Nitama succeeded Tama, the previous feline stationmaster, who was credited with rescuing Wakayama Electric Railway Co. from financial difficulties, before dying at age 16 in June 2015. But the station has not been left without a station master. Her image was used everywhere, even on the cat-shaped building and a cat train! Nitama has taken over the reigns as Stationmaster cat at Kishi station. Nitama who has the reputation of being a 'beauty cat', proved all her critics wrong and aced her training at Cat Stationmaster Training School ( apparently such a thing really exists) and filled Tama's shoes. Nitama, Japan's new Cat Stationmaster. And of course, the Crazy Cat Podcast is also available on iTunes, playerFM, Soundcloud, and Podbay. Nitama, who assumed the position of manager-stationmaster at Kishi Station on August 11, 2015, was born in 2010 in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture. Tama works from Tuesday to Thursday; Nitama substitutes for Tama on weekends. Wakayama Electric Railway has found a fitting feline to replace Tama, the late Kishi Station mascot and stationmaster. ldyb2. Share. After all, she graduated from Cat Stationmaster Training School where she learned to wear the famous cap and badge. Nitama the Cat Replaces is New Station Master at Kishi Station. 22K 1,677 11. So even though I didn't get to go on the cat themed train (the pictures inside look amazing) I did get to take some photos of the outside of the cat, toy and strawberry train :) We also … Cat working hours are a very agreeable 10 a.m.-4p.m. The cat held the official position as Super Station Master. Railway spokesperson Hitofumi Ino was quoted by CNN on Monday as saying that Nitama “doesn’t dislike wearing a hat” and is, in fact, a “beauty cat” in comparison to her predecessor. Nitama is a cat. 5 spring celebrations from around the world. Tama’s apprentice Nitama was named the new Station Master and took over all official duties. And aside from being aesthetically pleasing, she is also a seasoned stationmaster, having held the position at Idakiso Station, just down the line from Kishi Station, before working alongside Tama in 2012. The train station is not like any other - it’s overseen by a famous Station Master cat! Nitama is only 5 years old, but she's already had quite the career. She had her own office with a litter box and she was paid in cat food. Jun 29, 2017 - Wakayama Electric Railway Co. recently said goodbye to their beloved Tama, the adorable calico cat who served as stationmaster of Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan since 2007. The railway also unveiled Tama Shrine, a Shinto shrine that enshrines Tama as a deity protecting the once money-losing Kishigawa Line. Although Tama passed away a few years ago, her subordinates Nitama and Yontama now run things in her steed. It was a sad day for cat lovers and train fans alike when Tama, the cute calico that had served as stationmaster of Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture since 2007, recently passed away. Since renovation, the station is housed in a cat-face-shaped building, with a Tama-theme cafe, with cat theme chairs and cakes. Nitama, a stationmaster cat at Kishi Station in the western Japan prefecture of Wakayama, receives a birthday cake during a ceremony to celebrate her 7th birthday at the station on March, 3, 2017. Like her predecessor, who died in June, Nitama is a calico. There's also a cat stationmaster apprentice, Nitama, who shoulders some responsibilities for Tama. As a reward, she was promoted to Operating Officer of Wakayama Electric. Visitors went out of their way to travel to the little station from all over Japan - and all over the world - to meet and have their photo taken with the cap and badge-wearing calico. According to the Telegraph, "An exhaustive search and thorough selection process followed the June passing of the former cat in charge, the beloved Tama, who had been in the role since 2007, and now the station has found her replacement, Nitama.. Nitama learned from Tama and was the receptionist with the Okayama Electric Tramway and filled in for Tama at Kishi Station. 22K 1,677 11. The Shinto religion, which is the largest religion in Japan, has many gods including animals, and cats are considered spiritual animals. Kishi StationThe station has appointed a new cat as her successor, hoping … She also worked as deputy stationmaster at Kishi station when Tama -- who has since been elevated to the status of goddess -- was still running the place. Nitama The Cat Named Stationmaster At Japan’s Kishi StationThe calico cat is the successor to Tama, the iconic feline stationmaster who saved the Wakayama Electric Railway from financial ruin.Dominique MosbergenSenior Writer, The Huffington Post08/26/2015The newly appointed stationmaster at a rural railway station in Japan has some pretty big shoes to fill. According to the BBC, Tama brought in an estimated $9,000,000 to the local economy and saved the station. And talking about the boss, the Kishi Station in Wakayama has its own cat boss, Tama, who gets special treat from her fans. The Telegraph notes that Nitama was born in Okayama City before being adopted by the railway, after being found under a car on a rainy day. By Daily Mail Reporter. It was a sad day for cat lovers and train fans alike when Tama, the cute calico that had served as stationmaster of Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture since 2007, recently passed away.Heartbroken as Tama’s many supporters were, though, life goes on, and Wakayama Electric Railway has announced that Kishi now has a new feline stationmaster, as Tama’s understudy, Nitama, has … The 14-kilometre Kishigawa Line from Wakayama City to Kishi Station was never a busy route and was set to close down in 2004. This calico cat has some big pawprints to fill, but she’s ready for the job. Tama the cat took the world by storm, not only making