Japan celebrated the 100th birthday of the famous loyal dog Hachiko with a grand event in Odate City, Akita Prefecture. The celebration took place on November 10, 2023, marking a century since Hachiko’s birth in 1923. The event featured a variety of Hachiko-themed merchandise, food options, and was attended by prominent figures, including the mayors of Shibuya and Odate City, as well as officials from the Hachiko Preservation Society. Shiori Hamada, leader of the Hachi 100th Anniversary Project, expressed the desire to raise global awareness about Hachiko, highlighting his origins in Odate and his Akita breed. The event aimed to introduce more people to Odate through Hachiko’s legacy.
As part of the celebration, Hachiko’s monument at the Akita Dog Visitor Center in Odate received floral tributes from Ryosako Saito, the grandson of Hachiko’s original owner. The festivities included a birthday song and a dedicated cake to honor the loyal dog. Hachiko is renowned for his unwavering loyalty, as he continued to wait at the Shibuya train station every day for nine years after his owner’s death, until his own passing in 1935. This act of devotion led to the erection of a statue in his honor, which has become a popular tourist attraction in Japan.
The HACHI100 Project Executive Committee, formed to commemorate Hachiko’s centennial, comprised members from Shibuya and Odate, Akitainu Tourism, Shibuya City Tourism Association, and the Loyal Dog Hachiko Statue Preservation Societies of both Odate City and Shibuya City. This committee spearheaded various events, including the HACHIKO Week & 100th Birthday Celebration and other events planned to honor Hachiko’s legacy and to share the story of Japan’s most famous dog.