lah, Kyung. "Cat in hat makes $10 million for town." CNN. October 29, 2008. and served as the station's mascot until her death in June 2015.
Lines Kishi Station is a terminal station of the Kishigawa Line, and is located 14.3 kilometers from the opposing terminus of the line at Wakayama Station.
Station layout The station consists of one deadheaded side platform serving a single bi-directional track.
Since Tama's appointment as station master in 2007, the station has consistently been staffed and managed by a cat. She has since been succeeded by Nitama in 2015, and Yontama since 2026.
Since renovation, the station is housed in a cat-face-shaped building, with a Tama-theme cafe, with cat theme chairs and cakes. There is a souvenir shop with a wide range of stationery (pens, staplers and others) and Kishi Station uniforms. The Wakayama Electric Railway operates three cat-themed trains: Strawberry, Tama, and Toy. The feline stationmaster works on Friday–Tuesday (10am–4pm) and is off duty on Wednesday and Thursday. Adjacent stations
History Kishi Station opened on August 18, 1933 as part of the Kishigawa Line, following the line's extension from Idakiso Station.
On April 1, 2006, Nankai Electric Railway transferred operatorship of the Kishi Station over to the Wakayama Electric Railway Company, the latter of which would eventually de-staff the station to cut costs. On January 5th of the following year, Tama, a female calico cat which had resided in the station, was appointed stationmaster and mascot. Two of her fellow cats, Chibi and Miiko, were appointed assistant stationmasters.
On April 20, 2008, a "stationmaster's office" for Tama was installed as part of a series of renovations.
On February 1, 2010, the Kishi Station building was closed and demolished. Construction began on a new station facility in March, with the completion of a new cat-themed complex known as the "Tama Museum".
On January 5, 2012 — coinciding with her 5th work anniversary — Tama was promoted to "Super Station Master" as a tribute to her efforts in attracting customers and "revitalizing the Wakayama Electric Railway". The same day, a calico cat named Nitama was appointed assistant stationmaster.
Tama passed away on June 22, 2015; a funeral was held 5 days later. On August 11, Nitama would succeed Tama to become the next Station Master. On January 5, 2018, Nitama was promoted to "manager stationmaster". Yontama, another calico cat, took on the role of acting stationmaster at Kishi Station on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
On August 21, 2021, Nitama was awarded the title of "Wakayama Prefecture Knight".
Following Nitama's death in November 2025, Yontama was inaugurated as the third stationmaster of Kishi Station in January 2026.
Passenger statistics The Kishi Station is the second busiest station on the Kishigawa Line, after the Wakayama Station. Average riders per day YearRidership20001,74420011,70420021,48320031,48020041,39720051,35820061,00820071,01120081,34920091,34120101,34220111,34520121,34020131,42720141,41520151,50720161,42520171,39720181,34220191,27620206532021668202268520237152024759
Gallery
Surrounding locations Kinokawa City Nakatakashi Elementary School
See also List of railway stations in Japan
References
External links
Kishi Station timetable