The Hachiko Statue, Shibuya – and Where Else to Find Japan’s Most Loyal Dog

The tale of loyal pooch Hachiko is one of the most beloved stories in Japanese history. If you don’t know it, get your hankies out, and we’ll explain the basics (including why there’s a Hachiko statue in Shibuya). And once you love him too, we’ll reveal the other places you can see Hachiko in Tokyo.

The Shibuya Crossing is one of Tokyo’s most famous sites, and chances are you’ll visit it at least once on your trip to Japan, but just to the left of the famous crossing is another iconic Tokyo landmark – the Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Station.

Hundreds of people have their photos taken with this dog statue, but if you don’t know why, let us explain.

And if you do know why, did you know that it’s not the only Hachiko Statue in Tokyo, or even in Japan?

So, here we go…

Who Is Hachiko?

Let’s start at the beginning because it’s possible you don’t know the story of Hachiko and are wondering why so many people are posing with the statue of a dog in Shibuya – or even why there’s a statue of a dog at Shibuya Station.

I have to start with a spoiler, though (and get your tissues now). That headline needs to be rephrased as Who was Hachiko rather than Who is Hachiko as the loyal pooch is no longer with us.

But, in a nutshell. Hachiko was an Akita dog owned by a college professor called Hidesaburo Ueno who lived in Shibuya – although, at this point, our bestest boy was only called Hachi (the ko would be added later).

Every day, Professor Ueno would go to work at the Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) in Bunkyo City, catching the train from Shibuya Station, and, faithful Hachiko would come to meet his master at the station when his train came in at night – until, one day, Professor Ueno wasn’t on the train.

He had had a brain hemorrhage at work and died.

Now, this is the really sad bit. Hachiko didn’t accept his master’s death, and after being rehomed a few times, he eventually found his way back to an owner in Shibuya.

Once he did, every day he would go to the station at home time and wait for his master (although, it’s said he wasn’t always loved by the locals for it). He did this for nearly ten years until he died in 1935.

How Did The Hachiko Statue Come About?

The first statue of Hachiko was put up in 1934 after a newspaper article made the dog famous all over Japan.

He become a symbol of loyalty and the attitude of love for the family that all of Japan should aspire to – this is also when the ko was added to his name.

If you’re interested in linguistics, you might want to check out this excellent article on the Hachiko story and how he became Hachi-ko (the correct spelling) or Lord Hachi as it effectively translates.

Hachi-ko was at the unveiling of this statue but died about a year later of natural causes in Shibuya. And no, he didn’t die at the station but was found in a nearby side street.

However, when the Second World War broke out, Hachiko’s original statue was melted down – and used to make part of a train, so the statue you see today was remade in 1948 by artist Takeshi Ando – whose father had made the original statue.

How to Get to the Shibuya Hachiko Statue

The most famous Hachiko statue is just outside Shibuya Station, close to the famous Shibuya Scramble crosswalk, so to find it, first get the underground train to Shibuya.

Shibuya is very well-connected, so you can take a number of different lines, but the Yamanote Line has easy access to the gate to reach Hachiko.

Once you get there, look for signs for the Hachiko Exit

This reaffirms why I love Japan. Not only does Hachiko have his own exit named after him at the busy Shibuya station – it’s also lined with paw prints that you can follow.

All you need to do to find the statue is head toward the signs leading to the Hachiko Exit – and look for the paws on the ground.

Hopefully, they aren’t too worn away, as this picture was taken in 2018.

Another exit that will bring you out close to the Hachiko Statue is exit A8

When you get out of the station, you’ll be greeted by a sea of humanity.

The Hachiko statue is one of the most popular places to meet in Shibuya – which seems daft as it’s virtually impossible to find anyone in the crowds, but before you get swept up into the people and head off to find the statue, have a look at the wall to your right as there are a few more Hachiko details to find there.

Also, keep your eye on the ground for the Hachiko Manhole covers. Looking for fun manhole covers like this is one of our 21 small things not to miss out on in Japan.

The statue is located on the side of the square close to the road and on the left of the crossing.

If you want to get a picture without lots of other people in it, go early in the morning.