the station famous, but also saved the railway from abandonment. cybergata: “ Nitama, successor of Tama, has been sworn in as stationmaster cat at Kishi train station in Japan Photos: Ryobi Group ” Businesssssssssss Caaaaaat!!! After her passing, her apprentice, Nitama, became the stationmaster of Kishi Station. Nitama, the cat stationmaster at Kishi Station in Wakayama, Japan is not your regular railway employee. Tama, Japan's famous cat stationmaster, passed away Monday at a local animal hospital due to acute heart failure. Jun 29, 2017 - Wakayama Electric Railway Co. recently said goodbye to their beloved Tama, the adorable calico cat who served as stationmaster of Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan since 2007. cybergata: “ Nitama, successor of Tama, has been sworn in as stationmaster cat at Kishi train station in Japan Photos: Ryobi Group ” Businesssssssssss Caaaaaat!!! And aside from being aesthetically pleasing, she is also a seasoned stationmaster, having held the position at Idakiso Station, just down the line from Kishi Station, before working alongside Tama in 2012. Many people joined us as we went to see for ourselves, Nitama, the stationmaster cat at Kishi Station. Share with: Link: Copy link. Heartbroken as Tama’s many supporters were, though, life goes on, and Wakayama Electric Railway has announced that… Tama became famous and soon visitors could eat in a Tama-themed cafe and buy Tama cat souvenirs. R.I.P Tama! Tama, the first and only feline stationmaster, sadly passed away in June The popularly of the stationmaster cats have not wained. I am filled with deep sorrow and appreciation.”. It was a great success! © 2020 - 2021 Tokyo Weekender Sleeping and doing nothing is hard work, you know? Share with: Link: Copy link. On January 5, 2012, Tama's official apprentice, named "Nitama" ("Second Tama") was revealed. Cat working hours are a very agreeable 10 a.m.-4p.m. The Telegraph notes that Nitama was born in Okayama City before being adopted by the railway, after being found under a car on a rainy day. Tama, who presided over Japan’s Kishi station for eight years, passed away at the age of 16 this past June. Pancake the Two Legged Cat. Nitama-ekicho’s “working” schedule is available online (and later we would learn that at the main entrance of Wakayama station, there is a sign similar to the doctor office one which tells you if the stationmaster is in or out for the day—one of the numerous adorable touches we’ll discover along the way!) ! 2015 and found her final resting place next to the station with it's own shrine. Shortly after her passing, The Japan Times quoted a statement from Wakayama Governor Yoshinobu Nisaka that described the then stationmaster as a “superstar extremely popular in and out of Japan who contributed greatly to promoting tourism in our prefecture. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. She was 16 -- or about 80 in cat years. They even opened a little café and museum to Tama the Cat in Kishi Station. Tama II is Tama’s new successor. Nitama has taken over the reigns as Stationmaster cat at Kishi station. Tama received her own miniature shrine at the station, with two bronze statuettes in the shape of beckoning cats and a stone monument. Cole and Marmalade. Don’t worry, there will be a successor, so it’s still worth visiting. Back on track: Nitama the cat becomes the new stationmaster at remote Japanese railway after death of previous feline boss. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "nitama" Flickr tag. Tama’s apprentice Nitama was named the new Station Master and took over all official duties. View image of Nitama poses with her custom-made conductor hat in front of a framed image of Tama, Kishi station's original 'cat master' (Credit: Credit: Rob Goss) Maybe so. Today, the Wakayama Railway is an unexpected destination for cat lovers from all over the world! There's also a cat stationmaster apprentice, Nitama, who shoulders some responsibilities for Tama. When Station Master Tama passed away in June, 2015, over 3,000 people attended a Shinto funeral held in her honour at the station, where she became a Shinto Goddess. Now the grieving process is coming to a close as her successor has been named: Nitama, who was once Tama’s assistant stationmaster, and who graduated from Cat Stationmaster Training School, another precedent set by her predecessor. Photo by Douglas Sprott licensed CC BY-NC 2.0   If you take the Kishigawa Line to the little neighbourhood of Kinokawa in southeastern Japan, you might find yourself at Kishi Station. She also worked as deputy stationmaster at Kishi station when Tama -- who has since been elevated to the status of goddess -- was still running the place. Posted on August 26, 2015 by Jodell. Nitama, the cat stationmaster at Kishi Station in Wakayama, Japan is not your regular railway employee. Nitama’s promotion comes 50 days after Tama’s death, which is an appropriate duration according to the Shinto religion’s rules for the appointment of successors of feline stationmasters. Her job is uncommon for most ordinary cats, she is the station master and she works five days in a week from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wakayama Railway also placed another cat, Yontama in charge of nearby Idakiso Station. CatLady Box. Wakayama Electric Railway president Mitsunobu Kojima told reporters that appointing Nitama only made sense because “she had teaching experience from Tama directly,” before adding: “Tama was very mild and she seldom got angry, though she was strict with her subordinate Nitama.”, Tama was 16 years old (80 in human years), and died of heart complications on June 22. Born in Okayama City in 2010, Nitama was rescued from under a train car and adopted by Okayama Electric Tramway. Chairs and cakes is only 5 years Later she Got the Purr fect Promotion - Duration: 4:27 she... 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