Hachiko
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Why go
- The dog statue itself, which stands on the site of the first one, melted down in the war
- Shibuya Crossing, which the statue faces, known for its diagonal crossing
- The Hachikō Exit, the west station exit where the dog waited
- The ticket gates at Shibuya Station, where the dog waited when each train was due
About the work
- Artist
- Teru Andō made the first statue; his son Andō Takeshi made the second
- Material
- Bronze (first statue)
Interesting facts4
Shorts
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Hachikō: the true story of the dog of Shibuya stationRetold Stories
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Hachiko: the dog who showed up to the unveiling of his own statueStrange But True Show
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Hachiko: The Dog Who Waited Almost 10 YearsRastro Peludo English
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Akita icons: Kantō lanterns and Hachiko's breedJapan in Layers
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Hachiko: The Dog Who Waited 9 YearsTheWildFiles
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Hachiko: The Dog Who Waited 10 Years at Shibuya StationWatsUpDawg
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The Hachiko Statue in Tokyo Isn't the OriginalJapan Kataribe
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Hachiko waited at the same station for almost ten yearsMost Beautiful Pets
Photo spots
- The statue with its drooping earThe sculptor chose a realistic look, with a drooping left ear. The statue was well received at the exhibition, though the choice drew some criticism.In front of Shibuya Station, on the west side at Hachikō Exit On the map
History
In 1924 his owner, a university professor named Hidesaburō Ueno, took him to live in Shibuya. Each day the dog met him at the station after work. After his owner died at work, the dog kept returning to the station to wait for him, for nearly ten years. Many station workers, vendors and passengers mistreated him as a stray, while some vendors fed him. After a 1932 article in The Asahi Shimbun, the -kō suffix in his name became common, and his loyalty became a national symbol. Wartime copper shortages led to the first statue being melted down. A second statue was placed on the same site in 1948.
- 1923Born on a farm near Ōdate, Akita Prefecture.
- 1924Collected at Ueno Station in Tokyo and taken to Shibuya as a pet.
- 1925His owner dies at work, and the dog keeps returning to Shibuya Station to wait for him.
- 1932A newspaper article makes the dog famous across the country.
- 1933A straw-lined wooden bed is built at the station to shelter him from the winter cold.
Show all
- 1934A bronze statue is set up on the west side of the station; the dog attends the unveiling.
- 1935He is found dead on a street in Shibuya, and the news spreads nationwide.
- 2011A research team finds that he had lung and heart cancer.
Legends and hidden details
- Legend has it that the name Hachi came from forepaws shaped like the kanji for eight.
- Legend has it that around 1931 or 1932 he found a thief a policeman had lost in the station crowd.
Best time to visit
- March 8: a remembrance ceremony for the dog is held at the statue, in front of Shibuya Station, every year.
Sources: Hachikō - Wikipedia · Tokyo/Shibuya - Wikivoyage (see) · Hachikō - Wikipedia · Hachikō - Wikipedia · checked 20 Oct 2026
- Phone
- 0334632376
Questions and answers
Where is the Hachikō statue in Shibuya?
The statue stands in front of Shibuya Station, on the west side, facing Shibuya Crossing.
How do I find the Hachikō statue at Shibuya Station?
Take the west station exit, which is officially called Hachikō Exit. The statue stands in front of the station, facing Shibuya Crossing.
When is the Hachikō remembrance ceremony held?
A remembrance ceremony for Hachikō is held at the statue, in front of Shibuya Station, every year on March 8.
Is the Hachikō statue a popular place to meet?
Yes. It is the most popular meeting spot for dates at Shibuya Station, and the prime meeting place before a night out.
Can you see Hachikō's body at the statue?
No. His stuffed body is kept in a national museum in the Ueno district. The mount has both ears up, while the statue shows the drooping left ear.
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