A must-see Tokyo landmark with a beautiful, touching history.
You can't visit Shibuya without stopping by to pay your respects to Hachiko! Located right outside the Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit, this bronze statue is one of the most famous meeting spots in the world, and for good reason.
Knowing the story of how this loyal Akita dog waited right here at the station every single day for his owner—even years after his owner passed away—makes seeing the statue incredibly moving. It stands as a beautiful testament to loyalty and devotion.
A few quick tips for your visit: The Line:There is almost always a queue of people waiting to take a photo directly in front of him, but it moves quickly.
Best Time: If you want a clear photo without the crowds, try coming early in the morning or late in the evening. We were here at 7 pm and it was crowded.
Location:It’s located right next to the famous Shibuya Crossing, making it incredibly easy to combine the two experiences. It’s a quick stop, but the emotional history and its status as a cultural icon make it a definitive 5-star landmark in Tokyo.
For anyone who watched the movie and was moved by Hachiko’s story, it’s definitely worth stopping by the Hachiko Statue. It’s right next to the famous Shibuya Crossing, so it’s super easy to find…
Just be patient because it’s almost always packed and the line to take a picture with the statue can be pretty long! Still, even if you only stop by for a few minutes, it’s worth it. There’s something really touching about seeing in person a statue that represents such an incredible story of loyalty and unconditional love!!
A quick stop, but definitely a memorable one :)
The Hachiko Statue right outside Shibuya Station is one of Tokyo’s most iconic meet up spots and a heartwarming symbol of loyalty. Standing in front of the bronze Akita the very spot where Hachiko waited for his owner every day gives you a quick, grounding moment of history right in the middle of Shibuya’s chaotic crowd.
It gets super busy with tourists lining up for photos, so it’s best to visit early in the morning if you want a clean shot.
Tip: If you want to see Hachiko’s real body, head over to the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno. His preserved taxidermy mount is permanently displayed in the Japan Gallery on the 2nd floor, alongside other famous Japanese dogs!
I go often here and see loyal Hachiko. It's truly a heartwarming story. It's a nice place and used to be a meeting spot to meet friends but now it's too congested with tourists.
If you go to the dog's hometown there's no line and no crowd and you can even visit the Akita dog Museum. Please go there, instead. It is kind of out of the way in Akita, though. A city called Odate, with basically no restaurants and cafes around!
I recommend seeing Hachiko im Shibuya around the cherry blossom season. There are long lines to take a photo with him so if you take a photo at an angle you could probably get away with not lining up and not photo bombing someone.
The Hachikō Statue is one of the most recognizable meeting points in Shibuya, but behind this small bronze statue is a touching story of loyalty that made Hachikō famous far beyond Japan.
Hachikō was an Akita dog who accompanied his owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno, to Shibuya Station and waited for him to return. Even after Ueno died unexpectedly in 1925, Hachikō continued returning to the station for years, waiting for his owner. His remarkable loyalty eventually captured the attention of the Japanese public.
The statue was first erected in 1934, while Hachikō himself was present at the unveiling. The current statue is a later reconstruction after the original was melted down during World War II.
Today, the statue is surrounded by the energy of Shibuya, with people constantly coming to take photographs and meet friends. I found the contrast between the busy modern city and this quiet symbol of loyalty quite meaningful.
Traveler tip: The statue is very close to Shibuya Crossing, so visit both together. It can get crowded, so be patient if you want a clear photo.
A small statue with a surprisingly powerful story. Even after learning the history, seeing Hachikō waiting outside the station feels different from simply reading about him.