Wakayama Electric Railway Tama Train from Wakayama to Kishi Train Review
The Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line is a rural but world-famous railway line thanks to the massive popularisation of the railway by Honorary Eternal Stationmaster Tama. I managed to meet Tama on my previous trip on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line in 2014, just 1 year before she passed away. This time, I wanted to see how the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line with Nitama and Yontama at the helm, and to ride on the Tama Train again.
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line
Wakayama Station
Transferring at Wakayama Station from the JR West section to the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line is easy as there are no ticket gates in between the transfer passage.
Cartoon portraits of Tama line the staircase up to the the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line platform at Platform 9.
The next train departure times are shown on the screen. I scheduled my visit so that I could ride the Tama Train first all the way to Kishi.
While the timetable is quite fixed every day, the rolling stock is not.
Click here for the regular Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line .pdf timetable.
Following the paw prints up the stairs to Platform 9.
While the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line is one-man operated, tickets can be purchased from the ticket counter at Wakayama Station Platform 9. This is a unique operation at Wakayama Station only.
A one-way ticket from Wakayama to Kishi costs 410 yen, but a Kishigawa Line 1-Day Pass costs 800 yen. Most tourists would simply buy the Kishigawa Line 1-Day Pass for convenience.
If you are holding a JR-WEST Rail Pass (Kansai Wide Area/Kansai Wide Area Excursion/Kansai-Hiroshima/Kansai-Hokuriku) or Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist Pass, trains on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line are included in the pass.
My Kishigawa Line 1-Day Pass for this morning out to Kishi. The date will be stamped on the Kishigawa Line 1-Day Pass by the ticket counter staff before issue.
The Tama Train is already waiting at the platform.
The end of the line at Wakayama Station.
The exterior of the Tama Train is adorned with caricatures of Tama the Honorary Eternal Stationmaster. The Tama Train was launched in 2009 and refurbished to its current look while Tama was still alive, during her third year as Stationmaster in 2011.
The interior of the Tama Train.
The wall and seat moquette are made up of Tama caricatures and calico colours.
Lamps at the side also bear the shape of Tama sitting down.
A library is available near the vestibule.
A cabinet of Doraemon figurines is also placed in the Tama Train.
The interior of the Kishi-end car of the Tama Train.
There is a pen for toddlers to be placed in to enjoy the train ride.
A plaque of Tama is also placed inside the Taman Train here.
The library also expands around the vestibule area.
Tama books and stickers are on display in this cabinet.
A stamp rally was going on and passengers can collect a stamp from on board the Tama Train at the library.
The route map and fare table of the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line.
The door opening and boarding and alighting procedures for the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line at intermediate stations.
Do note that buying a ticket from the Wakayama Electric Railway ticket counter at Wakayama Station is not compulsory. If travelling for a shorter distance, or you would like to pay the full fare, you can also make payment on board the train upon disembarking. A numbered ticket can be picked up when boarding at intermediate stations to inform the driver on when you boarded.
The fare will then be paid upon disembarking from the front door with the driver checking.
The fare will update as the train moves along.
Do note that the 800 yen Kishigawa Line 1-Day Pass is NOT sold on board the train. Only single fares apply.
The cab view of the Tama Train.
The operational timetable of the Tama Train on the day of my visit. Interestingly, the timetable also has a line diagram showing the train’s movement along the Kishigawa Line for the whole day.
My Wakayama Electric Railway Tama Train departed from Wakayama on time at 10.22am.
Turning off from the JR tracks and immediately arriving at…
Tanakaguchi Station
Making a brief stop at Tanakaguchi Station.
Nichizengū Station
Making a slightly longer stop at Nichizengū Station.
With 2 tracks, train crossings take place at Nichizengū Station.
Crossing with the Ichigo Train at Nichizengū Station.
Continuing along.
Kōzaki Station
Making a brief stop at Kōzaki Station.
Kōzaki Station shows an anime version of Tama. I think I like cartoon Tama better. And the real Tama the best.
Kamayama Station
Making a brief stop at Kamayama Station.
Heading along the countryside of Wakayama.
Kōtsū-Center-mae Station
Making a brief stop at Kōtsū-Center-mae Station.
Okazaki-mae Station
Making a brief stop at Okazaki-mae Station.
Kire Station
Making a brief stop at Kire Station.
Idakiso Station
Making a longer stop at Idakiso Station for another crossing.
Idakiso Station is the main operation station of the Wakayama Electric Railway with a depot, platform with 2 lines, and some trains terminating services here to turn back to Wakayama for a higher train frequency during peak hours.
Crossing with the Chuggington Train at Idakiso Station.
Departing from Idakiso Station.
Passing by the Umeboshi Train still in the depot, which I will be taking later.
Sandō Station
Making a brief stop at Sandō Station.
The scenery changes again with small hills along the way.
Oikeyūen Station
Making a brief stop at Oikeyūen Station.
Nishiyamaguchi Station
Making a brief stop at Nishiyamaguchi Station.
Kanroji-mae Station
Making a brief stop at Kanroji-mae Station.
The driver assists any passenger who pays the fare upon alighting.
The full fare board displayed as the train is arriving at Kishi Station. The number on the numbered ticket when picked up from the boarding door corresponds to the station name and fare displayed.
As the Tama Train arrives at Kishi Station, the Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever” is played and Tama’s meow comes before the arrival announcement.
Kishi Station
My Wakayama Electric Railway Tama Train arrived at Kishi on time at 10.54am, making this a journey of 32 minutes.
The rear door opened directly to Tama’s shrine where she now rests on the platform.
Tama is now enshrined at this Shinto cat shrine as spirit goddess Tama Daimyōjin (たま大明神).
Well wishers can write tags to be hung on the board beside Tama’s shrine.
Tama’s shrine is just after the platform shelter.
The Tama Train at Kishi Station.
The end of the line is just ahead after the railway crossing. There is a siding available for maintenance of way vehicles.
Heading out of the platform.
Nitama now takes the role of the main Stationmaster at Kishi Station.
The train timetable still uses a frame with Tama’s portraits on it.
Nitama doesn’t feel as active as the last time I saw her 9 years ago.
A portrait of Nitama stands above her office, rebranded from Tama’s original office.
On the other side of the concourse, there is also a souvenir stamp machine. Bring your own notebook to collect the stamp.
A new Kinokawa City Tourist and International Relations Center also now sits across from Kishi Station, a clear sign of the tourist boom in this rural town thanks to Tama.
The façade of Kishi Station which has a cat-centric design.
A bus stop is available outside Kishi Station serving local buses around the town.
There is a railway crossing at the overrun tracks which I had to take a look to see Kishi Station from a different angle.
The railway fan’s view of Kishi Station from the overrun tracks.
Conclusion
It’s great to be back on the Tama Train, bringing back memories of my first trip on the Wakayama Electric Railway to meet Tama. Tama is now gone, but will remain in many people’s hearts from around the world, and will eternally be the Honorary Eternal Stationmaster of Kishi Station and Honorary President of Wakayama Electric Rail for life.
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line
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