In Minehama, Happo Town, where pear orchards stretch across the countryside, Masaru Yamada (36) and his wife, Nanako (37), live with their Akita dog, Chataro (four-year-old male). With their days filled by pear cultivation and shipping work, Chataro has become a comforting presence, bringing relaxation and joy to their busy lives.
Chataro absolutely loves people. On walks, he happily wags his tail and runs straight up to anyone they meet, including customers who visit their roadside pear stand. Yet despite his outgoing nature, he’s also quite timid, for when thunder rumbles, he trembles and sometimes even freezes in fear. He also has a clumsy side, getting distracted on walks and stepping into drainage ditches, bumping into utility poles, or getting so excited when the couple returns home that he once stepped into a bowl of water and splashed it all over the floor.
Both Masaru and Nanako are originally from Noshiro City. After getting married, they lived in Yokohama, but in September 2022, they moved to Happo Town, Akita after being appointed to the town’s Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team. Around the same time, they welcomed Chataro, then a one and a half year old, from a breeder in Noshiro.
Nanako had lived with an Akita dog at her family’s home about 20 years ago. “I was drawn to their big, fluffy bodies. Their affectionate nature was irresistible,” she recalled. But while living in a Yokohama apartment, owning a large dog wasn’t possible. She said, “I always knew that if we moved back home, I wanted an Akita dog to be part of our family.”
When they first brought Chataro home, they were captivated by his dignified, handsome expression. “But as he grew, his face became rounder and softer, making him look so cute. He used to have a sharp and noble appearance,” Nanako laughed. “Now his expression has softened, and he looks like a big stuffed animal. He’s adorable.”
They take Chataro for walks twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. In the morning, they start at 5:30 a.m. and spend 30 to 40 minutes walking around their neighborhood. He also loves tug-of-war with towels and ropes, pulling playfully against Masaru. “Thanks to walking Chataro, I’ve become an early riser and my daily routine is more balanced. It’s an essential part of my day now,” Masaru said.
After finishing their work as regional revitalization team members, the couple began full-scale pear farming in spring 2025. They took over Kasahara Fruit Orchard, which has grown Minehama pears, a local specialty, for about 140 years. On their 1.4-hectare orchard, they cultivate both Japanese and Western pears, working hard to harvest and sell them.
Chataro often waits at home while they work, but sometimes joins them at the orchard, wandering freely among the trees or rolling happily in the grass. When they share freshly cut pears with him, he munches on them with delight.
The couple is currently preparing to renovate an old fish shop in town together with fellow residents who have also relocated there, turning it into a facility where they will process pears into sweets and juice for sale.
“Even when I’m tired, seeing Chataro’s round face instantly heals me,” Masaru said. Nanako nods with a smile, “Just having Chataro with us makes us feel ready to work hard again.” As the couple pursues new dreams, Chataro continues to provide warmth and comfort by their side.
