Tama, the hero of Kishi Station, passed away this week at a local animal hospital. She had just celebrated her 16th birthday in April.
The cat hero —
Tama, the hero of Kishi Station, passed away this week at a local animal hospital. She had just celebrated her 16th birthday in April.
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images
Tama was appointed stationmaster of Kishi Station, a rural neighborhood 30 minutes from central Wakayama City in southeast Japan, in 2007.
Kishi Station —
Tama was appointed stationmaster of Kishi Station, a rural neighborhood 30 minutes from central Wakayama City in southeast Japan, in 2007.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
Tama is credited with saving the station from financial ruin. Since her appointment as stationmaster, she became known as a local mascot. Travelers poured in specifically to visit the cute worker.
Local celebrity —
Tama is credited with saving the station from financial ruin. Since her appointment as stationmaster, she became known as a local mascot. Travelers poured in specifically to visit the cute worker.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
Wakayama Electric Railway operates three adorable themed trains: Strawberry Train, Tama Train (pictured) and Toy Train.
Cute trains —
Wakayama Electric Railway operates three adorable themed trains: Strawberry Train, Tama Train (pictured) and Toy Train.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
In addition to its cat-shaped exterior, Kishi Station is filled with Tama-themed decorations. There's even a cat cafe and a souvenir shop.
Station mural —
In addition to its cat-shaped exterior, Kishi Station is filled with Tama-themed decorations. There's even a cat cafe and a souvenir shop.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
Nitama, a cat stationmaster apprentice, has been shouldering some responsibilities for Tama over the last few years.
Tama's assistant —
Nitama, a cat stationmaster apprentice, has been shouldering some responsibilities for Tama over the last few years.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
In Wakayama City station, a special path indicates the way to the platform for the Kishigawa Line, which heads for Kishi Station.
Follow the yellow cat paws —
In Wakayama City station, a special path indicates the way to the platform for the Kishigawa Line, which heads for Kishi Station.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
Want to know more about Tama? We visited Kishi Station and profiled its beloved stationmaster in 2013: <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fcat-saves-japanese-train-station-586471">The cat that saved a Japanese train station</a>.
Revisit Tama's station —
Want to know more about Tama? We visited Kishi Station and profiled its beloved stationmaster in 2013: The cat that saved a Japanese train station.
Maggie Hiufu Wong/CNN
The cat that saved a Japanese train station

Story highlights

Tama the cat, who served as train stationmaster in Japan, has died

Her popularity saved a struggling train station from financial ruin

CNN  — 

You’ll want to hug your cat a little bit tighter after reading this story.

Tama, Japan’s famous cat stationmaster, passed away Monday at a local animal hospital due to acute heart failure.

She was 16 – or about 80 in cat years.

The female tortoiseshell’s popularity rose quickly following her 2007 appointment as the stationmaster of Kishi Station, which serves Japan’s rural neighborhood of Kinokawa in Wakayama Prefecture.

But cute as she was in her jaunty little stationmaster hat, Tama’s biggest achievement was single-pawedly saving the struggling train station from financial ruin during her tenure.

Her presence pulled in visitors and fans from around the world, allowing the train line to sustain its service for local residents.

According to the Japan Times, Wakayama governor Yoshinobu Nisaka paid tribute to Tama in a statement.

Tama was a “tourism superstar extremely popular in and out of Japan who contributed greatly to promoting tourism in our prefecture. I am filled with deep sorrow and appreciation,” Nisaka said.

Wakayama Electric Railway president Mitsunobu Kojima said he visited the cat the day before her death and she stood up and let out a strong meow.

A funeral will be held for Tama on June 28 at Kishi Station.

Want to know more about Japan’s beloved cat stationmaster? We visited Tama in 2013 – read our story here.