Hachikō

Death

By November 1933, having turned age 10, Hachikō's age and medical conditions were taking a serious toll on him. By this time he had dirofilariasis (parasitic infection), which is caused by dirofilaria immitis (heartworm), and ascites (fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity), a complication of dirofilariasis. Saitō was concerned that Hachi might not make it through this winter. Hachikō became very ill on February 6, 1934, but recovered on February 17. On February 18, the film star Yoshiko Kawada visited him at Shibuya Station. A photo was taken of just her in a kimono and Hachikō in which she is often mistaken for Yaeko, but there is no known photo of Yaeko and just Hachikō. At this time Stationmaster Yoshikawa played another trick on Hachikō by tying a red shipping tag that said "Handle with care" on him. The Shibuya stationmaster also tried to have his name engraved on the base of the statue's pedestal. In early March 1935, Hachikō became extremely ill. He began vomiting, stopped eating, and his abdomen was very swollen with the ascites.

Hachikō died on March 8, 1935, at the age of 11, having been found around 6am, his body still warm. He was found at an alley entrance just north of the Takizawa Liquor Store at 41, 3-chōme, Nakadōri, Shibuya ward. This is near the Inari Bridge in Shibuya. He was found at the alley entrance by Haruno Takizawa, wife of Seiji Takizawa, the owner of the liquor store. Haruno found Hachikō's body at the wooden gate to their house, which is at the alley entrance. She stroked him and called his name. Hachikō was found with his head towards the east, in the direction of Aoyama Cemetery, where Ueno rests. Around 11pm the night before he died, Hachikō visited every store in front of Shibuya Station. Around midnight he visited every room at the station. Haruno's son, Ryōichi, eventually took over the liquor store. He states Hachikō used to come to the store often and they would feed him. All these last night visits may mean Hachikō was saying goodbye to people and places he knew well. Haruno had one of her employees, Denzō Nishimura, run to report the death. The station sent two employees with a rickshaw to collect Hachikō's body. Newspapers all over Japan reported the death. It was also reported around the world, including Los Angeles, Paris, and Budapest. Countless people were sad and upset, especially the Kobayashi's and Yaeko. It is the only time in Japanese history there has been nationwide mourning for an animal.

After his death, Hachikō's remains were taken to the Veterinary Medicine Laboratory of the Komaba Agriculture College, College of Agriculture of the Imperial University of Tokyo, for a necropsy. He was then cremated and the ashes of his internal organs were buried in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo where they rest beside Professor Ueno. Hachikō's pelt was preserved after his death, and his taxidermy is on display at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.

On March 9, 1935, at 8am a memorial service was held at Hachikō's bronze statue. There were many people, flowers, various offerings, and Buddhist priests. At this memorial service, Kurita realized the puppy he had sent from Ōdate was Hachikō when a colleague said, "Hachi-kō originally came from Ōdate around January 11, 1924, and was raised by our former teacher Ueno Hidesaburō." However, he kept this quiet until 1957. Hachikō's funeral was held on March 12, at 2pm, at Ueno's grave in Aoyama Cemetery, with Hachikō's son Kuma-kō—who was about 4 years old at the time, 16 monks, flowers and condolence money. About 10,000 people visited Hachikō's statue from March 8–12. The March 12 funeral at Aoyama Cemetery had about 60 people attend.

Two necropsies were performed on Hachikō. The first began at 3pm on the day he died. It determined that Hachikō died of dirofilariasis (heartworm) and old age. It also found that he had dirofilaria immitis, ascites and liver fibrosis. There were also four yakitori skewers in Hachikō's stomach, but the skewers neither damaged his stomach nor caused death. The veterinarians preserved his heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and esophagus in glass jars. These are on public display at the Yayoi campus of the Museum of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo. Some of his intestines were placed in his grave beside Ueno. Despite no damage being found to his stomach, some people insist he died from eating yakitori skewers. Other evidence is that the yakitori vendors only came in the evening and Hachikō went there in the morning and he went on bad weather days when the vendors did not come to Shibuya Station. The yakitori debate was going on at least until the 1980s.

