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Akita Dog Visitor Center
This breed is also popular overseas. Go see Akitas!
Hachiko was a faithful dog who, 100 years ago, waited every day at Shibuya Station for his owner, who had suddenly passed, to return. It is a touching story familiar to all Japanese people. The Akita Dog Visitor Center was designed in the style of Shibuya Station as it was when Hachiko faithfully waited for his master. The Center features the Akita Dog Museum and a souvenir corner, as well as the Akita Dog Exhibition Room where visitors can meet real Akita dogs. Dogs are welcome in most parts of the building and the adjacent grass square.
About Akita dogs
Akitas are smart and obedient, and traditionally hunting dogs essential for the Matagi hunters. The breed was designated as a national treasure in 1931, a first for Japanese dogs. Hachiko, the famously faithful dog moved the Japanese people deeply, and Akitas attracted a great deal of attention. In 2009, the Hollywood movie, Hachi: A Dog's Tale, introduced Hachiko to the world. Currently, Akitas are beloved faithful family dogs in Japan and abroad.
Akita Dog Museum
The Akita Dog Museum welcomes you with a huge Akita dog panel. It has many exhibits that teach visitors about Akitas, explaining things like the origin and characteristics of Akitas, as well as stories with well-known persons such as Helen Keller and President Vladimir Putin. The stuffed animal tower is a spectacular photo spot where more than 160 plush dogs resembling Masaru, an Akita dog given to Russian figure skating gold medalist Alina Zagitova, are stacked.
Akita Dog exhibition room
This is the place for those who want to see Akitas. You will be surprised at the size of Akitas and be charmed by their faces. Akitas are very faithful, but they may be a bit standoffish to strangers. That's the true nature of Akita dogs. Visitors are not allowed to touch Akitas, because some of them do not like to be touched by strangers. However, you can feel the gentle, wonderful nature of real Akitas.
Location
| Name | Akita Dog Visitor Center |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | https://visitakita.com/en/meet/ |
| Address | 1-13-1 Onari-machi, Odate-shi, Akita |
| Access | Approximately 3 minutes' walk from Odate Station on the JR Ou Main Line |
| Business Hours | April to October: 9:00 to 18:00 November to March: 9:00 to 17:00 |
| Closed | Open all year round except for year-end and New Year's holidays |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0186-59-4649 |
| Admission | Free |
| Others | Akita Dog exhibition room: Business Hour: 9:30 to 16:15 (Closed from 12:30 to 13:15) Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a national holiday, then the following day.) Note: Dogs may take a break at any time. |