Fans of trains and felines enjoyed a trip with rescue cats recently, all for a good cause.

Just last month, Gifu-based rescue cat cafe Sanctuary announced that it was teaming up with local train company Yoro Railway to create Japan’s very first Cat Cafe Train. The one-day event sold out in less than a day, with 80 people snapping up tickets to support the cause, which sought to raise awareness for stray cats and prevent culling.

The unique Cat Cafe Train held its maiden voyage in Gifu Prefecture with 40 passengers at 10:30 a.m. on 10 September, travelling from Ogaki Station via Yoro Station to Ikeno, where it arrived at 1:00 p.m. Another 40 passengers travelled in the opposite direction, from Ikeno Station at 11:20 a.m., arriving at Ogaki at 2:50 p.m.

▼ The sign on the chartered train reads: “Cat Train For Save Neko Cafe”.

Accompanying the passengers on each 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) journey were 20 cats of all shapes and sizes, who were originally scheduled to be culled, but were saved by the Sanctuary rescue cat cafe.

Many of the kittens were enthralled by the scenery, eagerly taking up spots next to the windows of the train.

Passengers were able to interact with the cats in the first and last carriage of the three-car train, which was decked out in carpet and covered seats for comfort and cleanliness.

The event organisers even created nooks underneath seats for kittens to hide away and relax in when they needed some me-time.

Passengers also received a bento boxed lunch and cat-shaped cookies, along with unlimited travel on Yoro Railway for the day in exchange for the 3,000 yen (US$27) participation fee. A portion of this fee went towards helping fund Sanctuary’s rescue cat operations.

▼ Passengers were able to enjoy a Happy Neko Bento in the central carriage, which had been set up as a dining and refreshment area.

Ikeno Station supported the day with plenty of goods and events to celebrate the running of the “Happy Neko (Cat) Train”.

Events at Ikeno Station included a fashion show, a band performance, a cat toilet-making workshop, and a bingo game, with bingo cards sold for 100 yen, to go towards the Happy Cat fund.

▼ There was also a charity food and goods market for visitors to enjoy on the day.

Given the overwhelming response from locals in support of the charity venture, there’s every chance that the Cat Cafe Train will be able to continue with more regular trips through the scenic countryside of Gifu Prefecture. Here’s hoping more rescue cat cafes will be able to draw attention to their cause through fundraising events like these throughout the rest of the country soon too!

Source: Sankei
Featured image: Instagram/yoro_railway