Hachiko was a real dog, he belonged to a Tokyo University professor named Eisaburo Ueno in the 1920’s. Hachiko is remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, even many years after his owner's death. In 1924, Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo, took in Hachiko, a golden brown Akita, as a pet. During his owner's life, Hachiko greeted him at the end of each day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return. The professor had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage and died, never returning to the train station where Hachiko was waiting. Every day for the next nine years the dog waited at Shibuya station.
Hachiko attracted the attention of other commuters. They brought Hachiko treats and food to nourish him during his wait. This continued for nine years with Hachiko appearing precisely when the train was due at the station until he died on March 8, 1935. In April 1934, a bronze statue in his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, and Hachiko himself was present at its unveiling. The statue was recycled for the war effort during World War II. The new statue, which was erected in August 1948, still stands and is an extremely popular meeting spot.
Each year on April 8, Hachiko's devotion is honored with a solemn ceremony of remembrance at Tokyo's Shibuya railroad station. Hundreds of dog lovers often turn out to honor his memory and loyalty
