Nakano-san, from stray kitten to stationmaster
Rescued sick and underweight last year, this much-adored cat now greets visitors at a tiny Chiba railway that has spent decades finding creative ways to survive.
Nakano-san, a rescued stray cat, has transformed from a thin, sickly kitten found near Nakanocho Station in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, to one of the railway's most recognizable faces. Station staff nursed her back to health, and she was eventually given the unofficial title of apprentice employee, eventually earning her promotion to full-fledged cat stationmaster in May.
Nakano-san is known for greeting passengers, inspecting the station, and sleeping on important paperwork. She appears at the station about once a week, though her presence has been more frequent due to Japan's hot summer weather. Nakano-san has won over visitors and regulars alike, with fans gathering to celebrate her first birthday in July.
Her image now appears on merchandise, including calendars and stationmaster-themed cards. Whether she understands her contribution to the railway's finances is unclear, but Nakano-san certainly has become a beloved attraction for visitors drawn to the port city of Choshi, known for its 19th-century Inubosaki Lighthouse.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Nakano-san, from stray kitten to stationmaster freemalaysiatoday.com
