Hachiko: The Legend of Japan’s Most Faithful Dog

Above, the statue of Hachiko outside of Shibuya Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Outside of Shibuya Station in Tokyo and near Shibuya Crossing stands a statue of an Akita dog. The statue is one of Tokyo's favorite meeting spots.

Why is there a statue of a dog outside of Shibuya Station?

Live Japan explains:

The legend of the dog known as Hachiko has become known not only in Japan, but across the world. The adorable Akita dog's unwavering loyalty to his owner earned him the nickname, “Chuken Hachiko,” which means “faithful dog Hachiko." 

The story began in 1924, when Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor in the agricultural department at the University of Tokyo, adopted a dog which he named Hachiko. The dog was an Akita, a breed originating from the mountainous regions of Japan’s north. Shortly after, they started their famous daily routine, with the dog greeting the professor at the end of each day at Shibuya station, not far from the university campus. 

Sadly, Professor Ueno passed away in May of 1925, of a cerebral hemorrhage while giving a lecture. Hachiko, not knowing what transpired, continued to return every day to Shibuya station to wait for his owner for the next nine years, nine months, and fifteen days.

Along with the statue of Hachiko at Shubuya station, a statue was erected in 2015 that reunites Professor Ueno and Hachiko at the University of Ueno.

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