Other Hachiko Sights in Shibuya

Ride The Hachiko Bus

The cute Hachiko Bus departs from just behind the statue, and it can take you around the Shibuya area – for example, if you’re heading to the Meiji Shrine after your trip to the Hachiko Shibuya you can ride the Hachiko bus to get there.

It costs just 100 yen. There are four different routes, so ask the information office by Hachiko to check which one you should get on to your destination.

The Hachiko Compass

Located in a park on a Shibuya Rooftop, this took me quite a long time to spot.

It’s by artist Yasuhiro Suzuki, and it’s actually a bench in the shape of a compass – with a statue of Hachiko in the middle of it.

See more about the artist’s meaning for the design here.

This statue of Hachiko is a little smaller than the original, but it also has a lot fewer people around it!

You’ll find it on the rooftop Miyashita Park shopping mall. If you take the lift up there, head toward the right. The Compass is on the east side.

Beckoning Hachi

If you need a reason to visit the giant Don Quijote store in Shibuya, you could use visiting their cute and cartoonish Beckoning Hachi that greets those entering the store.

He’s not at the main entrance; instead, you’ll find him in front of the entrance located off Centre Gai.

The Happy Hachiko Statue

With the addition of the Hachiko Compass, there are now three official statues of Hachiko in Tokyo – and the happiest is located in the University of Tokyo campus in Bunkyo City where Hachiko’s owner Professor Ueno used to work.

This joyful sculpture is kind of like what would happen if there were a Sliding Doors version of Hachiko and he and the Professor had met again one more time.

The grounds where the statue is located are open to the public, so if you want to go and see the Hachiko story with a happy ending, then you can head here.

Look at his happy little face – how could you resist a trip to see him?

You’ll find it on the University of Tokyo Campus. Get the train to Todaimae Station and come out at exit 1.

Walk a little way south down the main road, and you’ll come to the Nou Seimon entrance that takes you into the University – don’t worry, it’s perfectly okay for you to be there.

The statue is easily found once you get inside.

You can easily combine this with a trip to the Yanaka district of Tokyo – which is more famous for cats than dogs, but, hey, all fluffy things are good fluffy things in my eyes.

The University grounds look particularly stunning when the autumn leaves turn yellow.

Where is Hachiko Buried?

Hachiko died of cancer and/or infection by parasites in Shibuya in 1935.

His ashes are buried with his master and mistress, Professor Ueno’s long-term partner Yaeko Sakano in Aoyama Cemetery in the Minamiyaoyama district of Tokyo – and, again, you can visit him.

Their grave is located close to the entrance and is marked on Google Maps.

You’ll find a small shrine to Hachiko inside the fence that surrounds it, where people leave dog treats and offerings. There’s often a dog statue there, but if there isn’t, it’s the small building that looks like a little house with a slanted mossy roof in the corner of the gravesite.

The nearest stations are Nogizaka or Gaimmae, which are both about a ten-minute walk away.

The cemetery is also famous for its cherry blossoms, so if you’re there in cherry blossom season you can pay your respects to Hachiko and admire the flowers at the same time.

Where are Hachiko’s Remains?

His grave is not the only place you find the remains of Hachiko.

Before Hachiko was cremated, his skin was removed, and if you go to the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, you can see how the loyal dog would actually have looked.

He’s in a case with Jiro, another of Japan’s famous dogs. Jiro and another dog, Taro, survived a whole year in Antarctica – alone.

They were stuck there when a second team of researchers supposed to come to their base got held up – a year later, when researchers finally arrived at the base, they were surprised to see the two dogs still alive, and both are also enshrined in Japanese ‘good boi’ history.

And, if you’re really strange, his organs are on display in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Tokyo where Professor Ueno worked.

That one might be a bit too far on your holiday unless you’re a serious fan or studying to be a vet!

The Hachiko Tokyo Tour

If you want to see all the Hachiko sights in Tokyo in one day, here’s the best way to do it.

Head first to the main statue in Shibuya station – remember to look at the Hachiko Wall and the manholes (and keep an eye out for the Hachiko bus)

Then wander up to the Hachiko Compass.

Now come back to see the Beckoning Hachi – try to resist buying all of Don Quijote!

Once you’ve enjoyed the Hachiko sites in Shibuya, head back across the famous Shibuya Crossing to the station and jump on the Ginza Line to Gaiemmae Station and visit his grave.

