Toyama Prefecture, Japan – The Kurobe Gorge Railway, a scenic railway in Toyama Prefecture, has launched a limited-edition Railway Card featuring Nekomata Station, the only train station in Japan with the character cat (猫) in its name. This initiative aims to promote tourism and raise awareness of the railway, which has been partially affected by damage from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
The launch comes as the railway continues to repair the Zhongdiao Bridge, a section of the Kurobe Gorge Railway that sustained damage from falling rocks during the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024. Currently, train services on the Kurobe Gorge Railway only operate as far as Nekomata Station.
To capitalize on the unique name of Nekomata Station, the Kurobe Gorge Railway is issuing 4,000 limited-edition Railway Cards. These cards are being distributed free of charge at the station until the end of June, or while supplies last.
Railway Cards are promotional cards issued by railway companies across Japan. The goal is to increase the visibility of railways and attract more passengers. The Nekomata Station card includes information about the origin of the station’s name and other interesting facts.
The Kurobe Gorge Railway stated, Normally, only construction workers involved in projects such as dams and power plants are allowed to get on and off at Nekomata Station. We hope that more passengers will take this opportunity to visit Nekomata Station and receive the Railway Card as a souvenir.
This initiative not only provides a unique souvenir for visitors but also serves as a creative way to promote tourism to the region, which has been impacted by the earthquake. The limited-edition nature of the card is expected to further incentivize travel to Nekomata Station.
Conclusion:
The Kurobe Gorge Railway’s issuance of the limited-edition Nekomata Station Railway Card is a clever and effective strategy to boost tourism and raise awareness of the railway. By leveraging the unique name of the station and offering a collectible souvenir, the railway is attracting visitors and supporting the local economy in the wake of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. This initiative serves as a model for other railway companies looking to promote their services and attract new ridership. Further research could explore the long-term impact of such promotional campaigns on tourism and regional development.
References:
- NHK World-Japan. (2025, June 17). 富山县的铁道公司发行限量版猫又站“铁路卡” [Toyama Railway Issues Limited-Edition Nekomata Station Railway Card]. Retrieved from [Insert Original Article URL Here – Since I don’t have access to the live internet, I can’t provide the exact URL. You would insert the URL of the NHK article here].
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