Everyone who once has owned the friendship of a dog, will love the story of Hachikō – Japan’s most famous dog.
Hachikō was an Akita-inu, born in 1923. He followed his master to the Shibuya station in Tokyo every day and met him there every night when he returned.
But one day, professor Ueno suddenly died and never came back. Hachikō waited for almost ten years for his master, sitting at the same place outside the station. Many people cared for him and helped him, so…
…his story got wings and travelled around the world, even to Sweden. As a child I read about him and was very moved by his faithfulness. At home we always had both cats and dogs, so my heart was aching for his fate.
In 1934, his statue was unveiled, and Hachikō himself was present too. Today there is always a long queue to his statue – young and old – everyone wants a photo with him by their side. Even if it is heavily raining…The station gate and exit wear his name and on the wall there are several Akita-inu dogs portrayed.
This was one of my must-see places in Tokyo.
The whole story of the faithful Hachikō is here.
Leya 
One of my favorite spots in Tokyo.
Hachiko, Beautiful display of love and loyalty.
What a sweet story! It reminds me of Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh
Awww!
♥
I think this story was used in a movie with Richard Gere, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028532/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_17_act beautiful story
Yes, Ritva just told me. I’ll have to see it. Gere is also something to watch…
You will enjoy richard and the dog!
I loved the movie of the dog 🙂 with Richard Gere as a lead.
I saw that Gere was in that movie – but haven’t seen it. Yet.
I had heard about this sweet dog many years ago and it must be lovely to visit the actual place and see his statue in person. Thank you so much for sharing Ann-Christine! ❤ xxx
You are welcome – I was thinking of you when I posted it.
❤❤❤ xxx
It sounds as if nobody looked after Hachiko when his master died.
Oh, but they did. Even the railway station’s personnel helped. I left a link to the story.
Oh! I tried to get to it. Perhaps I was pressing on the wong place! I’ll go back and look again. Sorry.
It was a place that you could meet people: outside Shibuya station, near Hachiko. But there are always so many people there that you would still have to actively look for the people you were supposed to meet.
Yes, I know what you mean. There were so many people that we had some trouble finding the statue…
Aww, very heartwarming! Dogs are so faithful and smart.
They are. It feels so good to read such stories, because you can truly understand them. At least if you have had animals yourself.
What an uplifting story of friendship!
It is, but also sad. It makes us understand how precious we are to them too. So – treat the little friends well!
I actually just watched the movie over Netflix with my nephews and sis. Although I have seen it many times it stays as tear-jerker. My sister couldn’t hold her tears. Oh Hachiko!
Yes, yes – tears are bound to flow…
That’s a true friend. 😊
It is. They are – all my dogs and cats too.
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A heartwarming story.
♥
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