In December 2010 a second necropsy began, also at the Yayoi campus. Its results, using all modern technologies, were released in March 2011. Scientists finally settled the cause of Hachikō's death; his causes of death were both terminal carcinosarcoma (cancer) and dirofilaria immitis. They also found microfilariasis (baby roundworms). These conditions were centered around his heart and lungs. They also confirmed yakitori skewers had not damaged him. Each year on March 8, Hachikō is honored with a ceremony of remembrance at Shibuya Station. In 1934 the story of Hachikō was accepted for use in a textbook for second-graders in the upcoming April 1935 school year to teach morals, kindness, and gratitude. Hachikō is still revered in Japan and his story is taught to children to teach unwavering loyalty, perseverance, and faithfulness.

Graves of Hachikō, Ueno, and Yaeko

Hachikō's grave can be difficult to find. More people visit it than any other grave in Aoyama cemetery. Every day there are offerings of flowers, food, and coins; especially on March 8. The directions are:

The little grave of Hachi is called “Hachi-kō no hokora” (miniature shrine of Hachi-kō). It is formerly the “aiken no hokora” (miniature shrine of beloved dogs) of the late Ueno Hidesaburō. It stands at the right front corner of the lot of Ueno Hidesaburō’s grave at Aoyama Cemetery. Aoyama Cemetery is located at 32-2, 2-chōme Minami-Aoyama, Minato ward, Tokyo. It has easy access from three subway stations of Tokyo Metro subway lines (details below). The lot number for Ueno’s grave is “1-shu, ro, 6-gō (area), 12-gawa (plot).” It is located on the left side of the street from the funeral home, on the premises of the cemetery. Coming from the funeral home, turn to the left at the street in front, and the lot is on the left side. On the opposite side stand graves of such dignitaries as the past Japanese prime ministers Hamaguchi Osachi and Inukai Tsuyoshi, and the finance minister Inoue Jun’nosuke. The lot with Ueno’s grave is enclosed by a lattice fence made of bamboo.[298] Also, just outside his grave, at the right front corner of the lattice fence, is erected the Hachi-kō Memorial Stone, about 4.5 feet in height, made of Mikage-stone (granite). The inscription reads: “Chūken Hachi-kō no hi” (Memorial Stone for the Loyal Dog Hachi-kō).[299]

— Mayumi Itoh (2017, Hachikō: Solving Twenty Mysteries about the Most Famous Dog in Japan, pages: 189-190)

Yaeko died on April 30, 1961. She had requested to be buried next to Ueno. The head of the Ueno family refused as she and Ueno were never married. After 55 years of negotiations and cutting through red tape, part of her remains were allowed to be buried next to Ueno and Hachikō, at the Shirakawa-stone lantern at the grave site in Aoyama Cemetery. This ceremony occurred on May 19, 2016, with both Ueno and Sakano families present. Yaeko's name and the date of her death were inscribed on the side of his tombstone, thus fulfilling the reunion of Hachikō's family. "By putting the names of both on their grave, we can show future generations the fact that Hachikō had two keepers." Shiozawa said. "To Hachikō the professor was his father, and Yaeko was his mother," Matsui added.

Saitō kept Hachikō's bones and skull in his study. However, they were burned during the Tokyo Air Raid of May 25, 1945, along with his house. The surviving remains of Hachikō are in four places: 1) some of his intestines at the Aoyama Cemetery with Ueno and Yaeko, 2) heart and lungs, liver and spleen, and esophagus at the Yayoi campus, 3) the mount of his pelt at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Ueno Park, Taitō ward, Tokyo, and 4) "the Soul of the Loyal Dog Hachi-kō," urn at Jindai Temple, Chōfu, Tokyo. In the 1960s some of the intestine remains of Hachikō from the Aoyama Cemetery were moved to this Jindai Temple. Just like with the making of Hachikō's bronze statue, there was a controversy in making his mounted pelt. The statue was made with his droopy ear, but his mount was made with both ears erect. The taxidemists wanted to do their best work ever, so it took 3 months to make the mount.

Myth formation and cultural significance

Hachikō's story gained national prominence in Japan during the early 1930s, several years after the death of his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno. Contemporary Japanese newspapers played a central role in shaping Hachikō's public image by emphasizing the dog's continued presence at Shibuya Station and framing his behavior as an example of loyalty and devotion.

