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All Japan Odate Akita Dog Visitor Center
AO Edited

Akita Dog Visitor Center

An Akita-themed facility modeled after the old Shibuya Station, erected in honor of Hachiko, a famously loyal dog.

Odate, Japan

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
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  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Exterior: modeled after Shibuya Station as it once was.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Akita is also the home of Akita dogs, of course.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
You can meet real Akita dogs too.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Another Hachiko statue.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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The Japanese city of Odate's greatest claim to fame may be as the birthplace of Hachiko, an Akita Inu that became famous for waiting for his owner at the station, even years after the man's death. The dog's loyalty has been immortalized in several films.

Hachiko became a poster child for the city and Akita Inus. There is a museum dedicated to the breed, in front of which stands a statue of Hachi, as well as a visitor center called Akita Inu no Sato, or the Country of the Akita Dogs. Also known as the Akita Dog Visitor Center, this facility is part tourist information, part local history museum, and all Akita Inu-related. The building is modeled after Tokyo’s Shibuya Station as it once looked back during Hachi’s lifetime, complete with a Hachi statue waiting in perpetuity. 

Inside, the gift shop and the small exhibit area are filled with Akita Inu plushies. The exhibit gives visitors a brief history of the breed and several photo opportunities, including a “tree” of stuffed animals modeled after Masaru, an Akita gifted to Russian figure skater Alina Zagitova.

The center is also home to live Akita dogs, completing its display of all things Akita Inu. 

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Museums Transportation Dogs

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The center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The live Akita Inu can be viewed at all times except during their 15-minute breaks.

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Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Published

February 12, 2025

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Akita Dog Visitor Center
Odate, 017-0044
Japan
40.286849, 140.556164
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Nearby Places

‘Homesick Hachiko’

Odate, Japan

miles away

Nipro Hachiko Dome

Odate, Japan

miles away

Ōyu Stone Circles

Kazuno, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Odate

Odate

Japan

Places 3

Nearby Places

‘Homesick Hachiko’

Odate, Japan

miles away

Nipro Hachiko Dome

Odate, Japan

miles away

Ōyu Stone Circles

Kazuno, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Odate

Odate

Japan

Places 3

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