Possibly Japan’s most famous canine statue, Shibuya’s Hachikō Statue 忠犬ハチ公像 is one of the most photographed sites in the whole of Tokyo, up there with the Nara deer and Mount Fuji.
One of the most popular things to do in Shibuya and located right next to the famous scramble crossing, thousands congregate around the Tokyo Hachikō statue daily for selfies and family portraits.
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Due to the unwavering dedication shown by Hachikō who waited for his owner at Shibuya Station every day (even for many years after his master had died), there is even an annual Hachikō festival and loads of cute themed souvenirs you can buy too.
From its history to the best place to buy akita gifts, here is our guide to the Hachikō Statue in Shibuya.
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Hachikō History
Born in 1923, Hachikō was an adorable akita dog who was adopted by a University of Tokyo named Hidesaburō Ueno.
A faithful hound and much loved dog, Hachikō would accompany Ueno to Shibuya station every morning and return at night to greet him off the train.
This happened every work day for almost two years until Professor Ueno died suddenly and unexpectedly.
After his owner’s untimely death, Hachikō remained a devoted dog who still waited for his master every day outside Shibuya train station.
This continued for 9 years and 9 months after Ueno’s death, until Hachikō also died on March 8, 1935. Many locals spotted Hachikō waiting alone at Shibuya Station and soon, word quickly spread and station staff and train travellers would look out for him and give treats.
Japanese news stations began running features and over time, the story of Hachikō went global and became a local testament of loyalty.
Every year on 8 April, there is a Hachikō festival where people gather and lay flowers to remember the devoted dog.
Hachikō Statue Stories
There have actually been several Hachikō Memorial Statues cast (the original from the 1930s was recast to help with the war effort) and the current Hachikō dog statue outside Shibuya station has been there since 1948.
The first Hachikō statue was unveiled when Hachikō was still alive in 1934 and was created by sculptor Teru Andō – amazingly, Hachikō also attended the opening ceremony and saw his bronze likeness (rumours that he tried to sniff its butt are unfounded – joke)!
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Hachikō souvenirs and legacy
You will see Hachikō references all over Shibuya, from Hachikō themed maps and trails available at the tourist information cabin by the Hachikō statue to a beckoning Akita cartoon puppy statue outside the huge Mega Don Quijote Shibuya store (including Donpen and Hachikō branded t-shirts!).
You can even find gachapon toys and branded signage/buses!
On the 14th floor of the Shibuya scramble mall, you’ll find a dedicated Hachikō gift-shop, stockpiled with plushes, crackers featuring the statue, doggy tote bags and more.
Called Hachifull Shibuya Meets Akita, you’ll see lots of adorable akita gifts here plus Hachikō merchandise exclusive to this store. Take a selfie with the carved wooden Hachikō statue too. Check out the full range of Hachikō merchandise range here >
Hachikō manhole cover
Here at Plan My Japan, we love sharing cool and colourful Japanese manhole covers so we were utterly overjoyed when we discovered there was a Hachiko manhole cover in Shibuya.
Depicting the awesome akita dog standing up and waiting for his owner, the Hachikō manhole cover is just a few steps away from the bronze statue in Hachikō Square.
You might like – weird and wonderful things to do in Tokyo >
Halloween Hachikō at Halloween and New Year’s Eve
Such is the popularity of Shibuya as place to party and congregate, the Hachikō statue is usually boarded up during such occasions to prevent any damage and discourage revellers from congregating or meeting up by it.
So for instance during Shibuya Halloween 2025, hoardings went up around Hachikō from 30 October to the afternoon of 1 November 2025.
Despite there being no official New Year’s Eve countdown / party in Shibuya anymore (it was cancelled many years ago on the grounds of safety) the area still sees a lot of people swarm here to see in the New Year and Hachikō is covered up too.
How to get to the Hachikō Statue / opening hours
The famous 忠犬ハチ公像 Hachikō statue can be found outside Shibuya Station in Hachikō Square, by the Hachikō Exit (8) and right next to Shibuya Scramble Crossing. View it on Google Maps here >
It is usually accessible 24 hours a day apart from it is boarded up to prevent gatherings on Halloween and Shibuya’s New Year’s Eve (non-official) celebrations.
Address: 2 Chome-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
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