This facility is a tourist attraction showcasing the appeal of the popular Akita dog breed both domestically and internationally. It features a museum explaining the history and characteristics of Akita dogs, a tourist information center, and a souvenir shop.
Visitors can view Akita dogs up close in the facility’s exhibition room, while the adjacent lawn area provides a space for both visiting dogs and their owners to play and enjoy themselves.
The facility’s exterior design is inspired by the Shibuya Station building in Tokyo from the Taisho to early Showa periods, where the loyal dog Hachiko, born in the former Niida Village (now part of Odate City), waited for his owner’s return. The Hachiko statue, previously near Odate Station, has been relocated in front of the facility.
The grand opening ceremony on the 8th will feature a ribbon-cutting by the “Akita Dog Interaction Team,” along with a Hachiko dog face-in panel and red-and-white curtains inspired by Akita dog fur, promising a fully “fluffy” experience.
Additionally, two initiatives will be launched ahead of the grand opening.
Starting April 26th, the web video “Akita Dogs Guide You to Odate’s Charm!? ‘Odate Lesson by Akita Dog’ [Odate City Official]” is being streamed. The video features Akita dogs embodying Odate City specialties like kiritanpo, Hinai chicken, Akita cedar, and Mount Tashiro, alongside a girl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8vqPkTxPos
Starting May 1, a countdown advertisement will run in the Akita Sakigake Shinpo newspaper until the facility’s opening day. Featuring an Akita dog as the main visual in the same newspaper space every day, it expresses the dog’s steadfast anticipation for visitors to the facility.
Official Facility Website: https://akitainunosato.jp/