Kishi Station, railway station in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
Kishi Station is a small railway stop on the Kishigawa Line in Wakayama, distinguished by its distinctive cat-face-shaped building design. It features a single platform, a cypress bark roof, colorful stained-glass windows, and houses a cafe along with a gift shop selling local and cat-themed souvenirs.
The station opened in 1933 as a simple single-track stop with minimal passenger traffic. It was largely unknown until 2007, when a calico cat named Tama was appointed stationmaster, drawing international attention and helping to stabilize the struggling local rail line.
The station serves as a gathering point where the community connects through its cat stationmasters, who have become symbols of local pride. Visitors can experience how these animals have become woven into the town's daily life, representing hope and continuity for a small rural place.
The station is reachable from Wakayama in about 90 minutes by train; purchase tickets at larger stations since smaller stops are unstaffed. The cat stationmaster works Friday through Tuesday from late morning until late afternoon, and the station is within walking distance of local farms where you can pick fresh strawberries and oranges.
Tama, the original stationmaster cat, helped save the struggling rail line by attracting thousands of visitors, proving that a small animal could make a real difference. Her legacy continues through successor cats who maintain this tradition of welcoming travelers from around the world.
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