Hachiko's Grave

Aoyama Reien (Cemetery)

Hachiko

If you have ever been down to Shibuya to meet friends on a bustling Saturday night, you probably know the famous statue of Hachiko. The Hachiko exit (famed for the statue of this famous dog) is located across from the famous Shibuya "scramble intersection" Crossing. "Let's meet at Hachiko" is a catch phrase popular if you are actively seeking the vivacity and thrills Tokyo night life offers. 


Hachiko is famous for his faithfulness to his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno, whom he meet every day at Shibuya station after Ueno returned home from work. 
Professor Ueno passed away one day from a cerebral hemorrhage but Hachiko continued to show up at Shibuya station every evening for the next 9 years. The full story of Hachiko can be found here. 


Today I went to the famous Aoyama Reien 青山霊園 to see the cherry blossoms with my dear friend and former classmate, Yuko. During our tour of the cemetery, we found Hachiko's memorial. 

Aoyama Cemetery with cherry blossoms in full bloom

I started out from Gaienmae Station. In order to find the grave, you will want to grab a map from the Cemetery office. The official was very kind and had a paper map ready to hand me when I asked where to find Hachiko's grave. 

The star denotes the grave of Professor Ueno and the memorial to his faithful dog, Hachiko

On the search for Hachiko

Yuko posing with the lovely cherry-blossoms in the background

Jon: According to the map its up here on the right.

Yuko: Thats because you are holding the map upside down.

Jon: oh, right, so we go left, right?

Yuko: ...

;-D

After a few directional issues, we found it: Hachiko's memorial. 

"The late Mr. Ueno Hidesaburo"

Small shrine for Hachiko

The guy at the Cemetery office said that seeing Hachiko's grave gives the story of Hachiko a new, more personal meaning. He was absolutely right. I highly recommend checking this out.

Yuko and I at the Aoyama Cemetery viewing cherry blossoms