Head back to Gaiemmae and back on the Ginza line to Ueno, where you can visit the Museum and see how Hachiko actually looked.

Then, lastly, restore your faith in the happiness and joy of the story by visiting the reunited pair at Tokyo University.

The quickest way to do this is to walk for 25 minutes – you’ll need Google Maps to get you there so make sure you’ve picked up a SIM card or portable wifi.

If you’d rather get the train, then you’ll need to take the Yamanote Line from Uguisudani Station to Komagome, then change to the Nambuko line to get to Todaimae Station.

Past Hachiko Sights

When we wrote the first version of this post, there were a few other Hachiko sights to visit in Shibuya – these seem to have disappeared, but I’ve kept them in here so you can see how important Hachiko the dog is to Japan.

Hachiko – the Holographic Version

In 2019, a new Hachiko attraction arrived in Shibuya.

Located on the 2nd Floor of the Tokyo Fukuras building, it was a holographic Hachiko who wore different outfits and went for a walk around the world.

It was very cute, but, unfortunately, he vanished (in a physical, rather just holographic) way before I could get to visit him – he’s now a Banksy art exhibition!

The Other Hachiko Statues in Shibuya

Last time I was in Tokyo, I found two other Hachiko statues in Shibuya alone.

There used to be a slightly wonky Hachiko outside Tower Records branch in Shibuya (that’s him above) – and another small one in the planter boxes that line the street close to the Disney Store.

If You’re in Tokyo on April 8th

Then, you might want to go to the ceremony that honors Hachiko in Shibuya.

It takes place at his statue, and there are decorations and speeches.

I can’t find an official website for the ceremony, but it’s suggested that it starts at 12.

If you want to see it, perhaps go to the Shibu Hachi Box in the square. This is actually a tourist information center and if anyone is going to know what time it starts, it’s them.

You can also find their email address here if you want to contact them before your trip.

While Ceremony Day is when Hachiko gets most gussied up with flowers and other offerings all around him, he also occasionally dons other outfits – I’ve seen pictures of him with a bow tie. Sometimes, he has a natty Santa hat at Christmas.

Where to Find Hachiko Outside of Tokyo

Hachiko was not born in Tokyo. He came from the city of Odate in Akita prefecture (where the dog’s breed got his name) and traveled by train to his new home in Shibuya.

As such, you’ll find some Hachiko statues in Odate, including a large one outside the station. Some of the manholes in the town are also Hachiko-themed.

There’s also an Akita Museum in Odate.

Sadly, the Hachiko bus (below) doesn’t take you there (I just wanted to show you how cute it is!).

Odate is about a five-hour journey by bullet train and then bus from Tokyo, so it is probably not something you’re going to want to do on a day trip, but if you love the story of Japan’s most famous dog and are in Japan for a little while use the Navitime app to plan your journey.

Hachiko Books and Movies For Before Your Trip

If you want to find out more about the story of Hachiko, there are several books and films you can dive into.

Hachiko Books

For the most in-depth analysis of the Hachiko story and lots of background details, read Hachiko: Solving Twenty Mysteries About The Most Famous Dog in Japan by Mayumi Ihto.

It’s available on Amazon here.

If you want to introduce your children to the story of Hachiko before your trip, then have a look at Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog by Pamela S Turner.

It’s aimed at children aged 4-7 – and it might be a good gift to keep them content on the plane on your outward trip.

Have a look at it here.

If you have older children, Hachiko Waits by Leslea Newman tells the story of Hachiko for children aged 8-10.

Again, it might be a good introduction to Japan for on the plane – remembering the sad ending!

Have a look at it here.

Hachiko Films

The most truthful film on Hachiko is said to be Hachiko Monogatari.

It’s only in Japanese and sold on Japanese DVD, so you’ll need a multi-region DVD player if you want to see it.

But, you can buy it here.

The best-known film inspired by him is Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, starring Richard Gere.

You can rent it to watch via Amazon film.

Hachiko Blogs

If you do love the film, also look at Vicki Wong and Hachi, a website set up by the creator of the film, which gives lots of details about the filming and the animals that played Hachi.

So, there you have it – the story of Japan’s most loyal dog and a quick guide to all the Hachiko sights in Tokyo. I hope you enjoy finding them.

Sharing is caring!