On March 8, 1935, in a street in Shibuya (Japan), the lifeless body of Hachiko, an Akita Inu dog, was found. His was a great story of loyalty and devotion, known all over the world. Born in Odate in November 1923, Hachiko, whose real name was Hachi (the number eight was added because it was considered benevolent), was adopted at just two months by a university professor, Hidesaburo Ueno. For two years, the little dog walked the professor to the Shibuya station every day, and every day he waited for him to return from the university.

Hachikō became sadly famous on the day his owner died, on May 21, 1925. From that moment and for the next 10 years, the dog went daily to Shibuya Station to wait, in vain, for the teacher's return.

History moved all of Japan, many people started going to Shibuya just to meet and pet him. His death was declared a national day of mourning.

At Shibuya Station there is still a statue in memory of Hachiko - one of Tokyo's most famous and visited places - while his body is preserved in the Tokyo National Museum. In April 1934, when he was still alive, a statue was dedicated to the faithful animal and, over the years, his story became the subject of movies (the one with Richard Gere) and of some books.