Hachikō's popularization coincided with a broader trend in prewar Japan toward moral education that stressed virtues such as loyalty, perseverance, and self-sacrifice. Within this context, Hachikō was increasingly portrayed not merely as an individual animal but as a symbolic figure whose behavior was used to convey social and ethical ideals to the public, particularly to schoolchildren.

The erection of a bronze statue of Hachikō outside Shibuya Station in 1934 further institutionalized this symbolic role. Public ceremonies surrounding the statue and subsequent media coverage reinforced a simplified narrative of unwavering loyalty, while omitting more complex aspects of the dog's life, such as the involvement of local residents and station workers who cared for him during his later years.

Following World War II, Hachikō's image was reinterpreted in a less nationalistic manner, becoming instead a widely shared symbol of personal devotion and emotional attachment. This postwar reframing contributed to the dog's enduring popularity in literature, film, and international media, where the story is often presented as a universal tale of loyalty rather than a product of a specific historical moment in Japan.

Legacy

The story of Hachikō has captivated innumerable people worldwide. Countless visitors, Japanese and foreigners, visit his statue in Shibuya each year. A Japanese entertainment company began "Day of the Idol Dog" in 2009, honoring a dog every November 11. Its first honoree was Hachikō. In July 2012, photos from Hachikō's life were shown at the Shibuya Folk and Literary Shirane Memorial Museum in Shibuya as part of the Shin Shuzo Shiryoten (or Exhibition of newly stored materials). Many Hachikō-themed goods are sold, including clear folders, tote bags, holders, note books, candies, cookies, kasutera (sponge cakes), green tea, rice crackers, pancakes, chocolates, and sauce. Hachi-kō sauce is a long-time seller manufactured by none other than the Hachiko Sauce Company. Hachikō sauce is still being made as of 2025 is considered one of the best “Worcestershire” sauces in Japan. It has three different flavors (original, semi-thick, and fruit).

Every year on April 8, since 1984, the Society for the Preservation of the Loyal Dog Hachi-kō Bronze Statue holds a Hachikō Festival at Shibuya Station. It is held on April 8 instead of May 8 as that combines Hachikō's death date with Buddha's birthday, which is called the Flower Festival.

Statues of Hachikō

At the same time Teru Andō, who had made the plaster statue, was planning a bronze statue, a senior hired a sculptor, Ōuchi, who had designed the New Year's postcard, to create a wooden statue of Hachikō. The senior claimed Ueno's family had endorsed him handling all of Hachikō's commissions, but this was a blatant fabrication. The senior made woodblock-print postcards and had Stationmaster Yoshikawa sign them. Andō was very concerned with this fraud and asked Saitō to begin a bronze statue. Saitō was opposed to this as he felt that should only be done after Hachikō died. Saitō tried to get the senior to cancel the wood block project and join in with Andō, but the senior refused to help or commit money he had earned. This senior also hired Ōuchi to make a miniature statue. Reluctantly, Saitō agreed to the bronze project of Andō. Saitō never took advantage of Hachikō nor did he enjoy being in the spotlight. Saitō and Andō began the Fund to Create the Hachi-kō Bronze Statue on January 1, 1934, with large nationwide support, including academics, professionals, and schoolchildren. Funds were even sent from Korea, which was a Japanese colony at that time, as well as China, Taiwan, and America. One of the fundraisers attracted about 3,000 people. There was debate among the fund members about both the pose of Hachikō and where the statue should be located. Some wanted him sitting down with his droopy ear and others preferred standing with traditional Akita looks. Some wanted it under the eaves of Shibuya Station, which the station controlled, and others wanted it just outside the station, which Tokyo City controlled. The sitting realistic pose was chosen, partly because Andō could not make the standing pose to his satisfaction and the statue was placed just under the station's eaves. The bronze statue was unveiled at 1pm on April 21, 1934, at the station to much fanfare, with the area in front of the station packed with people very tightly. The unveiling occurred in the freight parking area, not the statue's eventual location in the station's front, because of lack of space in the front. Saitō led the ceremony and Hachikō was there. Ueno's granddaughter, Hisako, then 10, actually cut the ribbon to unveil the statue, which she and Saitō barely got to because of the dense crowds. From the time of the unveiling of the bronze statue in April 1934 until long after Hachikō died, many people falsely claimed to have dogs sired by him, even though only one descendant of his, a son, is known, Kuma-kō, who was owned by Yoshitarō Itō. Itō had a Fox Terrier named Debbie, who was Kuma-kō's mother. Debbie died and Hachikō apparently stayed monogamous after that.

