Akita Inu no Sato (Akita Dog Visitor Center), Akita

A visitor centre outside JR Odate Station in Akita, birthplace of Hachiko. Meet real Akita dogs through the glass and learn their story. Entry is free.

Bright interior hall of the Akita Inu no Sato visitor center with shop counters — Photo: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Green 'Aogaeru' Tokyu 5000 series railcar displayed on the lawn at Odate — Photo: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The gateway to the home of Akita dogs and Hachiko

Akita Inu no Sato ("home of the Akita dog") is a tourism and visitor centre opened in May 2019 by the city of Odate in northern Akita Prefecture. Odate is the home of the Akita breed, and Hachiko, the loyal dog famous for waiting and waiting for his owner to come home at Shibuya Station in Tokyo, was born here too.

The building is modelled on Shibuya Station as it looked in the Taisho era (1912-1926), when Hachiko waited there for his owner. There is a statue of Hachiko on the grounds, a popular spot for souvenir photos.

Meeting Akita dogs in the display room

The biggest draw is the Akita Dog Display Room. Dogs owned by members of the local Akita dog preservation society take turns coming in on different days, and you can see them through the glass. The dogs also take breaks during the day.

Inside there is a museum explaining how the breed came about and what makes it distinctive. There is also a tourist information desk and a souvenir shop selling Akita dog goods and local specialities.

The Green Frog train and the hand-pumped trolley

Outside stands the "Aogaeru" (Green Frog), a Tokyu 5000 series carriage that once ran through Shibuya Station. It cannot be visited in winter.

On weekends and public holidays from spring to autumn you can ride the tekogi torokko, a trolley you pump by hand along disused railway track. It may be suddenly cancelled for safety if bears have been seen in the area.

Getting there

It is right in front of JR Odate Station, a very short walk away. There is also a car park. Opening hours and closing days can change, so check the official site.

Tips

The Akita Dog Display Room is closed on Mondays (or the next weekday if Monday is a public holiday), and you cannot meet the dogs that day. If seeing the dogs is the point, check the day before you go.
You cannot touch the dogs (no stroking or hugging); viewing is through glass. Akita dogs may be big, but they are sensitive, so please follow the centre's rules.
You can rent a bicycle in front of the station, so it also makes a handy starting point for exploring Odate.

Sources

Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Akita Inu no Sato (Akita Dog Visitor Center)