Hachiko Monument

Hachiko the dog has long been associated with people around the world as a symbol of boundless devotion and love. Hachiko's story begins in Japan, where a memorial to the famous dog has been erected. The Hachiko monument attracts countless tourists every day.

The Story of Hachiko

The real Hachiko was born on November 10, 1923.

Many people know about Hachiko from the film of the same name starring Richard Gere. But the real story of this faithful animal is somewhat different from the Hollywood hit.

The puppy was given to the home of university professor Hidesaburo Ueno, who at the time already had seven other animals at home, so the puppy was named Hachiko, which means "eighth" in Japanese.

The dog became so attached to his owner that he took to walking him into town to Shibuya Station every day, and then, in the evening, faithfully waiting for his return in the same place.

But in 1925, tragedy struck. The professor died unexpectedly of a heart attack. It happened right at work. However, Hachi did not give up hope of waiting for his master, so after his death, he regularly returned to his usual place at the station and waited.

Soon, others learned of the dog's unusual devotion. Residents of nearby houses, shopkeepers, and station workers took notice of Hachikō. They tried to return the dog to his relatives and find new homes, but the dog stubbornly returned to his previous home. In 1932, a newspaper article about Hachikō was published.

Hati died in 1935. The dog's remains were buried with his beloved owner. A year earlier, it was decided to erect a monument to the most loyal dog on the planet.

What does the monument look like?

Many have visited the legendary monument, especially after watching the film "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale"

The first version of the pedestal was erected in 1934 at the exit of Shibuya Station. Hachi personally attended the event. Unfortunately, the monument was melted down during World War II.

In 1948, it was decided to return this Tokyo landmark to its original location. The new version of the monument was somewhat smaller than the original. The inconspicuous bronze dog was placed on a high pedestal with the inscription "The Faithful Dog Hachiko."

Where is it located?

If you suddenly find yourself in Tokyo and decide to find the Hachi monument, it will be easy to do so. Pedestal located near the exit of Shibuya StationYou'll likely notice a crowd of tourists around the pedestal, eager to take a photo with the legendary Hati.

The famous story of Hachiko, the most devoted friend, has moved millions of people around the world to tears. But few know that the main character of this drama really existed, and that a monument was erected in his honor.