We arranged for this day’s itinerary in the morning to enjoy cherry blossoms at Wakayama Castle, and in the afternoon we took the Wakayama Electric Railway’s Kishigawa Line to visit the stationmaster of Xiaotama. This way, whether it is on the train or inside and outside of Kishi Station, you will see Xiaoyu’s cute figure. Come and share the traffic Ways and attractions introduction, let's go!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★Highly recommended
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line, Kishi Station
Kishi Station
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2026-05-22 update
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〒640-0413 Kobe, Kishikawa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture Nokawa City
✨ Book Now Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line, Kishi Station Related itinerary and tickets
How to get there: How to transfer to Kishi Line from Kyoto to Wakayama?
Kyoto Station → Take JR Osaka Loop Line (Normal Train) → Arrive at Tennoji Station, then transfer to JR Hanwa Line (Normal Train) → Arrive at Wakayama Station → Purchase a one-day ticket for Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line at Platform 9 and get on the train → Arrive at Guizhi Station.
Thanks to my companions, Xiao V and Meiko, for inquiring about transportation information. When I rearranged it, I felt that the most difficult way to travel to Japan is the transportation between the attractions and the attractions. No matter how the fare is the cheapest and the time is the least, I have to take care of it. Measure the time to visit the scenic spots, and once again applaud to fellow colleagues. (If you want to sprint Wakayama's two major attractions in one day, you can refer to this method of transportation.)
Remember to buy a one-day ticket when you travel to and from Kishi Station in Wakayama.
There are detailed Wakayama Electric Railway routes and fares at the station. The one-way fare from Wakayama Station to Kishi Station is 360 yuan, and the one-day ticket is 650 yen (children 350 yen).In addition, Xiaoyu Station Master performs duties from 9:00 to 17:00 every Monday to Saturday, and is closed on Sundays. You must also pay attention to your itinerary so that you will not go for nothing. ^^
▲ Guizhi Station not only has Xiaoyu Station Master (たま), but in February 2012.2, he added his subordinate "Nitamama" (二代玉) to assist in the execution of duties.▲ Ticket prices, stationmaster duties and related information.▲ Each stop and fare from Wakayama Station to Kishi Station.▲ The one-day ticket is scraped off by the station staff to show the year, month, and day of boarding.▲ The above is a note of our travel time, which is very special.
The origin of Xiaoyu's webmaster?
The Wakayama Electric Railway has been in poor operating conditions for a long time, and even cancelled the station staff on the Kishikawa Line in April 2006 to save labor costs, and appointed employees from shops near the station as station masters.Originally selected Toshiko Koyama, the person in charge of the Oyama shop next to Kishi Station, as the station master. The Oyama shop had adopted Xiaoyu and fed other stray cats near the station.
In January of the following year, the railway company decided to formally nominate Xiaoyu as the station master of Guizhi Station.Wearing a stationmaster hat to perform her duties, her main responsibility is to greet the passengers, and she also enjoys cat food for the entire year. This job is a tenure.After the stationmaster Xiaoyu was on duty, the media rushed to report that it brought a considerable tourist crowd to the Guizhichuan line and increased the original passenger capacity by 1% compared to the previous year. So in 10, the railway company let the painted Xiaoyu stationmaster train opened to traffic. With its cute figure, it extends to peripheral products, attractions introduction manuals, etc., and finally turned into profit. [The above information is fromVichypedia]
※ Inside and outside of Kodama Tram on Guizhichuan Line
▲Walking to platform 9 of Wakayama Station, there are not only cat footprints in the stairwell, but also a group photo of various scenic spots with Xiaoyu on the side.▲ Xiaoyu tram is here!Cute painted patterns inside and out! (Bring the kids here, they will like it.)▲ From Wakayama Station to Kishi Station, this road becomes unmanned and controlled entirely by machines.▲ I remember that there are three carriages, all with the design of the stationmaster Xiaoyu.▲ The trip time is about 30 minutes. In addition to enjoying the scenery along the way, you can also see their ingenuity, turning the cat's figure into such a cute pattern.
