
Meet the new winged Hachiko of the field. You could probably stage a ballet out of this story somehow.
Touching stories of animals and humans who have formed a bond are often just heartbreaking. Stories like police dogs mourning their partners really pull at our heartstrings. Japan, of course, has its famous story of the dog Hachiko, who would make its way to Shibuya Station each day to wait for his master to come home, long after his master had passed away. Well, move over Hachiko, there’s a new patient animal in town, as this Japanese person reveals with the following touching account on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/abey69/status/786135446350737408My mother was returning home when she found a swan sitting in the middle of a field. It just kept sitting there so she asked a local about it. They said that the swan is really attached to an old man who brings bread for it every winter. But this year, the old man was sent to a nursing home. The swan doesn’t know that, so it has returned and is constantly waiting for him there.
▼ Where are the swan buddies?!?
Several Twitter users asked whether people have given the swan bread, but it seems that whenever someone else tries to give it bread, it becomes threatening and gets really angry. And @abey69 doesn’t think this swan even cares about the bread.
パンが欲しかったんじゃなくておじいちゃんに会いたいんだな…と思うと涙しかでない
— ソライモネ/Mone Sorai (@soraimo69) October 12, 2016
I don’t think it wants bread. I think it wants to see the old man, and when I realize that, I can’t stop crying.
Like a gut punch, that just hit us right in the feels. Forgive us while we wipe away the tears. Hopefully something can be done to help the swan move on, or maybe the nursing home can arrange a trip for him to visit his avian friend. We hope that they can meet at least one more time; we couldn’t bear it if they didn’t.
Source: My Game News Flash
Top image: Flickr/Takashi Hososhima


Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Secret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Same character, different animator – Fans compile comparison charts for anime’s biggest stars
Do Japanese women check out each other’s lingerie at the hot springs? Survey investigates
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Are 500-yen noodles at Akihabara Ramen Center a great find or cheap miss?
Secret Starbucks sausage customization sparks sweet joy in Japan[Taste test]
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Same character, different animator – Fans compile comparison charts for anime’s biggest stars
Do Japanese women check out each other’s lingerie at the hot springs? Survey investigates
Uniqlo celebrates sumo with new line of historical sumo art T-shirts【Photos】
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Sanrio changes Hello Kitty lead designer for first time in 46 years
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki releases new artworks, still wants to make movies
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan