The movie Hachiko A Dog' Story is based on a true story that took in first half of the 20th century in Japan.
In 1924, Hachiko was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesaburo Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner's life Hachiko saw him off from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno didn't return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a stroke at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting.

Hachiko was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. After time, Hachiko apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachiko waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he didn't see his friend among the commuters at the station.

The permanent presence at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachiko and Professor Ueno together each day. This touched the hearts of the commuters, who brought Hachiko treats and food.

This continued for 10 years, with Hachiko appearing only in the evening time, precisely when the train was supposed to arrive at the station.

That same year, one of Ueno's students saw the dog at the station and learned the history of Hachikō's life. He returned frequently to visit the dog and over the years published several articles about Hachikō's remarkable loyalty. In 1932 one of these articles, published in a Tokyo Newspaper, threw the dog into the national spotlight. Hachikō became a national sensation. His faithfulness to his master's memory impressed the people of Japan as a spirit of family loyalty all should try to achieve. Teachers and parents used Hachikō's vigil as an example for children to follow. Eventually, Hachikō's legendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty.

In April 1934, a bronze statue was erected at Shibuya Station and Hachikō himself was present at its unveiling. The statue stands and is an extremely popular meeting spot. The exact spot where Hachikō waited in the train station is permanently marked with bronze paw-prints and text in Japanese explaining his loyalty.
Each year on April 8, Hachikō's devotion is honored with a solemn ceremony of remembrance at Tokyo's Shibuya railroad station. Hundreds of dog lovers often turn out to honor his memory and loyalty.