Hachiko

Hachiko: The Eternal Symbol of Loyalty

Hachiko’s story is one of the most touching examples of loyalty in history. He was a golden-brown Akita puppy, born in 1923 in Ōdate, Japan, and given the name Hachi after the lucky number eight.

Hachiko belonged to Professor Hidesaburō Ueno of Tokyo Imperial University. Every day, Hachiko walked with his master to Shibuya Station in the morning and returned in the evening to greet him. This routine showed the deep bond between them.

Tragically, in May 1925, Professor Ueno died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage while teaching. Though his master never came back, Hachiko kept waiting at Shibuya Station every single day for nearly ten years, until his own death in 1935.

At first, people treated Hachiko poorly, but his story gained attention when Hirokichi Saito, a dog preservation advocate, wrote about him in a newspaper. Soon, the public admired Hachiko’s devotion, and the respectful suffix “-ko” was added to his name.

In 1934, while Hachiko was still alive, a bronze statue was built at Shibuya Station in his honor—something rarely done for a living animal. When he died at age 11, Hachiko had already become a national symbol of loyalty in Japan.

Today, Hachiko is remembered worldwide through statues, books, and films. His statue at Shibuya Station remains a popular meeting spot, and several other monuments exist across Tokyo.

Hachiko’s story is more than just about a dog—it shows the purest form of love and loyalty, a devotion that continued even after death. His memory still inspires people everywhere as a symbol of eternal faithfulness.