Station Master Cat! Wakayama walk & train to Kishi (Photo Tour) (4K)

Perhaps one of the most “only in Japan” things was when the rural station of Kishi appointed a cat, Tama, to be its station master, in an attempt to gain popularity and boost passenger numbers. It worked, and now the descendants of Tama continue the work of greeting visitors, and gives people more of a reason to ride the single Wakayama Electric Railway line from the central station. And regardless how you feel about the feline staff, the town is charming to visit, and the shrine upstream a peaceful place for contemplation. You can also rent bicycles, and return them at a number of other places around the region, including the JR station downstream to the north – I was sorely tempted, but not really prepared for jumping in the saddle today.

Before all of that, though, I had finished my previous walk at the castle, and, rather than returning the way I came, continued through the back streets to the riverside walkway, and returned via the link rail line from Wakayamashi station.

Recorded: 23 October 2025, 10.00
Video: Samsung S22
Stills: Nikon D7200, Tamron 16-300mm / Samsung S22
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#traveljapan #wakayama #kishistation

00:00 Wakayama Castle
00:30 Momijidani Teien Garden
01:35 City Kaikanhodo Bridge
01:55 Zaimoku Bridge
02:35 Kinokawa River walk
03:46 Kasai Bridge
04:29 Nankai train crossing
05:05 Wakayama Civic Library
05:30 Wakayama Station
06:00 Chuggington Train
06:45 Cat themed posters
07:20 Kishi Station
08:25 Okuninushi Shrine
09:00 Shinmoroi Bridge
09:45 Ichigo (strawberry) train
10:00 JR line, crossing Kinokawa
11:20 Thank you for watching!