Hachikou is the sad story of a dog who traveled back and forth to the Shibuya Station in Tokyo for 11 years, looking for his dead master. People throughout Japan were touched by his devotion to his dead master, and in 1934 erected a statue in his honor. Hachikou's story eventually appeared in a school textbook and as the subject of a popular song. Other Hachikou products were soon to follow.
Not to tarnish Hachikou's reputation, however, there is another story about Hachikou that questions his devotion to his dead master. There was a shop selling yakitori (grilled chicken on a skewer) in front of Shibuya Station, and Hachikou possessed a talent for removing the pieces of chicken off the skewer. It is said that Hachikou continued to live in the vicinity because he amused the patrons at the shop.
Hachikou's statue at Shibuya Station is a famous meeting spot in Tokyo. However, since it's so famous, there are always crowds of people waiting there and it's difficult to meet up with someone. Like Hachikou, you may end up having to wait...and wait...
