Hachiko the True Story of a Loyal Dog

Hachiko the True Story of a Loyal Dog is a heartwarming tale that will melt your heart. Hachiko was a Japanese Akita who lived in the 1920s and 1930s.

Hachiko's owner, Ueno Hidesaburo, was a professor at the University of Tokyo. He would come home to their family's home in Shibuya, Tokyo every day at 3 pm. Hachiko would wait for him at the train station.

Hachiko's loyalty was unwavering, and he would wait for Ueno at the station for nine years after his owner's sudden death.

Hachiko was just 50 days old when he embarked on a 20-hour train journey to Ueno Station, Tokyo, wrapped in a rice bag to keep him warm.

He was sent to the home of Professor Ueno Hidesaburō, near Shibuya Station, where he would spend the rest of his life.

The professor, who had no children, cherished Hachiko, allowing him to sleep under his bed and even eat with him.

Hachiko was named after his unique appearance, as his forelegs made the shape of the character 八, which means “eight” and is pronounced hachi.

Hachiko grew sturdy under the loving care of Professor Ueno and his wife Yae.

He began accompanying Professor Ueno on his way to work, as far as Shibuya Station, and would wait there in the evening for his master to return.

Hachiko's story was first picked up by a major Japanese newspaper reporter in 1932, which led to him becoming a celebrity all over Japan.

People started calling him “Chuken-Hachiko“, which means “Hachiko – the faithful dog“.

His story 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.

Hachiko 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.

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He continued this wait for an incredible nine years, nine months, and 15 days until he died himself on March 8, 1935.

Hachiko was 11 years old when he passed away.

His loyalty won over the station workers, who started bringing treats for him and even kept him company from time to time.

Saitō Hirokichi, founder of the Japanese Dog Preservation Society, was deeply moved by Hachi’s loyalty and wrote an article about it in 1932.

Through his writing, people in Japan and abroad learned how Hachi had been faithfully awaiting his deceased master’s return for seven years.

A bronze statue of Hachi was built outside the Shibuya Station entrance in 1934, and he was even present at the statue’s unveiling on April 21.

But in 1935, suffering an infection of parasitic worms, he weakened, dying on March 8, aged 13 (equivalent to 90 in human years).

A funeral was held for Hachi on March 12, and his remains were interred alongside the grave of Professor Ueno in Aoyama Cemetery.

Hachiko's Legacy is a testament to his enduring impact on society. His remains were cremated and buried in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo, where his beloved master, Professor Ueno, was also laid to rest.

Many people, including Yae and Shibuya Station staff, came to pay their respects after Hachiko's passing. Hundreds of dog lovers still visit Shibuya Station each year on March 8 to honor his memory and loyalty.

The bronze statue of Hachiko at Shibuya Station is a poignant reminder of his devotion. It was recycled during World War II, but a second statue was created in 1948 by Takeshi Ando, the son of the original artist.

There are several great books written about Hachiko and his amazing story and life.

Many of these books are based on the true story of Hachiko's unwavering loyalty to his owner.

You can find out more about these books by pressing on each picture to see more info about the book.

Hachiko's remains were cremated and buried in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo, alongside his master Professor Ueno.

Many people came to pay their respects, including Yae and Shibuya Station staff.

Hachiko's pelt was preserved and his taxidermy mount is on permanent display at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.

In 1934, a bronze statue based on his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, but it was later recycled for the war effort.

A second statue was made in 1948 by Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist.

The station entrance near this statue is named "Hachikō-guchi", meaning "The Hachiko Entrance/Exit".

A bronze statue was unveiled at the University of Tokyo in 2015 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Hachiko's death.

Each year on March 8, a solemn ceremony of remembrance is held at Shibuya Station to honor Hachiko's devotion.

Hachiko's Cultural Impact is a testament to the enduring power of loyalty and friendship. The true story of a loyal dog has inspired countless adaptations and references in popular culture.

The 1987 film Hachikō Monogatari is a notable example, telling the story of Hachiko's life and imagined spiritual reunion with his master. It was a blockbuster success, considered the last big hit for Japanese film studio Shochiku Kinema Kenkyū-jo.

