Stray cat becomes star of century old Kagoshima station

KIRISHIMA, Kagoshima -- A stray cat has made himself at home in a station here that's over a century old, and is attracting visits not only train enthusiasts but cat lovers.

Named "Nyantaro" by Yumiko Yamaki, 68, head of the regional revitalization committee set up by local residents, the male cat wandered into Kareigawa Station on the JR Hisatsu Line around November last year and started sleeping there. At first, local residents thought he would leave soon, but Nyantaro has made his home in the all-wood station, which opened in 1903 and is registered as a national tangible cultural asset.

Tourists visiting the 113-year-old station started tweeting and posting about Nyantaro on social media, and now there are people coming all the way from Miyazaki Prefecture every week just to see the station's feline tenant. He has been provided blankets and food, and somebody even put a collar around his neck.

The committee is holding a ceremony on May 5 to name Nyantaro the Kareigawa tourism ambassador.