HACHIKO

Hachikō is a dog famous for his loyalty. In 1924, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno at the University of Tokyo took Hachikō, as a pet.

Ueno would commute daily to work, and Hachikō would leave the house to greet him at the end of each day at the nearby Shibuya Station. Ueno and Hachikō continued the daily routine until May 1925, when Ueno did not return. Each day, for the next nine years, nine months and fifteen days, Hachikō awaited Ueno’s return.

Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people at the station saw Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. Some people who were working at the station were not friendly towards Hachikō at first. However, after the article about him on October 4, 1932 was published, people started to bring food during his wait at the station.

Hachikō died on March 8, 1935 at the age of 11. He was found on a street in Shibuya.

During his lifetime, the dog was held up in Japanese culture as an example of loyalty and fidelity. In Japanese, Hachikō is known as “faithful dog Hachikō”, hachi meaning “eight” and kō meaning “affection”. After his death, he continues to be remembered in worldwide popular culture, with statues, movies, books, and appearances in various media.