The cat that became a stationmaster – and saved an entire railway line from bankruptcy

In 2007, the Japanese company Wakayama Electric Railway was on the verge of bankruptcy. The Kishigawa Line – a small provincial railway line in Wakayama Prefecture – was losing money every year. Authorities were considering shutting it down for good.

Then someone noticed the cat.

Tama was an ordinary calico cat who had lived around Kishi Station for years. Locals fed her, and she roamed the platform. No one paid her much attention.

Until the day the line's new manager – Mitsunobu Kobayashi – made an incredible decision: he appointed Tama as the official station master.

She got a hat. She got a badge. She got an official contract – her salary was cat food.

The result was astonishing.

Tourists started arriving from all over Japan – just to see the cat station master. The media covered the story worldwide. The line's revenue increased by over 1.1 billion yen in the first year alone.

Tama took her duties seriously. Every day she sat at the ticket counter, greeted passengers, and allowed photos. The Japanese adored her.

In 2015, Tama passed away at the age of 16. Her funeral was an official ceremony. Thousands of people came to bid her farewell.

Today, there is a shrine in her honor at Kishi Station. The trains are decorated with her image. And the line – which was supposed to be shut down – is still operating.

All because a cat decided to sit at the ticket counter.

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