August 2010 - Picture of the Month 
Kishi Station in Wakayama Prefecture



Taken at lunchtime on a bright Sunday just a few days after its 4th August opened, this
photo shows the new station at Kishi, on the Wakayama Electric Railway, honouring Tama,
once just a station cat, but now also an honorary director of the company.  Built at a
cost of 100 million yen, including contributions from supporters, it is part of an innovative
strategy to attract passengers, which also includes three special ichigo strawberry, omocha
toy, and tama trains, as well as a bike rental system.  Such strategies are necessary for
rural railways facing depopulation and ever-present competition from car users.

See the previous picture of the month