In 1933 Andō began making about ten 6-inch high statues of Hachikō in a lying down posture. He kept one himself, one to Empress Dowager Sadako, one to Emperor Hirohito, and one to Empress Nagako. The rest went to his friends. The one he kept himself had its front legs partially melted in the large Tokyo air raid fires of May 25, 1945, but it was recovered. Andō and his daughter both perished in this fire.

Shortly after the Marco Polo Bridge incident on July 7, 1937, the Japanese government began expansion and militarization its economy, people, and material for war. This incident is considered the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War and became part of the Pacific War, which was part of World War II. The government would requisition material for the war effort, put children as young as middle-schoolers into the work force, and censored the media. By 1943 the situation for metals was so desperate that items like zoo guard rails and memorial plaques for animals were being requisitioned. If need be animals would be euthanized so that their cage metal could be used. Dogs were euthanized as they required food. Only German Shepherds were exempt because they were military dogs. Akitas were the first targets because they ate lots of food and their fur could be used for coats. At the end of World War II only 15-16 purebred Akitas were alive in Japan. If you refused to donate your pet, you were treated as a traitor. Some people were even arrested and tortured for not cooperating with the war effort. As the 1944 recycling drive began, Hachikō's statue at Shibuya Station became a target. Saitō says people put a white sash on it and wrote “Conscript it” on the sash. At the end of 1944 the Railways Bureau informed Saitō that they were going to melt down the statue. Saitō got Transportation Vice Minister to agree to put the statue in storage. The statue was taken down on October 12, 1944, amid an emotional farewell ceremony. Per the agreement, it was supposed to stay in storage. The Railways Bureau went back on the storage agreement and donated it to the war effort. Many were saddened and considered this the "Second Death" of Hachikō. It was eventually melted down on August 14, 1945, in Hamamatsu, one day before Emperor Hirohito announced surrender, ending World War II. The statue became parts for locomotive machinery, not bullets as is sometimes reported. Saitō was not aware of this until late 1947 because he had evacuated Tokyo for Kyoto during the war and stayed there a couple years after the war. The Japan National Tourist Organization asked him about the statue because a lot of people wanted to see it, including Americans. Saitō told them the statue was safe. In late 1947 Takeshi Andō, son of Teru, sent Saitō a letter that made him very grief-stricken because it informed Saitō that during the war Teru and his daughter died in the May 25, 1945 air raid, the air raid burned down his house and art works, Takeshi himself had been drafted and had served on the front lines, the plaster statue had burned in the same air raid, and that Takeshi needed Saitō's help in making a second Hachikō statue.

Materials and money were in short supply in post-war Japan. Despite this, in late 1947 the Committee to Recreate the Hachi-kō Bronze Statue was created to build a second statue. The Japan National Tourist Organization was also influential in these efforts. The officials of the Supreme Commander Allied Powers (SCAP) initially resisted these efforts because they saw Hachikō's loyalty as promoting devotion to imperialism. Eventually they realized Hachikō had nothing to do with that. Despite the economic hardships of the post-war era, many common people donated money for the second statue, as well as many influential people. Many Americans had heard about the fate of the first statue and donated money. Takeshi Andō began working on the new statue even though at the beginning there was not enough metal. In addition, he had no real-life model and had to rely on photographs and Saitō's measurements. Years later, Takeshi admitted he had melted down one of his father's master works that had been damaged in the war to make the second statue. The original statue's pedestal had survived the war so they used that for the new statue. Two bronze plaques describing Hachikō's provenance, one in English and one in Japanese, were attached to the pedestal.

On August 15, 1948, the third anniversary of Hirohito's surrender announcement, Takeshi Andō, unveiled a second statue. Children representing England, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States were there. The new statue still stands and is a popular meeting spot. The Shibuya Station entrance near this statue is named Hachikō-guchi, meaning "The Hachikō Entrance/Exit", at the southeast part of the station, is one of Shibuya Station's five exits. The precise spot where Hachikō waited is now marked with bronze paw prints. Although Hachikō is highly revered in Japan and around the world, there are people who still disrespect him. The Shibuya statue is near a late-night party area and some people, generally young adult females, climb on top of the statue and "perform acts that attract public attention". This second statue has been moved at about ten times due to construction projects, but also stays at the station. In 1984 the bronze statue of Hachikõ was reunited with Ueno when the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo realized the bronze bust they had was that of Ueno and he had been Hachikō's owner, so they sent it to Shibuya Station. Saitō founded the Japan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) in May 1948 and served as one of its leaders until he died on September 19, 1964. Takeshi died on January 13, 2019, at age 95. The front legs and muzzle of this statue are now shiny because so many people have touched it. Takeshi is happy about this as it show many people truly care about Hachikō.

