Shibuya Crossing is a famous and popular spot in Tokyo. By the place, we see the statue of Hachi. The first bronze statue was erected in 1934 one year before Hachi died but that one was confiscated by the government for the war material during World War Ⅱ. The present one was re-erected in 1948. Since then, the statue has long been well known meeting spot and the icon in Shibuya. 
Hachi was born in 1923 in Akita Prefecture 700 km north of Tokyo and sent to his owner living in Shibuya. He was a University professor, named Eizaburo Ueno. He loved Hachi. Everyday Hachi saw his owner off and met him back home at Shibuya Station or nearby the Universty. Mr. Ueno died suddenly in 1925 at the University. Even after his death, Hachi kept waiting for him near Shibuya station for about 10 years. How loyal Hachi was ! The photo above is the scene where Hachi jumped at Mr. Ueno when he was back on the way home. The statue was erected in 2015 in the campus of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo at which Mr. Ueno taught.
 Akita is one of rare types of dogs and designated as the natural monument by the government. At a cafe in Tokyo, I met a cute Akita. 
                                                                                                                                                                              On August 25, 2024