Do you know about Hachiko, Japan’s most famous dog? He was so devoted to his master, he waited for him for ten years. What follows is one of the most beloved stories in Japan. Amazingly, it’s all true. Read on, my friends, and let’s learn all about…
The word’s most loyal dog
In 1924, a Professor Ueno bought a small Akita dog and named him Hachiko (hach-ko).
Professor Ueno worked at the University of Tokyo, so everyday he would take the train from Shibuya to work. Hachiko would accompany him to the station and see him off. Hachiko would then return to the station in the evening to wait for his master to arrive.
This repeated every day for a year.
Then one day the professor didn’t return. Unbeknownst to Hachiko, Professor Ueno had suffered a massive stroke at school that day and had died instantly.
Loyal Hachiko returned every evening to wait for his master to return. This went on every day for ten years until Hachiko himself died.
The beginning of a legend
During Hachiko’s ten year wait, his legend started growing. The station staff recognized him as the Professor’s dog. They fed him and took care of him.
At some point, one of Professor Ueno’s former students learned about Hachiko and published several articles about him and his story. This propelled Hachiko into the national spotlight and made him something of a local sensation. People were impressed with his faithfulness and loyalty.
The hachiko statue
Hachiko and his story were so loved that after he died, Tokyo residents voted to build a statue of him. It was unfortunately melted down to make weapons during the war, but it was rebuilt afterward.
To this day it remains at the entrance to Shibuya station. It’s a well known landmark and if you tell someone “let’s meet at Hachiko” they will instantly understand where to meet. (But good luck finding anyone. So many people gather at the Hachiko entrance that trying to find someone there is a little like trying to find a needle in a haystack. )
On a slightly disturbing note — to me anyways — he was stuffed and his remains are kept on display at the National Science Musieum in Ueno, Tokyo.
Final Words
This story is very beloved in Japan and is often used to teach children loyalty. At least two movies that I know of have been made about this story, one Japanese and the other a Hollywood remake, and numerous books have been written about it.
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Interesting post. Any dog I’ve ever had is always trying to run away and Hachiko hangs out for 10 years waiting for his master to return? Not that’s loyalty! UT
Interesting post. Any dog I’ve ever had is always trying to run away and Hachiko hangs out for 10 years waiting for his master to return? Not that’s loyalty! UT
I think you may have mentioned this before. I see how it is a story of loyalty but I find it depressing. Poor Hachiko.
This also reminds me of a metro station in Moscow (Revolutionary Square Station) that has a statue of a dog that is supposedly good luck. You have to touch his nose, though!
I think you may have mentioned this before. I see how it is a story of loyalty but I find it depressing. Poor Hachiko.
This also reminds me of a metro station in Moscow (Revolutionary Square Station) that has a statue of a dog that is supposedly good luck. You have to touch his nose, though!
I, too love the story of Hachiko, and in fact, was inspired to write a novel based on his life. For anyone who might be interested in learning more about Chuken Hachiko (the faithful Hachiko), my book is called HACHIKO WAITS. I found Hachiko’s loyalty very moving, and I hope my book does justice to his devotion.
Leslea — ive just ordered your book — cannot wait to receive it — thank you so much for doing that — your fantastic x
I, too love the story of Hachiko, and in fact, was inspired to write a novel based on his life. For anyone who might be interested in learning more about Chuken Hachiko (the faithful Hachiko), my book is called HACHIKO WAITS. I found Hachiko’s loyalty very moving, and I hope my book does justice to his devotion.
Leslea — ive just ordered your book — cannot wait to receive it — thank you so much for doing that — your fantastic x
On this topic, mentalfloss.com has a nice post about 6 loyal dogs like Hackiko that’s worth a quick read. The URL is: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/18238
Thanks, Neil! Interesting stuff. Amazing the bonds some dogs form.
On this topic, mentalfloss.com has a nice post about 6 loyal dogs like Hackiko that’s worth a quick read. The URL is: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/18238
Thanks, Neil! Interesting stuff. Amazing the bonds some dogs form.
The present position of Hachiko isn’t the original. Since the station was expanded, they had the move him. This came from a 72-year old that grew up there. Oh, and good luck finding someone there; his enormous popularity attracts large crowds…“I’ll meet you in the haystack!” (><)
Did they move him when the statue was remade or afterwards?
Re: haystack — No kidding! But at least it gives you an idea of where to meet, I suppose.
