Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, known for its connection with Hachiko, the loyal Akita dog born in Odate City, Akita Prefecture, is operating its own smartphone payment app called “Hachi-Pay.” The app has been well received for its cute barking sound when paying bills and its service that awards points equivalent to […]
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 […]
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 […]
On February 9th, 2023, the Akita Dog Preservation Society, a public interest incorporated association, announced it is holding its spring exhibition in Daisen City, Akita, on May 3rd, 2023. It was an exceptional move, as the spring exhibition has been held for over 80 years in Odate City, Akita, where […]
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 […]
“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 […]
A stuffed toy keychain limited to Akita Prefecture featuring “Chiikawa,” a popular manga and anime character dressed as an Akita dog, has been attracting attention. Chiikawa is the main character of the manga “Chiikawa: Something Small and Cute,” which has been serialized on Twitter by the illustrator Ms. Nagano since […]
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 […]
Kira (11-year-old female) and her daughter Yura (eight-year-old female), who were popular at Akita dog-related events and were exhibit members of the Akita Inu no Sato of the Odate City Visitor Center, have “retired” from their work. The reasons were illness and aging, and they will not appear at events […]
The winter issue of Shi-Ba, a Japanese Dog magazine published by Tatsumi Shuppan (Tokyo) in November last year, featured Akita dogs, including ones from Akita Prefecture, with over 34 pages. According to the magazine’s representative, this is the first-time other dogs except Shiba dogs have been on the cover page […]
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.
