New Cat-Themed Pastries Debut at Tama Station Café

If you’ve ever wondered what kind of dessert a beloved local feline stationmaster might inspire, the answer has arrived — in the form of two new pastries at a tiny Japanese train station café. The creations aren’t just cute, they’re competition-winners crafted by local bakers and themed around Tama, the iconic three-coloured cat who once served as stationmaster of Kishi Station in Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture.

Two new Western-style desserts debuted on March 22 at Tama Café inside Kishi Station: a strawberry-filled cream puff called "Jumping Tama" and an orange-strawberry chocolate-tipped cookie named "Tama’s Tail." Both are inspired by the station’s most famous resident.

What’s New at Tama Café?

On March 22, Tama Café, located inside Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line operated by Wakayama Electric Railway, began selling two new Western-style desserts. These were the winning entries in a local baking contest centred on Tama, the station’s former feline stationmaster.

The new offerings include:

• Jumping Tama: A cream puff created by Boulangerie-Fleurir in Taoyama, Kishigawa City (Cream Puff Division winner)
• Tama’s Tail: A cookie made by Plaisir Kimura Ami in Yamada, Iwade City (Gift Pastry Division winner)

Who Was Tama, and Why Does She Matter?

Tama was a calico cat who became a global sensation after being appointed the “stationmaster” of Kishi Station in 2007. Her role helped boost tourism and turned the otherwise quiet station into a popular attraction. After her passing, she was honoured with the title of “Honorary Eternal Stationmaster,” and her legacy continues to draw visitors — including to Tama Café.

Her image and story remain central to the identity of the station and its small onboard retail operations, including this themed café.

What Are the New Desserts Like?

The two winning treats reflect local flavours and Tama’s playful image:

Jumping Tama (Cream Puff Division)

Made by Boulangerie-Fleurir in Taoyama, this cream puff is filled with local strawberries and topped with a cat-shaped cookie. The design depicts Tama leaping toward a delicious strawberry — combining local fruit with the stationmaster’s recognisable persona.

Tama’s Tail (Gift Pastry Division)

Created by Plaisir Kimura Ami in Yamada, this cookie features a long, chocolate-dipped tail made from dough flavoured with oranges and strawberries from Kishigawa City. The shape is meant to resemble Tama’s iconic tail, blending regional citrus and berry notes with a sweet, crunchy finish.

Why These Pastries Were Chosen

Both desserts were selected as winners in a pastry competition hosted by Kishigawa City. The contest aimed to create treats that capture Tama’s spirit while highlighting local ingredients like strawberries, oranges, and chocolate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Tama Café located?

Tama Café is inside Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line in Kishigawa City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

What are the names of the new desserts?

The new desserts are "Jumping Tama," a strawberry cream puff, and "Tama’s Tail," a chocolate-tipped cookie with orange and strawberry flavours.

Which bakeries made the new pastries?

"Jumping Tama" was made by Boulangerie-Fleurir in Taoyama, and "Tama’s Tail" was created by Plaisir Kimura Ami in Yamada.

What contest led to these desserts being sold?

The pastries are winners of a Kishigawa City-sponsored baking competition featuring Tama as the theme.

Do the desserts include local ingredients?

Yes, both include local strawberries and oranges, along with chocolate in one of the treats.

When did the new pastries go on sale?

The new desserts were launched on March 22 at Tama Café.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Pastry Pairing

Pair Tama Café’s new cat-themed pastries with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for a bright, floral complement to fruit-filled desserts, or try the Brazil Queen Manor for a smooth, nutty base that highlights the chocolate and citrus notes. For a richer match, the Panama Humbera offers winey complexity ideal with creamy fillings. All three beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.