A cat named Yontama has been officially appointed as a stationmaster in Japan, part of a tradition that dates back nearly two decades.
Seeing stationmasters at work is nothing out of the ordinary. Unless, of course, they happen to be cats. That’s exactly the charm of Kishi Station.
On January 7, 2026, a nine-year-old calico cat named Yontama was appointed as the third feline stationmaster on the Wakayama Electric Railway’s Kishigawa Line.
According to Kyodo News, the tradition has been going strong for nearly two decades, and it’s done more than just melt hearts. The cats have helped boost tourism and even played a role in saving the once-struggling railway line.
Yontama clocks in as new stationmaster at Kishi Station
To officially inaugurate Yontama, a ceremony was also held in front of the station. During this, she received a letter of appointment as well as a medallion with her title engraved on it, presented by President Kojima.
Yontama isn’t the first feline to hold this position. It all began with a cat named Tama, who was given this status back in 2007. After passing away in 2012, Tama’s subordinate cat, Nitama, took over the role until November 2025.
After Nitama’s death, the role was essentially vacant for quite some time. That’s until Yontama came into the picture.
Despite being a new face at the Kishi Station, Yontama isn’t a complete newbie. She previously served as stationmaster at Idakiso Station, making her no stranger to railway duties.
She’s also not alone. The ceremony in front of Kishi Station also introduced Rokutama, who’s essentially the next Stationmaster Candidate.
According to the railway’s president, Rokutama is still technically in training, describing her as “akin to a student being sent into service before completing their studies.”
Hence, she’s referred to as a candidate. Only time will tell if she’ll also follow Yontama’s paw prints one day.
