Hachiko was an Akita owned by Tokyo professor Hidesaburo Ueno. From 1924 the dog walked daily to Shibuya Station to meet his owner returning from work. When Ueno died of a stroke in 1925, Hachiko continued the daily wait — at the same exit, at the same time — for nine years and nine months until his own death in 1935. The bronze statue was erected in 1934 (replaced after WWII metal-shortage scrap), and his story made him the national symbol of loyalty.
What to Expect
Exit Shibuya Station via the Hachiko Exit (the busiest exit, signposted in English) and the statue is on a small fenced plaza directly out the door. Allow 5 minutes — line up for a photo, read the bilingual plaque, and watch hundreds of locals use it as a meeting point. Average wait: 40+ rotations of human meet-ups per hour.
For Hachiko’s actual remains: he’s preserved as a taxidermy mount at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno (free admission to that hall, ¥630 for the full museum). His grave is in Aoyama Cemetery, alongside his owner.
Consider This Instead
For a more solemn and historically rich monument visit, head to Saigo Takamori statue at Ueno Park in Ueno Park — the ‘last samurai’ of Meiji-era Japan with his dog, in a quieter setting and with proper context. For Hachiko’s actual taxidermy, the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno has him preserved.
How to Get There
Getting There
From Anywhere on JR Yamanote
- 1Take JR Yamanote Line → Shibuya Station
- 2Exit Hachiko Exit → statue plaza
Tips
- Combine with Shibuya Crossing. 30-second walk; the two together fill 30 minutes total.
- Sunrise photo. 06:00–08:00 the plaza is empty; afternoon there’s always a queue for the photo angle.
- The taxidermy mount. Free admission hall at National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno; check before going as exhibits rotate.
- Aoyama Cemetery grave. 20 min by metro from Shibuya; for serious Hachiko fans only — small grave, owner buried alongside.
FAQ
Is Hachiko statue worth a special visit?
Not as a destination by itself — it’s a 5-minute pilgrimage. But you’re passing through Shibuya for the Crossing anyway; the statue is a 30-second walk away, so combine.
Can I see the actual Hachiko?
Yes — his preserved taxidermy is on display at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno (free hall, no museum ticket required for that section).
When do queues form for the photo?
Continuously from 09:00 until 22:00. Empty before 08:00; manageable from 21:00. Mornings always best.
