Shibuya Crossing/Hachiko, Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko was in our circuit during our visit to Tokyo. Generally we are those travelers who will know exactly where to go, how to go, what to see, and importance of the place. Yes, a lot of research goes into it, but we just love it and wouldn't have it any other way. However, due to a personal tragedy we were not in the right state of mind to do anything, least the researching.

We almost scoffed off hearing about Shibuya Crossing. Though we have seen in it the movie, Fast and Furious-Tokyo Drift, clueless nonetheless until we get to watch the famous pedestrian scramble crossing and be a part of it. We reached the Shibuya station around 8 in the morning from Asakusa. Having witnessed the energetic Japanese side in the last two days, we weren't surprised to see the hustle bustle at rush hour. View from the Shibuya station is the best we could get as we didn't want to visit the well-known Starbucks and wail away our time in the hope of getting the best shot. We left the station at Hachiko exit, one of the five exits of Shibuya Station. All vehicles comes to a stand still in all directions to allow pedestrians to cross the intersection. In the sea of people, we didn't collide with anyone while crossing. How silly of us to even think that. We are talking about Japanese here, the epitome of discipline and efficiency.

Right in front of the station is the illustrious statue of Hachiko. It is meeting point for many and said to be crowded all the time. And obviously people like us who wished to be photographed with the most loyal dog in the history.

Story: Hachiko, a breed of Akita dog was born in Odate, Akita Perfecture, Japan in November 10, 1923. Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor in agriculture department at Tokyo University had adopted Hachiko as pet in 1924. "Hachi" means eight and "Ko" means affection. The daily routine of them is that Hachi will see his master off to work every day in the morning at Shibuya Station and will wait to welcome him at the station when he returns from work. This was their set schedule for nearly a year. Station staff and other commuters who had seen these duo together several times vouched for it later.

In May 21, 1925 Hachiko was waiting for his owner at the same spot unbeknown to what happened to him. Professor Uneo suffered cerebral hemorrhage and died unexpectedly while giving a lecture.

Hachiko stayed with Professor's gardener from then onward. However, he continued going to Shibuya Station every morning and evening for the rest of his nine years waiting for his beloved master's return without understanding the master has gone to a place from where there is no return.

An article published in "Asahi Shimbun" in October 4, 1932 garnered a lot of attention and gave Hachiko a celebrity status to become a household name all over Japan. And not to forget the inspiration he had on films, books, popular culture.

In April 1934, a bronze statue was unveiled in front of Shibuya station in a grand ceremony where Hachiko in all likelihood was the chief guest if we may say. Hachiko died in March 8, 1935 at the age of 11 on a street in Shibuya. He was cremated and his ashes were buried in Aoyama Cemetery, Minato, Tokyo besides his beloved master, Professor Ueno.

In August 1948, a new bronze statue of Hachiko was formulated as old was recycled as source of metal during World War II. Hachiko exit/entrance is one the five exits in Shibuya Train Station.

When are happy and exhilarated to see world's most faithful dog, best and oldest friend of mankind.