Hachikō is a dog that has captured the hearts of people all over the globe. His story is a testament to loyalty and neverending love. Born on a farm in Japan in 1923, this golden-brown, pure-bred Akita was adopted by Professor Hidesaburō Ueno. Together, they lived in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Every day, Hachikō would accompany his owner to the train station and eagerly wait for him to return. They had a routine that never faltered. But one day, tragedy struck. On May 21, 1925, Professor Ueno passed away suddenly, leaving Hachikō waiting for a master who would never come home. Despite this heartbreak, Hachikō continued to wait at the train station every day, just as he had when his owner was alive.
Word spread quickly about the loyal dog who faithfully awaited his owner. Commuters at the train station began to notice Hachikō and the bond he shared with Professor Ueno. But it wasn’t until October 4, 1932, when the first article about Hachikō was published, that the world truly learned of his extraordinary story. From that point on, Hachikō’s tale captured the attention of the nation, and people started showering him with love, food, and treats
The heartwarming story of Hachikō reached even greater heights when one of Professor Ueno’s former students wrote an article about him. This student had been researching the Akita breed of dogs and encountered Hachikō at the train station. Curiosity led him to Hachikō’s new caretaker, Kuzaboro Kobayashi, who shared the untold details of the loyal dog’s life. The student published a census documenting Akitas in Japan, revealing that only 30 purebred Akitas remained, one of them being none other than Hachikō.
Hachikō’s story continued to touch the hearts of the Japanese people. He became a symbol of loyalty and family values, taught by parents and teachers to their children. In 1934, a bronze statue was erected in his honor, sculpted by renowned Japanese artist Teru Ando. Although the original statue was lost during World War II, a second statue was created in 1948 and still stands today at the entrance of Shibuya Station.
Sadly, Hachikō’s unwavering loyalty came to an end on March 8, 1935. The faithful dog passed away at the age of 11 due to terminal cancer and a filaria infection. He was laid to rest beside his beloved owner, Professor Ueno, in Aoyama Cemetery, Tokyo.
Although Hachikō is no longer with us, his memory lives on. His fur was carefully preserved and is now on display at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo. Hachikō’s name will forever be remembered as a symbol of loyalty, love, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their furry companions.
