The deep irony is that Hachiko wouldn’t even have been able to enjoy this tasty souvenir for himself.

The story of Hachiko is famous not only throughout Japan but across the world. The resonant story of a dog who waited patiently for his master to return, even after his master passed away, is a guaranteed way to tug on the heartstrings of even the most stone-hearted of people.

To this day, Hachiko is remembered in pop culture references, cinema and a variety of sculpted statues, with the most famous of these being the bronze Hachiko statue that waits outside Shibuya station, exactly where the real Hachiko waited for his owner each day.

The statue in Shibuya is a popular meeting place, and shows up in all manner of manga and games. And now, as a new tourism initiative, you can buy your very own tiny Hachiko statues to take home with you!

Except you shouldn’t expect these ones to wait around as long as the statue itself, or even the original dog. You see, these recreations of Hachiko are made from milk chocolate.

▼ Fittingly, one box contains eight (hachi in Japanese) chocolate Hachikos

With such beautiful, high-detail replications made out of a foodstuff that almost everyone can agree on, the box makes a great souvenir for international travelers, but even Tokyo natives can appreciate the work that went into this cute, canine candy.

The box itself is emblazoned with stylish designs reminiscent of the Taisho era that Hachiko lived through, and even the font on the box was specially engineered for the promotion of Shibuya.

▼ Designed by local students and based on the work of Shibuya residents with disabilities, usage fees for the font go towards disability support in Shibuya.

One box will set you back 1,200 yen (US$11) plus tax, and will initially be sold at the grand opening of the Shibuya Sky observation deck, part of the newly developed Shibuya Scramble Square. Visitors to Shibuya Sky will be able to purchase their box of Hachikos at the gift shop on November 1, alongside other Shibuya-repping products like sake and protective charms.

But don’t worry if you can’t make it — the Hachiko chocolates will be also be available at other department stores, specialty stores and mass retailers later.

▼ Is Hachiko as delicious as he was devoted? Buy a box to find out!

Unfortunately, being a dog, Hachiko wouldn’t be able to enjoy his own tasty chocolate treat even if he were alive. Thankfully, Tokyo already gave him the best present a dog could ask for: a memorial statue to immortalize him together with his human owner, reuniting them for good.

Source, images: PR Times via Japaaan Magazine
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