Another statue is in Hachikō's hometown, in front of Ōdate Station; it was unveiled at Ōdate Train Station on July 8, 1935. This statue was also melted down during the 1945 recycling efforts. Fund raising for a new one began in 1962 and it was unveiled in May 1964 in front of Ōdate Station. It depicts Hachikō standing, a female laying down, and three puppies and is called "Group Statues of Akita-inu". On November 14, 1987, a solo statue of Hachikō standing was erected, just several meters from the group statue. A stone statue of Hachikō and stone steles were erected at the Saitō family residence, his birthplace, in Ōdate in 2003. The steles describe his provenance. In 2004, a new statue of Hachikō was erected in front of the Akita-inu Hall in Ōdate.

After the release of the American movie Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009), which was filmed in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the Japanese Consulate in the United States helped the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the city of Woonsocket to reveal a statue of Hachikō identical to the one at Shibuya Station at the Woonsocket Depot Square, which was the location of the "Bedridge" train station featured in the movie. This statue in Woonsocket was bronze and was bought on eBay. It is smaller than the one in Shibuya and its creation was not authorized. Andō had approved of Woonsocket getting a statue, but he was unaware a look-alike unapproved replica ending up being bought. An Akita-mix named Hachi stood in for Hachikō at the dedication ceremony.

On March 9, 2015, the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo, Ueno's alma mater and workplace where he commuted every workday during his time with Hachikō, made a bronze statue depicting Ueno returning to meet Hachikō to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Hachikō's death. The statue was sculpted by Tsutomu Ueda from Nagoya and depicts an excited Hachikō jumping up to greet his master at the end of a workday. Ueno is dressed in a hat, suit, and trench coat, with his briefcase placed on the ground. Hachikō wears a studded harness as seen in his last photos. In a ceremony attended by the Japanese Ambassador in October 2016, a bronze statue of Hachiko and Dr. Ueno, identical to the one on the Yayoi Campus of the University of Tokyo, was installed in Abbey Glen Pet Memorial Park in Lafayette Township, New Jersey, USA.

List of statues of Hachikō

Birthdays

On November 10, 2012, Google commemorated what would have been Hachikō's 89th birthday by uploading a Google Doodle that depicts the famous dog waiting by the Shibuya Station railway and holding Ueno's hat in his mouth. On November 10, 2023, the Japanese people commemorated what would have been Hachikō's 100th birthday. Events included visits to the Shibuya Station, songs, and dances. A holographic display of Hachikō was installed at the Akita Dog Visitor Center in Odate, Akita Prefecture, greeting guests who came by to celebrate his birth.

In media

Film and TV

Hachikō was the subject of the 1987 film Hachikō Monogatari (ハチ公物語, "The Tale of Hachikō") directed by Seijirō Kōyama, which told the story of his life from his birth up until his death and had spiritual reunion with his master. Considered a blockbuster success, the film was the last big hit for Japanese film studio Shochiku Kinema Kenkyū-jo. This was the highest-grossing film in Japan in 1987 and received the Yamaji Fumiko Film Award.

Another film based on Hachikō is the 2015 Telugu film, Tommy.

