- Address: Inokashira Dori Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0041, Japan
- Year of Foundation: 1934
One of the nicest and most famous statues in Tokyo belongs to the dog Hatiko, whose history is known not by hearsay far beyond the borders of the country. Photo of a monument to the Hachiko dog in Japan is very often seen on magnets and souvenirs of Tokyo, which is a testament to the great love and veneration of the people.
The history of a devoted dog
Hachiko's dog was born on November 10, 1923, and was given to be brought up by a professor at the Tokyo University named Hidesaburo Ueno. He was the 8th pet by the owner, so he was called Hatiko (this word is translated from Japanese as "the eighth"). Every day the dog saw off its owner to the city, to Shibuya station, and then met him on the way back in the afternoon. In mid-May 1925 the professor had a heart attack, he died almost immediately at work. But even after the owner's death the dog continued to come to the station.
History of the monument
The statue of Khatiko from bronze was first established on April 21, 1934. At her opening was present the dog Hatiko. He was then 11 years old and 4 months old. A year later Khatiko died, and in Japan a day of national mourning was declared. During the Second World War, the statue had to be re-melted for the needs of the Japanese army, and after the war, in August 1948, the monument was re-installed at Shibuya Station. Today he embodies the memory of a devoted dog and is an example of selfless love. This is the most popular meeting place for young people in the city.
The remains of Hatiko partially buried in the cemetery of Aoyama, in the Tokyo district of Minato-ku. The other part is in the form of a stuffed dog in the National Museum of Science in the metropolitan area of Ueno . In addition, Khatiko takes pride of place in the virtual cemetery of pets in Japan.
What is remarkable about the monument of Khatiko?
The statue of Hachiko in Shibuya has long become a cult place, where everything is permeated with the memory of that long history of immeasurable devotion to the dog. The story with Hachiko was widely publicized after the publication in 1932 in a Tokyo newspaper of a large note about the tragedy and the amazing behavior of the dog. By that time, many people already knew about her, who had been at the Shibuya station in those years. Khatiko became a true popular favorite, and in the future - a hero of several adaptations, which received great recognition from the public around the world.
How to get there?
You will find a monument to the Hachiko dog in Japan near the capital railway station Shibuya.
The monument can be reached on foot from the station in Tokyo , as it is located just a few steps from it.