The Japanese city of Odate's greatest claim to fame may be as the birthplace of Hachiko, an Akita Inu that became famous for waiting for his owner at the station, even years after the man's death. The dog's loyalty has been immortalized in several films.

Hachiko became a poster child for the city and Akita Inus. There is a museum dedicated to the breed, in front of which stands a statue of Hachi, as well as a visitor center called Akita Inu no Sato, or the Country of the Akita Dogs. Also known as the Akita Dog Visitor Center, this facility is part tourist information, part local history museum, and all Akita Inu-related. The building is modeled after Tokyo’s Shibuya Station as it once looked back during Hachi’s lifetime, complete with a Hachi statue waiting in perpetuity. 

Inside, the gift shop and the small exhibit area are filled with Akita Inu plushies. The exhibit gives visitors a brief history of the breed and several photo opportunities, including a “tree” of stuffed animals modeled after Masaru, an Akita gifted to Russian figure skater Alina Zagitova.

The center is also home to live Akita dogs, completing its display of all things Akita Inu.