• 2023-03-23
  • 2023-03-23

Love It Like a Pet Dog! Akita Dog Keychains Made of Cowhide Leather

Akita dog keychains made of cowhide leather by “Leatherworks ROVER” in Asahikawa-minamimachi, Akita City, have been well received by Akita dog fans in and outside of Akita Prefecture for their rich coloring and cute expressions. Following the popularity of the store’s Namahagekeychain, the owner, Mr. Masato Sugawara, created a unique […]

  • 2023-03-14
  • 2023-03-14

Akita Dogs Gather at the Inukko Dog Festival Full of Cute Expressions!

The Inukko Dog Festival, a small New Year’s event in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, is said to have originated in the Edo period when people offered dog figurines at the front of their houses to prevent thieves from entering. Snow sculptures of dogs and shrines built from snow line the […]

  • 2023-02-24
  • 2023-02-24

Two Signboard Dogs of Tohbei Onsen Keep Your Body and Heart Warm

As winter gets colder and colder, one of the things people long for is an onsen (hot spring). Tohbei Onsen Karamatsu Sanso, a hot springs hotel in Kyowa Funaoka, Daisen City, has two signature dogs, an Akita, and a Chihuahua. They are good friends even though their body size is […]

  • 2023-02-14
  • 2023-02-14

Akita Dog Crisis Needs Hachiko’s Help! A Donation Website Launched for Protection Activities

“Akita Inu Tourism,” a Destination Management/Marketing Organization (DMO) formed by four municipalities including Odate City, Akita Prefecture, and One for Akita, a general incorporated association involved in Akita dog protection activities, have launched a website to collect donations for the protection of Akita dogs. https://donation.visitakita.com/ Akita Inu Tourism was established […]

  • 2023-01-31
  • 2023-01-31

Yumi, the Signature Dog of Kobayashi Sake Shop

Yutaka Kobayashi runs the Kobayashi Sake Shop in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. He has an Akita dog named Yumi (two-year-old female), who became popular after a video of her pushing a cart was posted to social media. Mr. Kobayashi said, “I never intended to make Yumi my signature dog, but […]

  • 2022-12-06
  • 2022-12-06

Struggling to Become a Signature Dog! Maru at a Children’s Cafeteria in Odate City

Maru (one-year-old female), a brindle Akita dog, lives at the kodomo shokudo (children’s cafeteria) “Maru-chan” in Odate City, Akita Prefecture. She is now struggling to become a signature dog to entertain visitors to the cafeteria. The children’s cafeteria is opened about twice a month by a citizens’ group called “Volunteer […]

>Where Dogs Connect Akita and the World

Where Dogs Connect Akita and the World

Akita Inu (dogs), with their fluffy coat, round eyes, and an adorable tail that curls up, are now famous worldwide. Akita dogs have a strong body and are best known for their loyal personality. The number of Akita dogs raised overseas continues to increase. In Akita Prefecture, the Akita dog's birthplace, there is an active movement to utilize them for tourism promotion. Akita Sakigake Shimpo, entitled "Akitainu News," will circulate various domestic and international information about Akita dogs. The goal is to connect the world and Akita through Akita dogs.

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