The Legend of Hachiko

Have you heard the story about Japan's most faithful dog Hachiko? It was very challenging for me to capture the essence of it in 30 seconds when I recorded it for MIX fm so now that I have the space, let me share with you the whole story about this incredible dog. I almost cried just reading about it.

Shibuya, Tokyo by night

Every morning, Hachiko sent his owner off at the front door and he would wait for him to return from work in the evening at the Shibuya train station. I'm not sure how Hachiko knew what time it was but he was always waiting at precisely the right time for his owner to return from work. This routine carried on for at least a year until his owner suffered a stroke a stroke and died at work. His dog, Hachiko was faithfully waiting for him at the train station not knowing that his owner would never return.

Shot of Hachiko

Hachiko was given away to be looked after by another family but he kept breaking out and was showing up again and again at his old house. He realised after some time that the owner was no longer living there so he went to wait for him at the train station every evening at that precise time.

Shibuya train platform

Hachiko was seen every evening without fail at the Shibuya train station waiting for that same train his owner used to return on. Hachiko continued to do this for 10 years until his death. The nation was moved by Hachiko's incredible loyalty and built a bronze statue in honour of him a year before Hachiko died. Interestingly, Hachiko himself was present during the unveiling ceremony.

Bronze statue of Hachiko

There was even a Japanese film made about Hachiko in 1987. And can you imagine, Richard Gere will be starring in a movie scheduled to be released this year about Hachiko!

Hachiko Exit of Shibuya Train Station

Shibuya train station is one of the busiest train stations not just in Japan, but the whole world and the legend of Hachiko lives on. His memory is etched forever in our hearts and minds. In fact, the exit he was always seen at is called the "Hachiko Exit"