This is the story of Hachikō
To all dog lovers. Please share your travel photos with him❤️
This is the story of Hachikō, an Akita dog born on November 10, 1923, in Japan. He was purchased by Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor at the University of Tokyo. Ueno named him Hachi, meaning “eight,” a lucky number in Japan, and the pair quickly became inseparable. Each day, Hachi accompanied Ueno to Shibuya Station for his commute and returned to greet him in the evening. This routine continued until May 21, 1925, when Ueno tragically passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage during a lecture.
Despite Ueno’s passing, Hachi continued his daily visits to the station, waiting faithfully for his owner. He lived with various caretakers, including Ueno’s former gardener, but always returned to Shibuya Station to wait. In 1932, a former student of Ueno’s wrote an article about Hachi’s unwavering vigil, capturing public attention. The dog became a national symbol of loyalty, and “-ko,” a suffix denoting respect, was added to his name, making him Hachikō. Visitors to the station began to recognize and care for him, offering him pets and treats.
In 1934, a statue of Hachikō was erected at Shibuya Station, with Hachikō himself attending the unveiling ceremony. He passed away the following year at the age of 11. Since 1936, a ceremony has been held annually at Shibuya Station to honor his loyalty. Hachikō’s ashes were interred beside Ueno’s in Tokyo, symbolizing their long-awaited reunion. Hachikō waited nine years, nine months, and fifteen days for his beloved owner, and for his remarkable perseverance and loyalty, he earns the highest praise❤️.