Quick Take
- Tama boosted Kishigawa Line ridership by 17% and revenue by $9.2 million in her first year.
- Nitama took over as stationmaster after 50 days.
- Nitama died on November 20, 2025, at 15 years old, with 500 mourners at her funeral and the posthumous title Honorary Special Stationmaster.
- Keep reading to find out if Kishi Station appoints a third feline stationmaster after the 50-day mourning period.
Would you be more likely to ride a train if your train station was monitored by an adorable calico cat? I know I would, and I’m not alone. In 2007, the Wakayama Electric Railway Co. decided to appoint its first-ever kitty stationmaster, named Tama, at Kishi Station, part of the Kishigawa Line, in an effort to improve travel. Using the feline stationmaster for advertising was incredibly effective. But when Tama passed away in 2015, the Wakayama Electric Railway Co. knew they needed another cat to take her place. Their choice? Nitama, who had initially been adopted by Okayama Electric Tramway, then by Kishi Station, after someone found her hiding under a car in the rain. She had been just a few months old at the time.
Nitama, which translates to Tama II, ruled over Kishi Station for a decade.
Unfortunately, Nitama recently passed away in November 2025. As you would probably expect, the stationmaster cat’s death has absolutely devastated regular visitors to Kishi Station. The Wakayama Electric Railway Co. recently held an incredibly large funeral for Nitama that might just make you gasp when you realize how many people showed up. But to each attendee, there was no other option. This little cat had changed their lives for the better. She has left an indelible legacy at Kishi Station, and here’s why.
How Did Nitama Become Stationmaster?
When Nitama was first adopted by Kishi Station, she had the chance to learn directly from Tama. Mitsunobu Kojima, the president of Wakayama Electric Railway Co., told CNN that Tama was strict with her understudy, teaching Nitama the ways of the station. Tama had been incredibly profitable for Kishigawa Line, improving ridership by 17% and raising USD$9.2 million in revenue in just her first year alone.
50 days after Tama’s death, Nitama took over as stationmaster. You might be wondering: what type of skills would a cat need to be a stationmaster? To succeed in her role, Mitsunobu shared that Nitama had to be friendly and outgoing with people, have a relaxed attitude, and (perhaps most importantly) be willing to wear small, yet adorable, hats.
Beyond her funny hats, Nitama was also known for her beautiful, long, and soft calico coat.
Mitsunobu liked to joke that Nitama had graduated from Cat Stationmaster Training School, which really just meant that she had the right skills for the job.
What Did Nitama Do As Stationmaster?
As Mitsunobu shares, Nitama provided lots of love and comfort to the people she saw every day. Mostly, Nitama got to sleep, interact with customers, and be part of the railway’s advertising. She liked to hang out in different areas of Kishi Station. If you ever got the chance to visit the station, you’d likely see Nitama working in her glass “cubicle,” as well as a shrine for Tama, a cafe, and a TAMA museum. People loved spending time at the station just hanging out with Nitama and watching her “work.”
How Did Nitama Die?
After ten years on the job, Nitama developed an unknown illness. She lost her appetite in October 2025 and sometimes struggled to eat. The fifteen-year-old cat even paused her stationmaster duties in early November 2025 to give her time to rest. Since domestic cats usually live to be between 12-16 years old, Nitama was on the older side.
Unfortunately, Nitama never recovered from her illness. She passed away peacefully on November 20, 2025.
Nitama’s Legacy
Similar to Tama, Nitama is also leaving a love-filled legacy behind. Many people absolutely adored their fluffy feline friend, making her loss especially difficult. In celebration and remembrance of Nitama’s life, over 500 mourners visited Kishi Station on December 13, 2025, for the cat’s funeral.
During her funeral, Nitama was posthumously awarded the title “Honorary Special Stationmaster.” People also left flowers and cat food on altars around the station in her memory, and prayed for Nitama’s safe travels into the afterlife.
Nitama will be missed by everyone lucky enough to meet her friendly, funny presence. But now another question remains: After the 50-day mourning period, will Kishi Station implement yet a third feline stationmaster? We’ll be waiting to see.
