Hachiko has been an inspiration to thousands of people teaching them the meaning of unconditional love and loyalty. Such a touching living being this dog is. It is so beautiful how he is remembered and honoured till today in Japan.

Now a movie to further inspire millions around the world. Hachiko, you made me cry and further affirm how love and loyalty is so important in our lives. Thank you Hachiko, may you always take wonderful rebirths again and again. Om Mani Peme Hung. I haven’t met you Hachiko, but you live in my heart… you live in the hearts of all people who want unconditional love.


Last known photo of Hachikō – pictured with his owner Yaeko Ueno (front row, second from right) and station staff in mourning in Tokyo on March 8, 1935. (Photo provided by Shibuya Folk and Literary Shirane Memorial Museum)

The last picture of Hachiko. The photo was found and is being donated to a museum in Shibuya, Japan. Please click ‘Share’ send Hachi around facebook. Read below about him…
Hachiko was born in Odate, Japan in November 1923, a white male Akita dog. At the age of two months, he was sent to the home of Professor Ueno of the Agricultural Department of the Tokyo University. The professor’s home was in… the Shibuya district of Tokyo. The professor commuted to the agricultural department in Komaba and the agricultural experimental station in Nishihara.

Tragedy struck on May 21, 1925, when Dr. Ueno did not return because he had suffered a stroke and died at the university. Hachiko was eighteen months old. The next day and for the next nine years, Hachiko returned to the station and waited for his beloved master before walking home, alone. Nothing and no one could discourage Hachiko from maintaining his nightly vigil. It was not until he followed his master in death, in March l934, that Hachiko failed to appear in his place at the railroad station.

Hachiko was sent to homes of relatives or friends, but he always continued to await his master, who was never to return, at the train station.

The fidelity of Hachiko was known throughout Japan, owing to an article, “Faithful Old Dog Awaits Return of Master Dead for Seven Years” in the October 4, 1933 issue of Aashi Shinbun (Asahi News). Upon his death, newspaper stories led to the suggestion that a statue be erected in the station. Contributions the from the United States and other countries were received. Today, the statue of the Akita, Hachiko, pays silent tribute to the breed’s faithfulness and loyalty. A bronze statue of Hachiko was put up at his waiting spot outside the Shibuya railroad station, which is now probably the most popular rendezvous point in Shibuya. Hachiko was mounted and stuffed and is on now on display at the Tokyo Museum of Art.

Some facts and interesting information on Hachiko.

Hachikō (November 10, 1923–March 8, 1935), golden brown with cream color on upper face

Hachikō was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture

In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner’s life Hachikō saw him out from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend Hachiko was waiting.

Hachikō was loyal and every day for the NEXT NINE years he waited sitting there amongst the town’s folk at Shibuya Station waiting for his professor. The wife of the professor eventually moved away and didn’t take Hachiko with her. Hachiko lived outside, found scraps of food and kind locals gave him food also. The locals who witnessed this was so overwhelmed and moved by the love and loyalty of Hachiko. Every day without fail Hachiko would wait at the same spot at the same station for the Professor. Amazing!!

Hachikō died on March 8, 1935. He was found on a street in Shibuya. His heart was infected with filarial worms and 3-4 yakitori sticks were found in his stomach. His stuffed and mounted remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.

In April 1934, a bronze statue in his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, and Hachikō himself was present at its unveiling. The locals wanted to honour Hachiko. It reminded them of what was important in their lives. What should be important in everyone’s lives that a simple dog taught them.

The statue was recycled for the war effort during World War II. In 1948 The Society for Recreating the Hachikō Statue commissioned Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist who had since died, to make a second statue. The new statue, which was erected in August 1948, still stands and is an extremely popular meeting spot.

(took this from Hachiko - A Lesson in Eternal Friendship )

This is a wonderful quote that is inspirational to me right now and thought I share it here...