When Akita is mentioned outside Japan, most people won't recognize it as a prefecture; instead, they'll likely associate it with the Akita dog breed. Which is understandable, given the global fame of the loyal dog Hachiko and the breed's striking appearance. But did you know it was originally referred to as the Odate dog, owing to its historical connections with Odate? In fact, Odate's affection for the Akita dog runs so deep that the city boasts both an Akita dog visitor center and an Akita dog museum, both well worth a visit if you find yourself in Odate.
The Akita Dog Visitor Center
The Akita Dog Visitor Center, also known as Akita Dog Village in Japanese, stands opposite the Odate train station. The architecture, reminiscent of a vintage train station, exudes charm. Despite its period-inspired appearance, it's actually a newly constructed building designed as a replica of the original Shibuya train station, where Hachiko famously waited for his owner. Inside, visitors are greeted with a well-stocked gift shop and a lighthearted, child-friendly museum dedicated to the Akita dog. However, the main attraction isn't the museum or the souvenir store—it's the dog exhibition area.
The Akita Dog Visitor Center, with a statue of Hachiko looking towards Odate train station
One common disappointment among visitors to Akita is the scarcity of Akita dogs in the region. Considering their namesake, encounters with these dogs are rather rare in the wild. However, at the visitor center, visitors can observe Akita dogs in the exhibition area, albeit from behind glass partitions. Akita dogs, known for their loyalty to family, are wary of strangers, hence the protective barrier. While this may disappoint some visitors hoping for closer interaction, it's undoubtedly the best arrangement for the dogs' well-being. Occasionally, other Akita dog owners also bring their pets to the center, providing opportunities for chance encounters outside the exhibition area.
The Akita dog that was in the exhibition area when I visited
The visitor center's website offers additional information, including details about the dogs on exhibit. Although the website is primarily in Japanese, machine-translated English is available. Unfortunately, the translation is not very good. To navigate the website effectively, it's advisable to use your browser's translation feature. Admission is free, and the center is closed on Mondays.
Akita Dog Museum
In contrast, the Akita Dog Museum offers a distinct experience. Situated farther from the nearest train station, the museum's exterior may appear weathered, but its interior showcases a wealth of information and historical artifacts related to Akita dogs. Notable exhibits include a collection of special dog collars worn by champion dogs, shedding light on a darker chapter of the Akita dog's history involving dog fighting.
The exterior of the Akita Dog Museum
According to the museum’s website, Akita dogs visit the museum office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. While visitors cannot interact directly with the dogs, they can observe them. On the X profile of the museum, you can see which dogs are currently visiting the museum.
An exhibit showing how a family might have lived with its Akita dog long ago
The website is a little clunky but using the standard translation function in your browser can give you the basic information you would need to visit. Despite these minor inconveniences, the museum offers an engaging experience for visitors. Admission fees are 200 Yen for adults, 100 Yen for children, and the museum is closed only on New Year's Day and August 13th in the afternoon.
Websites:
Akita Dog Visitor Center https://akitainunosato.jp/
Akita Dog Museum https://aki-ho.sakura.ne.jp/?page_id=333
Akita Dog Museum on X https://twitter.com/akitainuho