Hachikō is a very famous dog known for his loyalty and love. He became well-known not just in Japan but around the world. He was born in 1923 and adopted by a professor named Hidesaburō Ueno. The professor and Hachikō lived in Tokyo, and every day, Hachikō would wait for his owner at the train station. Sadly, one day, the professor didn’t come back because he passed away. Even after that, Hachikō kept waiting for him. Now, we have some special pictures of Hachikō to share with you.

Hachikō’s name is known by people from all around the world

He went down in history as the most loyal pet

This went on for the next nine years, nine months, and fifteen days—Hachikō would patiently wait for his owner at the same train station every day. Each day, at the same time, that Hidesaburō Ueno’s train was due at the station.

After his owner’s death in 1925, Hachikō would still wait for him every day at the train station

Hachikō would go there every day at the same time that his owner would have come back after work

People who traveled on the train noticed the cute dog, especially those who had seen him and his owner, Hidesaburō, walking together from the station. At first, not everyone was friendly. However, things changed on October 4, 1932, when the first article about Hachikō was published. After that, many people all over the country started paying attention to Hachikō. People would often bring him food and treats. You can see pictures of the loyal Akita in old photos from various publications at that time.

In 1932, the first article was published about the loyal pet in a national newspaper

The article was written by one of Hidesaburō Ueno’s former students. The student was writing a thesis on the Akita breed of dogs and upon seeing one of such at the station, he followed Hachikō home—to Kuzaboro Kobayashi, the former gardener of the late professor. The student learned the life story of Hachikō from Kuzaboro and shortly thereafter published a documented census of Akitas in Japan. According to the research, only 30 purebred Akitas remained living in Japan, one of whom was Hachikō from Shibuya Station.

People would come to Shibuya Station to pet Hachikō and bring him treats

The story goes that the former student visited Hachikō frequently and, over the course of years, published several articles on the dog and his remarkable loyalty. Soon enough, Hachikō became a nationwide sensation. The Japanese were deeply impressed and touched by Hachikō’s everlasting love and loyalty. Across the country, Hachikō became the prime example of family loyalty, as taught by teachers and parents to kids.

The ever-loving dog was used as an example of loyalty for children

Hachikō became a national treasure

In 1934, the devoted Akita Hachikō was immortalized in the form of a bronze statue sculpted by noted Japanese artist Teru Ando. Sadly, during World War II, it was used up for metal. However, in 1948, due to the efforts of the sculptor’s son, a second statue of the loyal Akita emerged and still remains standing. Today, the entrance to the station next to the statue is named “Hachikō-guchi,” which translates roughly as “The Hachikō Entrance/Exit.”

Sadly, a year later, the good boy died

After waiting for his owner’s return for a decade, Hachikō died on March 8, 1935. At the time, the loving dog was 11 years old. Only in 2011 were scientists able to finally determine the cause of Hachikō’s death—apparently, the good boy had terminal cancer and a filaria infection.

He was buried next to his owner

After the death of Hachikō, his remains were cremated and his ashes buried in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo. The loyal friend was placed next to the grave of his beloved owner Professor Ueno. The good boy’s fur was preserved and stuffed to appear on permanent display at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.

His fur was stuffed to appear on permanent display at the National Science Museum of Japan