Akita Dog Visitor Center — Attraction in Odate

I believe this was one of my favorite stops on our Japan trip this year, if not my most favorite. We actually ended up coming on a day that they were having the memorial ceremony for Hachiko, and that was almost magical in itself. The ceremony happens once a year and we just so happened to stumble in on the day it was happening, so that just made it even more special (It was May 8th for 2025). We may have even ended up in the local newspaper documenting the ceremony, but we haven't found a copy of it yet- maybe soon! The people of Odate, including this welcome center, are just as friendly as the dogs they cherish. If you're a dog lover, then please visit this center! It needs more attention and it's such a charming and heart-warming place to just stop for a little while if you are in Northern Japan. They have a nice little gift shop, museum and you can watch the trainers play with the Akita dogs (Unfortunately, you can't pet them). One of the greeters gave us a free pin button and let us tag the visitor's map from our country of origin. I also won a small Akita dog plush from the lottery machine! In one of my photos attached, you can see the free pin I received (green one) and I also made a small purchase at the train station for the Save Akita project. I think the next time we travel to Japan, we will plan to come here again and try for another Hachiko memorial service day. It was one of the highlights...

This is newly opened just a few weeks ago. The previous location was smaller and reviewers feedback that the dogs looked mistreated. However the new building is big and just opposite Odate station. There is a souvenir shop and a resting place where you can watch videos about what to see and do in Akita. Of course, the main attraction is the Akita dog, which is only available on certain days and hour. You have to disinfect your hands, queue up and then go into the large interior where the dog is playing. But you cannot pat it unless it comes to you. I can see the dog is very well taken care of...

The entry is free and it gives interesting information about the Akita inu. It's much more maintained and updated than the museum in the same town. A dog is visible through a glass (and on the grass behind the building when they're having a walking break) and seems very well taken care of. People are complaining that the dogs can't be petted but when I came, there were so many people that in a way I felt relieved for the dog that they couldn't be touched. It would be overwhelming to be touched all day by hundreds and hundreds of...