Hachikō Monogatari: A Timeless Tale of Faithfulness

Hachikō's story began in 1923, when he was just a six-month-old Akita puppy.

He was given to a professor at Tokyo Imperial University, who would later become his owner. Hachikō's owner, Professor Ueno, was a kind and gentle soul who adored his new furry companion.

Every day, Hachikō would wait for Professor Ueno to return home from work, and he did this for nine years after his owner's passing. His loyalty and dedication to Professor Ueno's memory are the stuff of legend.

Hachikō's story begins on a farm in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan, where a litter of Akita puppies are born on November 10, 1923.

Mase, an agricultural engineer, decides to give one of the puppies to his mentor, Hidejiro Ueno, an agricultural professor from Tokyo. Chizuko Ueno, Ueno's daughter, is thrilled to take the puppy in and plays a significant role in his early life.

Ueno adopts the puppy, but his wife disapproves of getting another dog after the death of their previous Akita, Gonsuke. The puppy, later named Hachikō, arrives at Shibuya Station after a two-day train ride from Ōdate.

Chizuko chooses to attend a concert with her fiancé Tsumoru instead of collecting the puppy, and it's left to Saikichi and Kiku to fetch the puppy, who they assume to be dead. However, the puppy is alive and is proven so when he drinks from a saucer of milk offered by Ueno.

Ueno develops a strong bond with Hachikō as he matures, taking him on walks, removing fleas from his fur, and even bathing with him. On rainy nights, Ueno brings Hachikō inside their home to dry and sleep.

Hachikō becomes accustomed to Ueno's daily commute and waits for him at Shibuya Station every day, a habit noticed by two street vendors who sell food near the station. This daily routine continues until Ueno's sudden death on May 21, 1925.

Hachiko was a white Akita Inu dog born in 1923 on a farm in Odate.

He was a member of one of the oldest and most loved Japanese dog breeds, known for being excellent guard dogs, fearless, and faithful to their owners.

On a similar theme: Hachiko Dog Statue Location

Akitas were used to guard Japanese royals over generations.

Hachiko lived in the Shibuya area of Tokyo with his owner, Dr. Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor of agricultural engineering at Tokyo University.

The two would walk to Shibuya train station together every morning, and Hachiko would return at 3pm to wait for Dr. Ueno's return.

Hachiko waited for Dr. Ueno's return for nine years after his owner's death in 1925.

He was given away to different owners, but continued his daily walk to Shibuya train station, waiting patiently for Dr. Ueno to come home.

The commuters at Shibuya Station knew Hachiko as "the faithful dog" and the local community, train station staff, and eventually the entire country came to know him by this name.

Hachiko's loyalty was so renowned that an article about him was published in the Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's most respected daily newspapers.

Hachiko's legacy lives on through the annual memorial ceremony held at Shibuya Station every March 8, honoring his love and loyalty.

The ceremony is a huge event, attracting many people, as it coincides with what would have been Hachiko's 100th birthday in 2023.

A peaceful Hachiko statue, located under a huge tree, serves as a poignant tribute to his devotion, complete with a bench for visitors to sit and reflect.

There's a perfect spot to sit and ponder the meaning of loyalty, love, and devotion, as I experienced firsthand when visiting this statue, which was quiet and unassuming, allowing for a more contemplative experience.

Suggestion: Hachiko Memorial Statue Photos

There are five Hachiko statues and monuments in Tokyo.

The most famous Hachiko statue is located in Shibuya, near Shibuya station. It was installed in 1948 as a replacement for a statue destroyed in World War II.

This statue has become a popular meeting spot for visitors and tourists navigating the busy Shibuya Crossing.

On March 8th 2015, a new Hachiko statue was unveiled outside the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Agriculture. It's a more lifelike representation of the joyful reunion between Hachiko and his owner.

Discover more: Statue of Hachiko the Dog

The University of Tokyo's Faculty of Agriculture statue was funded by donations of over 10 million yen, mostly from grad students from the agricultural department.

There's also a Hachiko memorial statue at Odate Station, close to the Akita Dog Museum in Odate city where Hachiko was born.

A statue of a sleeping dog rests at the base of Ueno's stone tomb in Aoyama Cemetery, paying tribute to the man Hachiko loved dearly.

Every year, on Hachiko's death day, March 8, there is a memorial ceremony at the Shibuya Station honoring Hachi, as well as love and loyalty.

The ceremony is a huge event, as evidenced by the large turnout in 2023, which coincided with Hachiko's would-have-been 100th birthday.

Hachiko passed away peacefully and alone on the street near Shibuya train station on March 8, 1935, at the age of 11.

The ceremony is a fitting tribute to Hachiko's enduring legacy, which continues to inspire people to this day.