Hi. Interesting you say that the statue is not in its original place. I have read somewhere today when doing some research (after watching the Hollywood movie) that the original statue was melted down something to do with the WW2. Locals were insistant that a memorial be put back — hence a new statue was erected, which could be why it is not in its original place. Has anyone else read this? Ive looked at so many websites today, i am trying to find the artical again x
The present position of Hachiko isn’t the original. Since the station was expanded, they had the move him. This came from a 72-year old that grew up there. Oh, and good luck finding someone there; his enormous popularity attracts large crowds…“I’ll meet you in the haystack!” (><)
Did they move him when the statue was remade or afterwards?
Re: haystack — No kidding! But at least it gives you an idea of where to meet, I suppose.
Hi. Interesting you say that the statue is not in its original place. I have read somewhere today when doing some research (after watching the Hollywood movie) that the original statue was melted down something to do with the WW2. Locals were insistant that a memorial be put back — hence a new statue was erected, which could be why it is not in its original place. Has anyone else read this? Ive looked at so many websites today, i am trying to find the artical again x
i was so sad after this story.….i love animals
I agree it is a sad story, but an amazing one. An amazing dog.
I agree it is a sad story, but an amazing one. An amazing dog.
I already knew the story and I loved it, so a couple of fdays ago my dad came and brought us the movie Hachiko; a dog’s story. I loved it and cried the entire evening the akita in the movie is red instead of white, but they sticked to the original story. The only changes are the location of the story, the master of Hachi isn’t Japanese and Hachi is red instead of white. I also have an Akita and the akita in the movie really has an Akit personality so it’s not somekind of robot dog
I’ll have to watch the movie. Since writing this post, I’ve discovered it is a remake of a Japanese movie made in the early 90s (I think). So if you enjoyed the Hollywood one, you may want to track down the original.
I already knew the story and I loved it, so a couple of fdays ago my dad came and brought us the movie Hachiko; a dog’s story. I loved it and cried the entire evening the akita in the movie is red instead of white, but they sticked to the original story. The only changes are the location of the story, the master of Hachi isn’t Japanese and Hachi is red instead of white. I also have an Akita and the akita in the movie really has an Akit personality so it’s not somekind of robot dog
I’ll have to watch the movie. Since writing this post, I’ve discovered it is a remake of a Japanese movie made in the early 90s (I think). So if you enjoyed the Hollywood one, you may want to track down the original.
i think this dog is going to be in are hearts forever and i think its awesome that so mine people like my self is moved by this dogs story.… it is a heartbreaking story but a good one to tell.…
i think this dog is going to be in are hearts forever and i think its awesome that so mine people like my self is moved by this dogs story.… it is a heartbreaking story but a good one to tell.…
Hi. I watched the Richard Gere movie last night and I must say, ive never cried so much in all my life — what a truely emotional film. Ive spent all tying to find articals and information on the famous Hachiko fom Japan and i am even contemplating on going to Japan just to see the statue!!! Do you know how far away the Statue is from the museum? Someone mentioned in the remaks that there was another film ot based on this true story — please could you tell me where i could find it and what it is called? Is it in english? thank you x
Hi. I watched the Richard Gere movie last night and I must say, ive never cried so much in all my life — what a truely emotional film. Ive spent all tying to find articals and information on the famous Hachiko fom Japan and i am even contemplating on going to Japan just to see the statue!!! Do you know how far away the Statue is from the museum? Someone mentioned in the remaks that there was another film ot based on this true story — please could you tell me where i could find it and what it is called? Is it in english? thank you x
Hahahah, how cute! I loved this movie!
Hahahah, how cute! I loved this movie!
Actually the way Japanese saw Hachiko in the past and how he is regarded now has changed quite a bit. While most still find the story still cute, in Japanese if someone tells you that you are a kind of Hachiko it means you are quite naïve or simple minded. Even so, the story, sad and true, is a very nice lesson for humans.
That’s interesting! I’ve never heard that before, but then again I’ve only talked to older Japanese about the story. Maybe it is a generational thing, in that case.
Actually the way Japanese saw Hachiko in the past and how he is regarded now has changed quite a bit. While most still find the story still cute, in Japanese if someone tells you that you are a kind of Hachiko it means you are quite naïve or simple minded. Even so, the story, sad and true, is a very nice lesson for humans.
That’s interesting! I’ve never heard that before, but then again I’ve only talked to older Japanese about the story. Maybe it is a generational thing, in that case.
Japan is really great„,they are faithfull and loyal.…i love japan..
I just watched Hachiko a few days ago but it is really a wonderful story. It made me cry. Hachi deserved to be remembered forever!
I haven’t watched the movie yet, but… I agree!