Hachiko: The World's Most Loyal Dog Turns 100

BBC ^ | Nicholas Yong

[nickcarraway]

The Chinese tagline on the movie poster says it all: "I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

It tells the true story of Hachiko, the faithful dog that continued to wait for its master at a train station in Japan long after his death.

The cream white Akita Inu, born 100 years ago, has been memorialised in everything from books to movies to the cult science fiction sitcom Futurama. And the Chinese iteration - the third after a Japanese version in 1987, and the Richard Gere-starrer in 2009 - is a hit at the box office.

There have been tales of other devoted hounds such as Greyfriars Bobby, but none with the global impact of Hachiko.

[Bikkuri]

Yeah, but Shibuya is the younger crowd and cleaner, although Ikebukuro has a very nice museum.

[Bikkuri]

"No tell Hotels?"

Funny you mentioned that. Not sure about now (I am sure it is still the same), but when I was there, the place you pay was set up so that the staff that worked there couldn't even see you. You passed the money they a small area, but you could only see the hands... OR, the newer ones didn't have any interaction at all. It was like a vending machine with pictures of the available rooms and a button; you input your money into a slot, like a vending machine.

[Bikkuri]

I think Nippori has a couple too (or was it Nishi-Nippori..).

[Fury]

My stepdaughter works in Higashiikebukuro and she would agree with that re: Shibuya. Plus lots of concert venues there for the groups she likes to see.