‘Homesick Hachiko’

The statuary stands in front of the Akita Pet Gallery (not to be confused with the Akita Pet Visitor Facility), simply outside Keijō Park. While it is open from 9 AM to 4 PM, the statue can be seen in any way times. It is not the only Hachi-themed public artwork in Ōdate; see the city’s main web site for additional information.

In 1977, the Akita Inu Conservation Society started a museum in Ōdate, next to the Keijō castle site park. Twenty-seven years later, in 2004, a brand-new statuary of Hachiko was installed outside this museum. It reuses a stand as soon as inhabited by a bronze statuary of Hachi which was lost throughout World War II, melted down, and surrendered as scrap steel. Entitled Homesick Hachiko or Hachiko Hoping for Home, it portrays Hachi seeking out as if to welcome the long-awaited return of his master.

Hachi, additionally referred to as Hachiko, is probably among the best-known pets– or historical numbers, even– in Japan. He notoriously awaited his master outside Shibuya Terminal for a years after his fatality, ending up being a sign of loyalty. Currently a sculpture of Hachiko bases on the place, a legendary meet-up spot in Tokyo.

After a 20-hour train adventure, Hachi arrived in Tokyo and spent a year with Ueno before he passed away of a cerebral hemorrhage. Hachi kept waiting and waiting for Ueno, however usually bullied and abused by passersby.