Hachiko The Dog, a National Hero, is Honored With a Memorial.
A bronze statue of Hachiko, the Akita dog whose story is well-known in Japan, stands next to Shibuya Train Station in Tokyo. Hidesaburo Ueno adopted him in 1923, and the two of them were inseparable for the next two years. It was a daily ritual for Hachiko to wait for Ueno at the Shibuya train station when he returned from work.
When Ueno didn’t return one day, this was their ritual. After Ueno’s death at work, Hachiko was left without a guardian. Despite being given to new owners, the dog returned to Shibuya train station and waited for Ueno for another nine years! People all over Japan were moved by the story of his dedication and loyalty, which was published. Hachiko became a household name, even attending the dedication of his own statue! – until he died peacefully in 1935.