Hiroshima: Feline station masters bring business to struggling railway; station sees over 5,000 visitors in 6 months

HIROSHIMA — Six months have passed since two cats were appointed station master and deputy station master on a train line in Hiroshima, hoping to attract customers. So far, the move seems to have worked.

JR Shiwaguchi Station is located on the Geibi Line in Hiroshima. The station’s cat-like stationmaster was originally Ryoma, who was extremely popular. But when he passed away in 2019, the position had been vacant for almost five years.

The station chose two cats who are brother and sister to take over Ryoma’s post in March, thinking that it would be lonely to take on the post alone. Both cats — Station Master Yamato and Deputy Station Master Chidori — were born near the station and are estimated to be around 18 months old. The two were chosen from more than 100 stray cats in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The Geibi Line is currently under discussion as to whether or not to shut down a section of the line. While the section that includes Shiwaguchi Station is not under discussion, it will become more difficult to do business if ridership continues to decline. Locals hope that the cats will help the line survive.

Yamato and Chidori are currently living and “working” in the Stationmaster Ryoma Memorial Hall in front of the station, as they prepare for their debut at Shiwaguchi Station. The effect of their appointment is already evident, with over 5,000 visitors having met them since their inauguration.

“I want people to come and meet the happy couple,” said 79-year-old former station master of Shiwaguchi Hideki Nakahara, who is now director of the memorial hall.