Hachiko: The True Story of the World's Most Loyal Dog
Updated 14 October 2026
In short: Hachiko was an Akita dog born in November 1923 near Ōdate, Japan. His owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, died suddenly on 21 May 1925. For nearly ten years, Hachiko went back to Shibuya station in Tokyo almost every day, at the time the professor used to come home. He died on 8 March 1935, aged 11. His statue outside the station has become a worldwide symbol of loyalty, and his story inspired the film Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) starring Richard Gere.
Who was Hachiko?
Hachiko was born around 10 November 1923 on a farm near Ōdate, in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan. In January 1924, the puppy was sent to Tokyo to Hidesaburō Ueno, an agriculture professor at the Imperial University of Tokyo and a great dog lover.
His name comes from hachi (八), meaning "eight" in Japanese; the suffix -kō is an affectionate term that became common once he was famous. Some say his front legs looked like the character, but the exact origin of the name is debated.
Why did Hachiko wait at Shibuya station?
Every day, the professor took the train from Shibuya station to the university, and Hachiko came to meet him on his return. On 21 May 1925, Ueno died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage at work. He never came home.
Hachiko was passed among several relatives, then to the family's gardener, Kikusaburō Kobayashi, who lived about a twenty-minute walk from the station. From there, the dog went back to Shibuya almost every day, at the time the train came in. He kept this up for nearly ten years. Station staff and shopkeepers ended up feeding him and looking out for him.
Loyalty or habit? Behaviour researchers point out that dogs are very sensitive to routines and to places linked with a loved one. Whether you see loyalty or attachment to a ritual, the story shows how strong the bond between a dog and its human can be.
Timeline: from birth to legend
- Nov 1923Born near Ōdate (Akita).
- Jan 1924Arrives in Tokyo at Professor Ueno's.
- 21 May 1925The professor dies suddenly. The waiting begins.
- 1931The Akita breed is designated a Natural Monument of Japan.
- 4 Oct 1932An Asahi Shimbun article makes his story known nationwide.
- 21 April 1934His bronze statue by Teru Andō is unveiled outside the station, with Hachiko present.
- 8 March 1935Hachiko dies in a Shibuya street, aged 11.
- 1948The statue, melted down during the war, is recast by Takeshi Andō, the first sculptor's son.
- 2015A statue of Hachiko reunited with the professor is unveiled at the University of Tokyo.
True or false: what people say about Hachiko
Hachiko waited for his owner for exactly 10 years.
FALSEAlmost: from May 1925 to March 1935 is 9 years and 10 months.
Hachiko attended the unveiling of his own statue.
TRUEYes, on 21 April 1934, almost a year before he died.
He died from swallowing yakitori skewers.
FALSESkewers were found in his stomach, but an analysis of his organs published in 2011 showed he had cancer and a severe heartworm infection.
You can still see Hachiko today.
TRUEHe was preserved and is displayed at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo. Some of his remains rest in Aoyama Cemetery, next to the professor's grave.
The film Hachi: A Dog's Tale tells the story as it happened.
IT DEPENDSIt is a 2009 American adaptation set in a small US town. The Japanese film Hachikō Monogatari (1987) is closer to the facts.
Where can you see Hachiko's statue?
- Shibuya station, Tokyo: the most famous statue, outside the exit named after him ("Hachikō-guchi"). It is one of Japan's best-known meeting points. A memorial ceremony is held every 8 March.
- Ōdate station: his home town honours him with several statues.
- University of Tokyo: since 2015, a statue shows Hachiko leaping up to greet Professor Ueno.
The Akita Inu, Hachiko's breed
The Akita is a spitz-type dog from northern Japan, powerful, with a tail curled over its back. It is known for being calm, reserved with strangers and deeply attached to its family. It is also independent and needs consistent training and early socialisation. Thanks to Hachiko, the breed became famous worldwide.
Walking an Akita: it is a strong dog, often not keen on heelwork. A size L or XL Y-shaped anti-pull harness helps you keep control without pressure on the neck.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hachiko a true story?
Yes. Hachiko really existed: he was born in 1923, lived in Tokyo with Professor Ueno and waited at Shibuya station after his death, from 1925 to 1935. His story was covered by the Japanese press at the time.
How long did Hachiko wait?
About 9 years and 10 months, from the professor's death on 21 May 1925 until his own death on 8 March 1935.
What did Hachiko die of?
According to an analysis published in 2011, he had cancer and a heartworm infection. The skewers found in his stomach did not cause his death.
Where is Hachiko's statue?
Outside Shibuya station in Tokyo, at the Hachikō exit. Other statues stand in Ōdate, his home town, and at the University of Tokyo.
Which film tells Hachiko's story?
Hachikō Monogatari (1987), a Japanese film by Seijirō Kōyama, and Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009), the American remake by Lasse Hallström starring Richard Gere.
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