Kishi Station is divided into inside and outside the station, cafes, Koyama shop, and Xiaodama station chief on duty
After the tram arrived, I saw a beautiful and full blooming cherry tree on the platform, which was very beautiful.A group of us first walked into the station to visit. The hardware environment contains many photos of Xiaoyu's webmaster, and merchandise with painted patterns. In one of the cabinets, there are many commendation certificates from Xiaoyu's webmaster, mainly for the first anniversary of the appointment of Xiaoyu's webmaster. The president of the railway company and the mayor of Wakayama announced that she was promoted to the "super stationmaster" with her uniform inside!
The café on the side can accommodate about 30 customers. The price of coffee available ranges from 300 to 450 yen. When arriving at Kishi Station and taking the next flight from Kishi Station back to Wakayama, you can meet for one hour. In fact, you can also stay here. Take a break, all the furnishings inside are also based on the painted image of Xiaoyu.The small mountain shop on the left has all been replaced by Xiaoyu's merchandise. Since souvenirs can be stamped at the door and on the tram, I bought a set of four Xiaoyu postcards for spring, summer, autumn and winter, and stamped this stop with a commemorative medal. ^^
In addition to the cherry blossom trees just mentioned, there are three wooden torii gates and small wooden niches on the platform of the station. I saw that the names engraved on them are like the names of cats, and there are foods on them. I feel that they are also guarding Kishi Station. Everything that comes and goes is a calm mood.After staying for an hour, the Strawberry Tram on the return journey has slowly arrived. We reluctantly saw the stationmaster Xiaoyu wake up from sleep, saying hello, "Stationmaster Xiaoyu, we are here to see you, very happy!", waved and stepped on. On the journey back.
※ List of inside and outside of Kishi Station
▲ Station passage.▲ Every one of Xiaoyu’s photos is so cute!▲ On the afternoon of April day, the stationmaster Xiaoyu slept well. We waited for nearly an hour, and she finally looked at us. XD▲ As the stationmaster Xiaoyu has increased the number of tourists and tram passengers in the entire area, he has won many commendations.▲ Xiaoyu's heroic posture!▲ These photos are so cute, and people who admire the photos can seize the moment.▲ There will be various figures of Xiaoyu on duty from the inside to the outside of the station.▲ A view of Xiaoyu Coffee Shop.▲ Take the photo with the consent of the service staff. Share the decorations with everyone. You can come here for a coffee break.▲ Don't forget to cover the medallion at the door!▲ It is forbidden to take pictures in the store, but there are many Xiaoyu's peripheral products, which can be bought back as souvenirs.▲ This cherry tree is full of flowers, and there are flowers and rain in the wind, which is so beautiful.▲ Kyoto in April is not like Wuling Farm in February with high terrain and mountain breeze. It is mostly quietly open, waiting for travelers to take pictures of the most beautiful figure of this season.▲ The younger sister took a group photo with the driver of the Strawberry Tram.For one trip, only one trip will be machine-driven, and the other trip will have a driver.▲ Bye bye Guizhi station, bye bye Xiaoyu station master.▲ The stamps on the stations and trains represent the marks on the journey. When you come to Japan, you may wish to prepare a blank booklet to collect souvenirs.
Kishi Station on the Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishigawa Line is truly a sacred place for Japan's most adorable "cat stationmaster"! Although its location is a bit remote, in Kishigawa-cho, Kinokawa City, Wakayama Prefecture, not very close to Osaka, most people come here specifically to see the legendary cat stationmaster. The first stationmaster, "Tama" (a calico cat), served as stationmaster from 2007, revitalizing the entire Kishigawa Line and making it a nationally renowned tourist attraction. The second stationmaster, "Nitama" (also known as Nidai Tamama), took over in 2015, continuing to adorably "go to work" until her passing on November 20, 2025, at the age of 15. Her last words, "Nya!" touched countless fans. Her funeral was held on December 13, with about 500 fans attending to bid her farewell. She was posthumously awarded the title of "Honorary Special Stationmaster." Unfortunately, when you visited, Nitama had just returned to Cat Planet (heaven) shortly after her photoshoot, so you missed the chance to see her in person… But this regret also proves how much healing she brought to so many people! There are still memorial photos, a bronze statue, and related displays of her at the station, so you can still feel that warmth and legacy here. In January 2026, the third-generation "Yontama" (a calico cat, 9 years old) officially became the stationmaster of Takashi Station, and "Rokutama" also appeared as a candidate, continuing the cat family's growth! Currently, several cats take turns on duty at the station; they are friendly and adorable, and occasionally sunbathe and act cute in the stationmaster's office or on the platform, making it well worth a visit. Although it's