Hachiko Statue, Tokyo

Hachiko Statue, Tokyo

Hachiko (1923 – 1935) was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Odate in Akita Prefecture. He is renowned for his extraordinary loyalty to his owner and is referred to as "faithful dog Hachiko" in Japanese.

In 1924, Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo, adopted Hachiko, a golden brown Akita, as his pet. Throughout the professor's lifetime, Hachiko would eagerly welcome him at Shibuya Station, which was conveniently located nearby, every evening. However, after Professor Ueno's passing, Hachiko continued to faithfully await his return for the next 9 years, 9 months, and 15 days, consistently appearing at the station just in time for the train's arrival. This unwavering devotion captured the hearts of the Japanese people and came to symbolize a profound sense of family loyalty that everyone should aspire to emulate. Over time, Hachiko's legendary faithfulness evolved into a national symbol of loyalty, especially towards the Emperor and his institution.

In April 1934, a bronze statue resembling Hachiko was erected at Shibuya Station, and Hachiko himself attended its unveiling. During World War II, the statue was repurposed for the war effort, but in 1948, The Society for Recreating the Hachiko Statue commissioned Takeshi Ando, the son of the original artist, to create a new statue. A dedication ceremony took place upon the installation of the new statue in August 1948, which still stands today and serves as a popular meeting spot. The station exit adjacent to this statue is known as the "Hachiko Exit."

The Hachiko Exit (Exit #8) provides access to Shibuya Crossing, a bustling and enormous location that is one of the city's most favored meeting points.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tokyo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Hachiko Statue on Map

Sight Name: Hachiko Statue
Sight Location: Tokyo, Japan (See walking tours in Tokyo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Tokyo, Japan

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Yanaka Walking Tour

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With a high concentration of ancient places of worship in the district, the air here...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

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