Cats in Wakayama, Japan

Riding the Kishigawa Line in Wakayama is already a cool local experience, but what really makes it special are the cats who “work” as stationmasters 🐱🚉
These stations became famous after Tama, the original cat stationmaster, captured hearts across Japan and around the world. Even after her passing, the tradition continues with new feline stationmasters welcoming visitors, napping on duty, and posing for photos like true professionals.

Each stop feels calm, rural, and very different from big-city Japan. The stations are small, charming, and full of character, and the cats have become symbols of the community, helping bring visitors to a quiet countryside railway that might otherwise be overlooked.

If you’re traveling outside Osaka, Kyoto, or Tokyo, Wakayama is a perfect reminder that Japan’s magic is often found in the little things — local trains, sleepy stations, and cats doing their very important jobs. This is one of those places that feels wholesome, weird, and uniquely Japanese all at once.

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