Producer Vicki Shigekuni Wong saw the Hachikō statue while visiting Shibuya in the 1980s and was so moved by his life that after returning to the United States, she adopted a Shiba Inu dog and named it Hachi. When her beloved dog, Hachikō, died at the age of 16, she decided to make a film about Hachiko, a symbol of the strong bond between dogs and humans. The resulting film, Hachi: A Dog's Tale (released August 2009), is an American movie starring actor Richard Gere, directed by Lasse Hallström, about Hachikō and his relationship with an American professor and his family following the same story, but different. For example, Hachikō was a gift to professor Ueno, this part is entirely different in the American version. The movie was filmed in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, primarily in and around the Woonsocket Depot Square area and also featured Joan Allen and Jason Alexander. The role of Hachi was played by three Akitas: Leyla, Chico, and Forrest. Mark Harden describes how he and his team trained the three dogs in the book: "Animal Stars: Behind the Scenes with Your Favorite Animal Actors." After the movie was completed, Harden adopted Chico.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Hachikō’s birth, the Chinese film adaptation Hachiko (忠犬八公, Zhōng quǎn bā gōng) directed by Xu Ang and starring Feng Xiaogang was released in 2023.

"Jurassic Bark" (2002), episode 7 of season 4 of the animated series Futurama has an extended homage to Hachikō, with Fry discovering the fossilized remains of his dog, Seymour. After Fry was frozen, Seymour is shown to have waited for Fry to return for 12 years outside Panucci's Pizza, where Fry worked, never disobeying his master's last command to wait for him.

Books

Hachikō is also the subject of a children's book/short novel for readers of all ages called Hachiko Waits, written by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Machiyo Kodaira, was published by Henry Holt & Co. in 2004.

In the Japanese manga One Piece, there is a similar story with a dog named ChouChou.

Video game

In the video game The World Ends with You (2007) and the sequel Neo: The World Ends with You, the Hachikō statue is featured and is referenced on several occasions. The location of the statue plays a role in the narrative of both games. Forza Horizon 6 (2026) contains a fictionalised recreation of Tokyo, and the Hachikō statue can be found just outside of the driveable area in Shibuya. The player can take a photo of the statue for a reward.

Hachikō himself in media

Hachikō himself made at least two media appearances in 1934, the zenith of his notoriety after the statue unveiling. In 1994, Nippon Cultural Broadcasting in Japan was able to restore a recording of Hachikō barking, Junjō bidan Hachi-kō (Heartwarming Story of Hachi-kō), from an old 78 RPM record by Kikusui Records that had been broken into several pieces. The pieces were melded together using a laser. A huge advertising campaign ensued and on Saturday, May 28, 1994; 59 years after his death, millions of radio listeners tuned in to hear Hachikō's bark. It is reported to sound like the "feeble howling of an old wolf", akin to "Wohw. Wohw. Wohw." In December 1934 Hachikō made a cameo in a movie Arupusu taishō (King of the [Japan] Alps). In one scene a man is telling an audience about the information on Hachikō's bronze statue plaque. A boy is uninterested and the man asks him why. The boy, stroking Hachikō's neck, says “You come here, Mister. This is the real Hachi-kō. The Hachi-kō Bronze Statue isn’t interesting. Be kind to the real Hachi, instead.”

Yaeko Sakano

Yaeko Sakano (坂野 八重子, Sakano Yaeko), often referred as Yaeko Ueno, was the unmarried partner of Hidesaburō Ueno for almost 10 years until his death in 1925. Being unmarried, she could not inherit Ueno's assets. Hachikō was reported to have shown great happiness and affection towards her whenever she came to visit him. Tomokichi Kobayashi, with whom Hachikō lived for many years, reported that Hachikō only jumped for joy upon seeing Yaeko and Ueno. She was also the person that could get him into a taxi. Yaeko stated no other dog understood people the way Hachikō did and that he was truly gentle. Yaeko died on April 30, 1961, at the age of 76 and was buried at a temple in Taitō, further away from Ueno's grave, despite her requests to her family members to be buried with her partner. In 2013, Yaeko's documents, indicating that she wanted to be buried with Ueno, were found by Sho Shiozawa, who is a professor of the University of Tokyo. Shiozawa was also the president of the Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage, and Rural Engineering, which manages Ueno's grave at Aoyama Cemetery. On November 10, 2013, which marked the 90th anniversary of the birth of Hachikō, Sho Shiozawa and Keita Matsui, a curator of the Shibuya Folk and Literary Shirane Memorial, felt the need of Yaeko to be buried together with Ueno and Hachikō. The process began with willing consent from the Ueno and Sakano families and the successful negotiations with management of the Aoyama Cemetery. However, due to regulations and bureaucracy, the process took about 2 years. Shiozawa also went on as one of the organizers involved with the erection of bronze statue of Hachikō and Ueno which was unveiled on the grounds of the University of Tokyo on March 9, 2015, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Hachikō's death.