remote, it…KlookLocal tours departing from Osaka are incredibly convenient! Many day tours include pick-up and drop-off, Kishi Station, and visits to Kuroshio Market or Shirahama. Guided tours ensure you don't have to worry about transfers, making them perfect for those who don't want to plan their own journeys. Regarding fares, a one-way trip on the Wakayama Electric Railway from JR Wakayama Station to Kishi Station costs approximately 410 yen (adults), while a one-day pass at 800 yen is more economical. Compared to taking the JR train the entire way (from Osaka to Wakayama and then transferring, the total cost could easily exceed 1000 yen plus the hassle of transfers), joining a tour or buying a one-day pass is significantly cheaper and less strenuous. From Osaka's Namba or Tennoji areas, tour groups usually arrange direct buses or shuttles, saving time and effort. Kishi Station itself is quite unique: the station building was designed by Ruiji Mitooka, featuring a painted "Tama Electric Train" theme. The platforms have cat statues, and souvenir shops sell cat-themed stationmaster amulets, T-shirts, keychains, etc. There are also small parks and cafes nearby. Although it's a small, rural station, the atmosphere is warm and inviting; a visit feels like a pilgrimage. I recommend going early to avoid the crowds, taking photos of the stationmaster's office, buying a goshuin (the cat version is super cute), and experiencing the miracle of "cats healing humans." Even if you don't see the second-generation jewel, a respectful visit is still very moving. Next time you come, maybe you'll even meet the third-generation Yontama and hear him greet you with a "Nya!" Highly recommended for all cat lovers—Kishi Station, a forever cat paradise!
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alstondc
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishigawa Line is famous for its "Tama Cat Stationmaster," but sadly, the second-generation Tama Cat passed away recently, so I didn't get to see him this time. To board the Kishigawa Line, get off at Wakayama Station and take the underground passage to Platform 8. Many people can't find the entrance on the surface platform; you have to go down to the underground passage to find it. There are no elevators or escalators in the underground passage, so if you have luggage or a cart, you'll have to carry it! The last station on the Kishigawa Line is Kishi Station, where there are shops selling Tama Cat stationmaster merchandise. The station itself is also cat-shaped; you have to cross the street to get a full view. If you want to photograph the Tama Daimyojin Shrine, don't leave the station after getting off the train; you'll see the torii gate near the exit. Take a picture there before leaving the station. I recommend buying a one-day pass. Even just traveling from Wakayama Station to Kishi Station and back is worthwhile. If you have enough time, I suggest getting off at several stations along the way to explore the area, as there are many shrines to visit nearby.
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Daiyu Hayashi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Kishi Station, the terminus of the Wakayama Electric Railway's Kishigawa Line, is famous for its unique cat-shaped architecture. The station once faced closure due to lack of staff, but its fame soared after a cat named "Tama" was appointed as its stationmaster. The station houses the "Tama Daimyojin" shrine, commemorating its first cat stationmaster.
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Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line, Kishi Station
Anya has been engaged in online marketing, community management and tourism promotion services for more than 10 years. She has worked for Yahoo!, Lion Travel, Pixnet and other companies. She is good at writing about food experiences and shopping sharing in various places. She also likes photography and recording what she sees during her travels. smell.
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Kyoto is the city with the most traditional Japanese style, and it is also the first choice for viewing cherry blossoms and maple leaves. There are not only a large number of accommodation options, but also a variety of types. There are many choices from luxury hotels to affordable business travel, and there are also various unique Kyoto machiya and apartment hotels. brand. ・Star hotels: Many international luxury brands have settled in, and most of them combine the cultural characteristics of Kyoto to create an accommodation atmosphere that integrates Kyoto characteristics｜Five-star luxury hotel ・Service apartment: Kyomachiya has a unique home atmosphere, but the sound insulation is not good and the shortcomings of single bathroom, service apartment will be a better choice｜Families Preferred Serviced Apartments ・Business chain: The number of business hotels around Kyoto Station is the largest, followed by the Shijo Karasuma Station area where the railway lines intersect｜Affordable chain business hotel ・Youth hostels: Youth hostels and capsule hotels are mostly gathered along the Kyoto subway lines, with the most stations such as Sanjo Keihan and Shijo｜Cheap and Budget Youth Hostel
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