Hachiko Statue in Shibuya to be closed from New Year’s Eve to early morning on New Year’s Day

The Hachiko statue in Shibuya, Tokyo, will be closed from New Year’s Eve to early morning on New Year’s Day, the Shibuya ward government announced on December 27, 2023. The closure is to ensure safety due to the possibility of congestion as people gather for the New Year’s Eve countdown.

The closure will take place from 6:00 a.m. on December 31 to 1:00 a.m. on January 1. During this time, the area around the Hachiko statue will be off-limits.

The Shibuya ward government explained that the Hachiko statue is a symbol of Shibuya and is loved by many people. The closure was decided in order to ensure that people can safely welcome the New Year.

The Hachikō statue was built in 1934 in honor of the faithful dog Hachiko. Every year on New Year’s Eve, large crowds gather at the statue to countdown to the new year.

The Shibuya ward government will continue to review whether to close the statue in the future based on the congestion situation and safety concerns.