Hachikō (ハチ公), an Akita dog born on November 10, 1923, in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, Japan, became a national symbol of loyalty and devotion.
He was adopted by Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, who was a professor at the University of Tokyo. The two formed a deep bond, and Hachikō would accompany his master to Shibuya Station every morning and return in the afternoon to greet him after work.
After Professor Hidesaburō Ueno passed away unexpectedly in May 1925, Hachikō continued his routine of walking to Shibuya Station every evening to wait for his master’s return. He did this every single day for over nine years, always arriving at the exact time the professor used to return from work. Even as the seasons changed and the professor never came back, Hachikō never gave up.
Commuters and workers at Shibuya Station began noticing the dog waiting day after day in the same spot. Curious at first, they soon learned of his story. Many were deeply moved and started bringing him food and water. He became a beloved fixture at the station and earned the nickname “Chūken Hachikō” (忠犬ハチ公) which means “Faithful Dog Hachikō.”
In 1932, a former student of Professor Ueno wrote an article about Hachikō in one of Tokyo’s major newspapers. The story captured the hearts of the Japanese people, turning Hachikō into a national icon. His loyalty became a moral lesson, especially admired during a time when traditional values were being challenged by modernization.
A bronze statue of Hachikō was unveiled at Shibuya Station in April 1934, while Hachikō was still alive. He was actually present at the ceremony! The statue was sculpted by Teru Ando and quickly became a popular meeting point in Tokyo.
Although the original statue was melted down during World War II, a new one was commissioned and reinstalled in 1948, where it still stands today as one of Tokyo’s most beloved landmarks.
Hachikō passed away near Shibuya Station. His death made front-page news, and people across Japan mourned. His body was preserved and is on display at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, while a portion of his remains were buried next to Professor Ueno at Aoyama Cemetery, reuniting them at last.

In 2015, on the 80th anniversary of Hachikō’s death, a new bronze statue was erected at the University of Tokyo, showing Hachikō joyfully jumping up to greet Professor Ueno. This statue gave emotional closure to the story that had inspired generations.
“He waited every day, no matter the weather, for a man who would never return. That’s not just loyalty—it’s love in its purest form.”
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
“They called him a dog. But his loyalty made him more human than most.”
