ODATE, Akita Prefecture--Furusawa Onsen is a small hot spring inn with only seven guest rooms operating in the city where Hachiko, the world’s most celebrated dog, was born.

Like Hidesaburo Ueno, the agricultural science professor at Tokyo Imperial University who owned the original Hachiko in the early 20th century, the lodging is a big fan of the Akita Inu breed and has two of its own, a mother and daughter, who greet guests at the entrance.

The inn had a loyal fanbase welcoming both domestic and foreign guests but fell on hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It eventually managed to pull through, and the owners, sisters Kaori Kobayashi, 50, and Katsura Sasaki, 54, are in no doubt that the dogs--Haru, 8, and Hana, 7--saved the day.

The sisters explain to the uninitiated how to interact with dogs before there is any stroking or petting. But usually, guests need no introductions. The dogs like nothing better than to give newcomers a sniff or two before cuddling up to them by chairs and sofas in the lobby. 

Some people visit simply to feel the warmth of the Akita Inu while others come because they lost their own dogs and ache to be with one.

Guests often share personal stories as they mingle and play with the animals.

About 80 percent of overnight guests stay at the inn to meet Haru and Hana and 60 percent are repeat customers. Tourists from overseas account for 20 percent.

MASCOT DOGS

Kobayashi was still in her 20s when she took over the inn in 1998, having spent four years working at a hotel in Chiba Prefecture after obtaining a cooking license.

Her father died suddenly two weeks after she got back. Kobayashi relied on her older sister and their mother for support.

She soon noticed that fewer customers who knew her father were staying at the inn.

Kobayashi acquired Haru in 2017 after a guest expressed surprise there was no place in the city to see Akita Inu dogs even though it was the birthplace of Hachiko.

At first, people turned up at Furusawa Onsen to take pictures of Haru and left. Eventually, though, the inn began to attract guests eager for a soak at the hot spring or an overnight stay.

The number of foreign visitors grew after the inn was featured in an in-flight magazine of Japan Airlines Co. carried on international routes.

Haru gave birth to six puppies in May 2018 after mating with an Akita Inu dog from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture.

Because Akita Inu are renowned for their loyalty to their owner, five of the puppies were quickly put up for adoption before they could form an attachment, leaving Haru and Hana as mascots of the inn.

THE COVID-19 CRISIS

Furusawa Onsen’s reputation took off after it caught the media’s fancy.

But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The number of guests dwindled as travel restrictions started to bite and foreign tourists were effectively shut out of Japan.

The situation lasted for three long years.

Guests who had mingled with Haru and Hana offered a helping hand.

Messages from past guests poured in through social media from across the world to say that they would wait until travel conditions improved. Some of them also sent masks when the products were extremely in short supply. 

The sisters feared they would lose the inn, but instead of giving up decided to look at a new business model and make improvements to the building.

They started a crowdfunding campaign to raise 3.5 million yen ($23,400) to cover not only maintenance costs but also expenses for roof repairs and a rest space for the dogs.

The fundraising drive exceeded its goal by raising 3.9 million yen from 364 people.

The sisters were deeply moved by the compassion shown by supporters. It reminded them of how Akita Inu dogs behave with their owners.

Kobayashi posts on Instagram every day to let past visitors know how the dogs are doing.

Her account attracts up to about 50,000 views a day.

Haru, who is 70 years old in human terms, underwent surgery last year to remove her uterus.

Kobayashi wants the dog to “retire” soon, but that is easier said than done as Haru is a mothering type and refuses to leave her daughter’s side.

“If I’m not around, she gets worried and doesn’t eat,” Kobayashi also said.

The tab per person for a 30-minute mingling session with the dogs is 1,100 yen.

The session can be bundled with a ticket to soak at the onsen, have lunch or stay overnight.

Reservations are required.

For inquiries and reservations, visit the official website at (https://furusawaonsen.com/).