The Story of Hachikõ 忠犬ハチ公

Black and white photograph of an Akita dog sitting outdoors.

Bronze statue of a dog sitting, surrounded by blurred figures and greenery in the background.

Monument at Shibuya Station

Hachikõ in 1934

(actual location in Tokyo, Japan, where Hachikõ waited for his master)

Hachikõ, an Akita Inu, a breed of dog that originates in Northern Japan, was respected and loved in Japan due to his deep loyalty to his master.

Inspired by the story of Hachikõ, sculptor Teru Ando erected a bronze statue of Hachikõ at the Shibuya Station in Tokyo on April 21,1934. The location is a popular Tokyo meeting place, with the statue now symbolizing the commitment and love of people who meet there. The original statue was melted down for use in World War II. The Society for Recreating the Hachikõ Statue was formed, with sculptor Takeshi Ando, son of the original sculptor, commissioned to make a second statue, which was later unveiled in 1948.

A man kneeling in front of a tan and white Akita dog, holding a yellow ball, against a brick background.

In 2009, the Woonsocket Depot in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, became the primary set for the movie “Hachi: A Dog's Tale”. Starring Hollywood icon Richard Gere, and directed by Lasse Hallström, the movie, released in January 2011, was a remake of the 1987 Japanese original film and is based on the true story about a dog's loyalty to the Professor who adopted him. The faithful dog's loyalty became a national symbol in Japan and the USA. Several books have also been written about the story.

The Hachi Movie Trail

(a self-driving tour through the movie locations for "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" at the Woonsocket Train Depot in RI)

Darren Hussey, a sculptor and owner of All Classics Ltd. visited Japan and experienced the Hachikõ culture. Impressed by the original sculpture and the message behind it, he returned home to make one of his own. The sculpture was put up for sale on Ebay and was later purchased by Dr. Pilkington of the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts in Woonsocket. When the school experienced bankruptcy and the City of Woonsocket came to their rescue, the purchased sculpture was presented as to the city as a token of appreciation.

Statue of Hachiko, a loyal dog, on a stone pedestal with a sign in Japanese and English in front of a brick building and greenery.

Woonsocket Train Depot

One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI

This monument was gifted to the citizens of Woonsocket by the students of the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts due to the loyalty displayed by the city to their school. It was installed on May 19th, 2012 at One Depot Square in Woonsocket, RI.

Dedicated by:

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Mayor Leo Fontaine of the City of Woonsocket
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Beacon Charter High School for the Arts
Takeshi Hikihara, Consulate-General of Japan in Boston
Koichi Hoshino, Vice President of the Hachiko Statue Maintenance
Committee representing the Mayor of Shibuya Japan
Rhode Island Film Commission

The event was a huge success in Woonsocket and due to the interest in and fascination with the story, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and other stakeholders dedicated themselves to using the event to expose the Japanese culture in and to the US.

Today the Council maintains the integrity of the Hachikõ Monument, continues to pay tribute to the creation of the film at the Depot and promotes this area as a tourist attraction.