27/07/2015
Faithful dog Hachiko
Shibuya is one of the fashion centres of Japan today. There is a dog statue outside the train
station. Do you know the story behind the statue?
It was about a dog called Hachiko. He was born in 1923. Later, he was kept by Professor
Ueno, who lived in Shibuya. Hachiko saw his master off at the front door and then went to
the station to wait for him at 3 p.m. every day. However, on 21 May, 1925, Hachiko arrived
at the station at three as usual but he could not see his master. Professor Ueno had died in his
office on that day
Hachiko was very loyal. He returned to the station daily
at 3 p.m. in order to meet the professor, day after day
and month after month. The months finally turned to
years. People took pity on him and gave him some food.
The story spread across the city. Some people travelled to
Shibuya to see him, feed him or gently touch his head to
show their support.
Finally on March 7, 1934, almost ten years after the
death of the professor, the 11-year-old dog died outside
the station.
Hachiko’s story was published in a newspaper. People
decided to put up a statue for him. Today, the statue has
become a famous place in Shibuya where hundreds of
people sit and wait for their friends.
