Hachi: A Dog’s Tale – A True Story of Loyalty

In 2009, a new blockbuster hit the movie theater screens entitled Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a true story of loyalty, a movie about a man’s bond with an abandoned dog he decides to take in. What many theater-goers failed to realize was that the 90 minutes of entertainment that lay before them was based on the heartwrenching real life story of a dog called Hachiko who lived in Tokyo, Japan in the 1920′s and 1930′s.

Hachiko, a Japanese Akita, lived up to the notion that dog really is man’s best friend. Faithful to his owner, a professor at the University of Tokyo, Hachiko would walk to meet his lifelong partner at the entrance to the Shibuya train station, now one of the busiest in the world with over 2.5 million passengers traveling through each day, at the end of each work day.

One day in 1925, the professor did not show up at Shibuya Station one evening. Confused, Hachiko sat waiting for him, but he did not arrive. Hidesaburo Ueno had died that day following a brain hemorrhage. Ever the faithful dog, Hachiko never gave up hope, returning to his usual spot night after night for the next 9 years.

During this time, Hachiko became well known to the local commuters traveling through the station, and his loyalty made him a renowned Tokyo figure. Although Hachiko died in 1935, he is far from forgotten. His remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan and, more famously, a monument outside Shibuya Station is a top tourist attraction in central Tokyo today, although the sculpture can be difficult to access due to the huge crowds of Japanese cosplayers that surround the station’s courtyard.

It’s not just the Japanese who continue to keep Hachiko’s spirit alive, with Hollywood getting in on the act with their 2009 movie starring Richard Gere, the silver screen grabbing a piece of the action with references in many popular TV shows including Futurama and even Playstation and Nintendo games featuring the popular, ever loyal pup.

Hachiko continues to capture hearts all around the world, despite his death more than 70 years ago. Shibuya Station transforms from a major hub of lively activity each year on April 8th as the spot this faithful friend spent his last days becomes a place of remembrance and quiet prayer. Hachiko has also been honored by the Japanese media, with an exhibition of unseen photos from his life displayed is in Shibuya museum throughout 2012.