The calico cat was appointed stationmaster at the Kishi station in western Japan in 2007 and died early last week. Electric Railway president Misunobu Kojima said that the day before Tama’s death, she let out “a strong meow.”. The female tortoiseshell's popularity rose quickly following her 2007 appointment as the stationmaster of Kishi Station, which serves Japan's rural neighborhood of Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture. Today, the Wakayama Railway is an unexpected destination for cat lovers from all over the world! The calico cat was appointed stationmaster at the Kishi station in western Japan in 2007. The cat has been credited with saving the station from closure. Want to know more about Japan's beloved cat stationmaster? For many years, the train station was lightly traveled, causing officials to close it in 2004. The calico cat was appointed stationmaster at the Kishi station in western Japan in 2007. —Please make note of The Mary Sue’s general comment policy.—. Donning her custom-made stationmaster's cap, Tama quietly sat at the ticket gate welcoming and seeing off passengers. Email us. The station was almost shut down, but ended up destaffed instead. Destinations Food & Drink News Stay Video. Before Tama took on this official role, Kishi was struggling, and many employees were laid off. That was the spark of the idea that saved the town. A decade earlier, the train line had been making huge financial losses every year and in an attempt to turn things around, the staff adopted the cute stray calico cat that had been hanging around the local grocery store. tips@themarysue.com. Tama, the cute calico cat, is hailed as a hero who saved Kishi Station from financial ruin by bringing in visitors and acting as both station master and mascot. Tama, the cute calico cat, is hailed as a hero who saved Kishi Station from financial ruin by bringing in visitors and acting as both station master and mascot. In just five years of… Tama, originally a stray cat, was adopted by the station master at the time. Cat stationmaster Tama mourned in Japan and elevated as goddess. Just follow Tama’s foot pawsteps! Some owners even treated their cats like their human children with great food, the puffiest pillow, and the cutest-pretties clothes. The train car was designed by Eiji Mitooka (picture at left), an Industrial Designer and Illustrator from Okayama, Japan. Tama, a calico cat, was first appointed stationmaster at the Kishi station in western Japan in 2007. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. Tama (top left), the original cat stationmaster, passed away in June 2015 and is now known as ‘Honourable Eternal Stationmaster’. The star of this week’s article, Tama the cat, was the mascot of the Wakayama Electric Railway and held a special place in Japan, and the world’s, heart. Have a tip we should know? Tama, who had been a stray who hung around the station, was the first cat in the world to hold such a position. Wakayama governor Yoshinobu Nisaka said he was “filled with deep sorrow and appreciation” and praised Tama’s work in promoting tourism. Since 2007, Tama has served as Super Station Master of the station, which is the last stop on the Wakayama Electric Railway. This little cutie was appointed Station master and made the train station an instant tourist attraction. By Dominique Mosbergen. image caption Tama, once a stray cat, was given cat food in lieu of a salary. Her job was to greet passengers with her stationmaster hat. But cute as she was in her jaunty little stationmaster hat, Tama's biggest achievement was single-pawedly. In turn, contributing to the railway company (that had been struggling) and the local economy. Tama the cat took the world by storm, not only making the station famous, but also saved the railway from abandonment. According to the Associated Press, the Wakayama Electric Railway had been almost bankrupt at the time of Tama’s appointment, and the Kishi station had let go of all its staff. Tama (Japanese: たま, April 29, 1999 – June 22, 2015) was a female calico cat who gained fame for being a station master and operating officer at Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line in Kinokawa, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Tama is a calico cat (mikeneko, 三毛猫). Wakayama Electric Railway president Mitsunobu Kojima said he visited the cat the day before her death and she stood up and let out a strong meow. From JR Wakayama Station (~ 90min. In 2007 Tama was given the honorary title of stationmaster. Search. Tama, the hero of Kishi Station. Donning her custom-made stationmaster’s cap, Tama quietly … Tama Station (多磨駅, Tama-eki) is a railway station the Seibu Tamagawa Line in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan, operated by the private railway operator Seibu Railway. While serving as a station master, Tama gained fame for her adorable outlook and attracted plenty of tourists from home and abroad. The monument, featuring a bronze statue of Tama, was built beside an existing cat shrine, located beside the tree "where Tama used to see cherry blossoms and can see the Kishi Station … It wasn't long until Tama became wide-known, attracting tourists and world-famous. Tama, Japan's famous cat stationmaster, passed away Monday at a local animal hospital due to acute heart failure. But in 2007, the railway appointed Tama the calico cat to be the stationmaster. The cat who saved a Japanese rail line Not only did Tama’s sweet nature and photogenic features make her popular with commuters on the Kishigawa railway, but the ‘cat … The calico cat is the successor to Tama, the iconic feline stationmaster who saved the Wakayama Electric Railway from financial ruin. See more ideas about Tama, Cat training, Cats. Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all. 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