Right. We thought us lot here at Professional Moron could do weird pretty well, but sometimes some folk can just stumble their way into the Book of Surreal without even trying.

Take Tama the Cat, for instance, who is the Super Station Master and Operating Officer at Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line in Kinokawa, Wakayama, Japan!

Tama The Super Station Master

Indeed, dear readers, it may seem unbelievable, but it is believable, as it’s true. It turns out the 14 year old Tama was raised with a group of stray cats who lived near Kishi Station.

Due to her hanging around the place a lot (and following near closings of the station in 2004) in January 2007 someone decided it would be a brilliant idea to promote Tama as the official Station Master.

Her primary duty is to greet passengers, which means she has to look pretty damn smart. This is why she often has a hat attached to her head at a jaunty angle, along with the customary office to accompany her status.

Her hard work is paid for by a standard salary of cat food. You’ll also be surprised to learn Tama is the first cat to become an executive of a railroad corporation.

BUT! She’s not alone, as in January 2012 Tama’s official apprentice (called Nitama – “Second Tama”) was revealed at the station. Nitama will, no doubt, be groomed to replace Tama once the latter decides to retire. After 5 years as Super Station Master we believe she is most deserving of her time off.

Anyway, if you think this is all something from Mr. Wapojif’s brain then think again! For a start you can follow her official Twitter account right.

Head on for futher for more CAT FACTS about Tama and her position as Super Station Master. And donut fear, for Tama is but a pleasant beast with a stylish hat! Innit.

First off, Tama was promoted further still in 2010 and is now a corporate executive. Yanked straight out of a Studio Ghibli film, this small station in Japan has seen passenger rates blast up by to 17% since Tama’s appointment, and she has become a celebrity over in Nippon.

The interest in the feline has generated some 1.1 billion yen for the local economy! Here at Professional Moron we can’t help but wonder why more businesses aren’t taking advantage of cat based antics.

Anyway, you might be wondering what she does exactly. We’re way ahead of your! Here’s a pictoral evaluation of her duties and influence on the community of Kinokawa.

Tama in uniform and ready to greet passengers with her hat.

Tama in her office.

The office viewed from the outside (we presume it would be wise to gravitate here whilst Tama has her obligatory naps).

As you can see many of the trains have been inspired by Tama.

And finally…

Here’s the station itself! It’s a refurbished version of the original (courtesy of Tama’s influence) and one can say it sort of looks like a cat… with eyes, mouth, and angled head.

We should imagine this was planned. Anyway, huzzah for Tama, and huzzah for cats!

Tama Update

Unfortunately, Tama passed away in June of 2015 and this led to quite a bit of outpouring of grief.

We’re sure her legacy will live on – with a hat as cool as that, there’s really no other choice, right? In the meantime, you can get you fix at the likes of cat cafes to remember her and celebrate these glorious little beasts.