Hachiko's legacy extends beyond film, with numerous children's books and novels dedicated to his story. The 2004 children's book Hachikō: The True Story of a Loyal Dog is just one example, written by Pamela S. Turner and illustrated by Yan Nascimbene.

The 2007 video game The World Ends with You features the Hachikō statue, with its legend referenced on several occasions. The statue's location plays an important role in the narrative of the game.

Here are some notable examples of Hachiko's cultural impact:

Hachiko's story continues to inspire new adaptations and references, cementing his place in popular culture.

Hachiko's Commemoration is a significant aspect of his story. Every year on March 8, a solemn ceremony of remembrance is held at Shibuya Station to honor his devotion and loyalty.

Hundreds of dog lovers attend this ceremony to pay their respects to Hachiko. The ceremony is a heartfelt tribute to his unwavering dedication to his owner, Professor Ueno.

In 2023, the ceremony was particularly special as it coincided with what would have been Hachiko's 100th birthday. A holographic display of Hachiko was installed at the Akita Dog Visitor Center in Odate, Akita Prefecture, to celebrate the occasion.

Visitors to Tokyo can still see a bronze statue of Hachiko and Professor Ueno at the University of Tokyo, which was unveiled in 2015. The statue depicts Hachiko jumping to greet his owner at the end of a workday.

If you're interested in learning more about Hachiko's life and death, you can visit the small museum next to the statue, which features articles, photos, and even Hachiko's autopsy report.

Hachiko's loyalty was truly remarkable, and it's a testament to the strong bond that can form between humans and animals.

Hachiko waited for his owner, Ueno, to return home from work every day for nine years and 215 days, a remarkable display of loyalty.

Hachiko was a loyal companion to Ueno, and his daily visits to the train station were a comforting routine for both of them.

Hachiko's loyalty was not just about waiting for Ueno to return, but also about being there for him in times of need, providing emotional support and comfort.

Hachiko's dedication to Ueno was unwavering, and he continued to wait for him even after Ueno's death in 1925.

Hachiko's loyalty was so renowned that even Helen Keller, the American educator and champion of disability rights, was taken by his tale and wished for her own Akita-inu.

Hachiko's daily routine began with his owner, Professor Ueno, returning home from Shibuya Station, and he waited for him every day, often for hours.

Hachiko continued this routine for years, even after Professor Ueno's passing, and it's estimated that he waited for him at the station for 9 years, 9 months, and 15 days.

Hachiko's photo was featured in local newspapers, and he became a beloved fixture at Shibuya Station, drawing the attention of commuters and locals alike.

Even after being given away, Hachiko still made his way to Shibuya Station at 3 PM, hoping to meet Professor Ueno, a testament to his unwavering loyalty.

Hachiko, a loyal Akita, lived with Professor Ueno in Shibuya, Tokyo, and would accompany him to the station every day.

Hachiko became famous for his loyalty after Professor Ueno's sudden passing in 1925.

He was taken in by an acquaintance who ran a kimono store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, but he never stopped trying to reach Shibuya Station.

Hachiko would wait outside the ticket gates, rain, snow, or shine, every morning and evening for nine years, nine months, and 15 days.

He even continued to sneak off to Shibuya Station after being given away following Professor Ueno's passing.

Hachiko's story touched hearts across the globe, and he became a beloved symbol of loyalty and devotion.

Helen Keller visited his statue in 1937 and was so taken by his tale that she wished for her own Akita-inu.

Hachiko's story has been retold in various forms, including a 1987 Japanese film and a 2009 American movie starring Richard Gere.

The story of Hachiko's loyalty at Shibuya Station is like a moving story of faithful service, according to Saitō Hirokichi.

Hachiko's grave is beside Professor Ueno's grave in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo, a poignant reminder of their enduring bond.

Hachikō's family was finally reunited on May 19, 2016, during a ceremony at the Aoyama Cemetery.

The ceremony brought together the Ueno and Sakano families, both of whom played a significant role in Hachikō's life.

Some of the ashes of Yaeko Sakano were buried with Ueno and Hachikō, fulfilling the long-awaited reunion of Hachikō's family.

A special touch was added to the tombstone, with Yaeko's name and the date of her death inscribed on it, next to Hachikō's.

This poignant gesture highlighted the fact that Hachikō had two keepers, Professor Ueno and Yaeko Sakano, who were like his parents to him.

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