Hachiko

The true story originated in Japan in the late 1920's and later became a blockbuster hit for Japan in 1987. Since then, it has been "Americanized" and was released in theaters in January 2010.

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The movie begin as Hachi is being shipped from Japan to his new owner. On the voyage by ship, air and then train, his crate breaks and he became lost at the train station. Parker who takes the train to and from work each day, finds the wandering puppy and takes it home where they form an instant bond. Throughout the years, Hachi and Parker enjoy a daily vigil of going to and from the train depot together and every afternoon when Hachi hears the train whistle, he rushes to the station where he waits to walk home with Parker. Along their daily trips, Hachi becomes a friend to many in the community and everyone at the train station is all too familiar with the great bond shared by man and dog. The story takes an unfortunate turn when Professor Parker suddenly suffers a heart attack and doesn't return home one day. Hachi waits for his owner never returns. Parker's daughter and son-in-law decide to give Hachi a new home with them but he is so saddened by the loss of his owner that he breaks away as soon as gate is open and returns directly to the train depot. For 10 years, Hachi lives near the train tracks and remains vigil in the hopes that his owner will return. The community adopts him and takes care of him as they see him each day and the local paper even does a story on Hachi. One day Cate (Parker's widow) return to town to visit since being 10 years. She visits Parker's grave and walks by the train depot to find Hachi an old dog still waiting in that same spot for her husband. Cate breaks down and holds Hachi. In the end, after many years of faithful waiting, Hachi passes and is finally reunited with his loving owner.

The real Hachiko was born in Odate Japan in 1923. When his master Dr. Eisaburo Ueno, a professor at Tokyo University died in May 1925. Hachi returned to the Shibuya train station the next day and for the next nine years to wait.

Today a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya railroad station.