The heartbreaking loyalty of Hachiko

The story of Hachiko

Born in 1923, Hachiko, a Japanese Akita dog, was adopted by a renowned Tokyo-based agriculture professor, Hidesaburo Ueno. The 15-hour train journey from its birthplace of Odate to the Shibuya district where Ueno lived, was so gruelling it was thought the puppy had died. 

Following the puppy’s recovery, the two would make the journey to Shibuya Station together several times a week along with his two other dogs. The trio of dogs would then wait outside the station until Ueno returned in the evening. 

However, on 21 May, 1925, 16 months after adopting Hachiko, Ueno died of a cerebral haemorrhage while at work. Over the next decade, Hachiko continued to wait outside Shibuya Station every day, awaiting Ueno’s return. The vigil of loyalty only came to an end when Hachiko passed away himself on 8 March, 1935, aged 11.

Despite reports that station staff originally thought of the dog as a nuisance, it is said the dog displayed the Japanese manners that the culture is known for. The loyal canine was even said to refuse food and water for a prolonged period of time, too.

Hachiko’s story initially became known nationally due to a newspaper article in 1932. The station received donations of food for Hachiko and visitors came to see him. It was a story that captured people’s hearts and his tale spread internationally. The news of Hachiko’s death made the front page of many newspapers with people swarming to the site to pay their respects in person. 

In 1934, a bronze statue, sculpted by Teru Ando, was erected with Hachiko present at the unveiling. The original was then recycled for the war effort in WWII. However, in 1948, Takeshi Ando, son of the original sculptor, was commissioned to make a second statue which was unveiled at a dedication ceremony in August 1948. The statue still stands today and is a popular meeting point outside Shibuya Station – and dog lovers from around the world visit it to pay homage. 

The allure of Hachiko’s story only continued to enthral modern audiences as the tale was portrayed in the 2009 film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, starring Richard Gere and Joan Allen. An American adaption version, the film tells the story of Professor Wilson who discovered a lost Akita puppy on his way home. 

Exploring Hachiko memorials

Hachiko’s statue is the most iconic memorial but it is not the only one. One of Shibuya Station’s entrances is named the Hachiko entrance/exit.  

Hachiko’s grave is also a popular tourist spot in Tokyo, too. A shrine can be found in Aoyama Cemetery in the Minato City region of Tokyo.

Odate, the birthplace of Hachiko, also celebrates the legacy of the loyal dog with two well-placed statues. One, built in 1932, stands outside the train station, while a second statue was added outside the Akita Dog Museum in Odate in 2004, highlighting the enduring love people have for Hachiko. 

After the American film was released based on the dog’s life, a statue of Hachiko was erected in Rhode Island outside the station used as a location in the film. 

Perhaps most fittingly, the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Agriculture, where Ueno had worked, built a statue which depicts Hachiko jumping up to greet his owner at the end of the day. To mark the 80th anniversary of Hachiko’s passing, the pair were reunited.

What you need to know

• The Shibuya Station statue is free to view and is done so by an average 2.4 million people using the iconic Shibuya crossing every day.
• The quietest time to enjoy the statue is in the early hours of the morning.
• The official address is 2-chōme-1 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan.
• You’ll find it just south of the Shibuya crossing.
• On public transport, the best way is to take the JR Yamanote Line (green line) to Shibuya Station and exit through the Hachiko Gate, also known as the North Exit. From there, Hachiko’s statue is right in front of you.