Mystery of Hidesaburō Ueno and Yaeko Sakano's son

Hidesaburō and Yaeko were long reported as not having any children, except for one mention in Yaeko's own written records on Hachikō. She writes "Hachi was a gentle dog. When he was just one year old, our son was born. Hachi was also gentle with our baby. I often found Hachi in the baby’s room and sleeping with our son. Hachi was so affectionate with our son that I sometimes tucked them into bed together. This made Hachi very happy." and Professor Itoh writes "That her son was born when Hachi was one year old has never been mentioned in any document, to the knowledge of this author." Kazuto Ueno, of the Society for the Preservation of the Bronze Statues of Dr. Ueno Hidesaburō and Hachi-kō, is the possible grandson of Hidesaburō. He was introduced as such at a paired statue dedication of and Ueno in Hisai, Mie in 2012. He was also present at the first “Best Idol Dog” presentation in 2009. He grew up in Ueno Hidesaburō's home prefecture, Mie Prefecture. There is no death record of a son of Hidesaburō and Yaeko dying young. He is the son of their once-mentioned son, Jin Ueno. It is possible that the Ueno family took this child away because he was illegitimate to give him legal protections, which was a common practice during that time. Jin grew up in Hisai, and was a "nephew" of Hidesaburō, though Hidesaburō and Yaeko were not allowed to see him. Jin became the mayor of Hisai and a member of the Mie Prefecture Assembly. Jin was also the legal custodian of Hidesaburō's grave in Aoyama Cemetery. But Kazuto was born in 1937. Yaeko could have mistaken Hisako's birth in February 1924 with an earlier birth of her son. Jin was born July 31, 1912, and is old enough to be Kazuto's father. There is a 1999 TV documentary about Hachikō in which Kazuto made an appearance as Dr. Ueno's grandson. The documentary showed a family genealogy of the Ueno family in which Jin is Hidesaburō's sole son and Kazuto as Jin's eldest son. In this documentary Kazuto stated: “Someone once told me that my grandfather had raised his dogs as if they had their own dignity, just as human beings have a dignity.” This proves Hidesaburō and Yaeko did have a son, Jin, and he is the father of Kazuto.

Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder

Helen Keller visited Akita Prefecture in June 1937 and knew of and asked about Hachikō. She began keeping Akitas as pets and introduced them to America. She intended to visit Korea, China, and the Hachikō statue in Shibuya, but her visit was cut short by the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. So was not able to "meet" Hachikō on that trip. Her first Akita, Kamikaze-Go (“divine wind”), whom she called Kami for short, was taken to meet her in Tokyo when she had to sail back to America. The first Akita given to her was Kamikaze-Go, who was the first Akita to travel overseas from Japan and the first Akita in America. He died of an distemper two months after arriving in America on November 18, 1937, and Keller was given Kamikaze-Go's brother in June 1, 1939 in Tokyo, Kenzan-Go (“steep mountain”), Go-go for short. Japan-US relations were in serious decline by then and there concern on both sides as to whether "G-go" would make it to America safely. Keller and Go-Go were great companions from day one. Go-Go even spent his first night at Keller's home sleeping at the foot of her bed. Go-go died in 1944 or 1945. After the end of World War II, many Americans brought many more Akitas, who were actually Shepherd-Akita mixes, back to America. These dogs became known as the American Akitas. On August 30, 1948, she touched the re-made statue of Hachikō at Shibuya Station, just 15 days after it was unveiled.

Stevie Wonder had his younger brother travel to Akita Prefecture in 2000 to find him an Akita puppy. He had an Akita when he was young and insisted on getting a Japanese Akita this time as he felt they were the real Akitas.

Shibuya Ward Minibus

In 2003, in Shibuya ward, a minibus (officially called "Shibuya-ward Community Bus") started routes in the ward, nicknamed "Hachikō-bus". The buses are different colors (red, orange, blue) to denote which of the three routes they run. The buses are short and narrow to aid in navigating Shibuya's congestion. People can hear the theme song Hachikō-basu no uta (ハチ公バスのうた), the "Hachikō Bus Song", in this bus. The song service began in July 2006.The Shibuya-ward school district adopted the song and elementary schools in the area play it during lunch time.

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