You can also pay your respects to Hachiko's beloved owner, Professor Ueno, who was buried next to Hachiko's ashes in Aoyama Cemetery in Minato, Tokyo.

There is a monument of Hachiko beside Professor Ueno's tomb in the cemetery.

Hachiko's story has inspired many authors to write books about his life and legacy. There are several great books written about Hachiko and his amazing story and life.

You can find a wide range of books about Hachiko, from children's books to more in-depth biographies.

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Hachiko's story touched the hearts of the Japanese people and soon became their hero.

He waited outside Shibuya Station daily for his already dead friend and master, precisely when his friend's train was due, for an incredible nine years, nine months, and 15 days.

People from all over the world visited Hachiko at Shibuya Train Station to offer him treats, inspired by the story of the dog that never gave up.

Hachiko became a big symbol of love, devotion, and loyalty, and is still celebrated today for his incredible loyalty.

Hachiko's story is just as impactful now as it was 80 years ago. His faithfulness is highly emblematic of the positive traits Japanese people want to aspire to: devotion, loyalty and unconditional love.

Hachiko's story touched the hearts of the Japanese people and soon became their hero. He was a celebrity all over Japan, and people started calling him “Chuken-Hachiko“, which means “Hachiko – the faithful dog“.

The story of the dog that never gave up also gained a lot of attention in national media, inspiring many people from all over the world to visit Hachiko at Shibuya Train Station to offer him treats. He would sit outside Shibuya Station daily, waiting for his already dead friend and master, precisely when his friend’s train was due at the station.

Hachiko continued this wait for an incredible nine years, nine months, and 15 days until he died himself on March 8, 1935. He was 11 years old. No wonder he, even today, is a big symbol of love, devotion, and loyalty.

Dogs have long been popular in Japan, and are particularly well known for the staunch defensiveness of their owners. Japan’s national dog is the Shiba Inu – which looks similar to Hachiko! – but there are plenty of smaller dog breeds accompanying the Japanese in daily life too.

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The Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station is one of Tokyo's biggest tourist attractions, especially among young Japanese. It's a popular meeting place and a must-visit spot when in Tokyo.

The statue was erected in 1934 by Japanese artist Teru Andō, with Hachiko himself present at the grand ceremony. There have actually been two Hachiko bronze statues at Shibuya Station over the years, with the current one made by Takeshi Ando, the original artist's son, in 1948.

If you visit the Hachiko Statue, be sure to notice the entrance where you exit Shibuya Station, which is named "Hachikō-guchi" or "The Hachikō Entrance/Exit" in English.

If you're planning a trip to Tokyo, you'll definitely want to visit the famous Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station. This iconic bronze statue is one of Tokyo's biggest tourist attractions and a popular meeting spot.

The statue was erected in 1934 by Japanese artist Teru Andō, and it's been beautifully restored after being destroyed in World War II. Today, it's a must-see for anyone visiting Tokyo.

You can find the Hachiko Statue outside Shibuya Station, and be sure to notice the entrance where you exit the station, which is named "Hachikō-guchi" or "The Hachikō Entrance/Exit" in English.

If you're interested in learning more about Hachiko's life and legacy, you can visit the Akita Dog Museum in Odate city, where Hachiko was born. The museum is close to Odate Station, where you'll find another Hachiko memorial statue.

To get a glimpse of Hachiko's love story, head to Aoyama Cemetery to see the monument of Hachiko next to his owner's tomb. And if you're feeling curious, you can even visit the National Science Museum in Ueno to see a display of Hachiko himself.

With so many Hachiko statues and monuments to see, Tokyo is a great city to visit for fans of this beloved dog.

If you're in Tokyo, you can visit the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno to see Hachiko, the loyal Akita dog who waited for his owner's return.

Hachiko is now on display at the National Science Museum in Ueno, Tokyo, after being preserved.

You can meet and see Hachiko at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, Tokyo, a symbol of loyalty and devotion in Japan.

The University of Tokyo is a must-visit destination for any Hachiko fan. It's where Professor Hidesaburō Ueno worked as a professor in Agriculture Science and sadly passed away suddenly.

The university is home to a beautiful bronze statue of Hachiko and his owner, Professor Ueno, which was erected on March 9, 2015, marking the 80th anniversary of Hachiko’s death. The statue shows Hachiko jumping and greeting Professor Ueno at the end of a workday.

Next to the statue is a small museum where you can see a display with articles and photos of Hachiko, including his autopsy report. Hachiko's autopsy showed that he died of terminal cancer and a filaria infection.

You can also take a closer look at Hachiko's organs, including his liver, heart, and lung, which are on display at the small museum.