Bun-kou (ぶん公) was a smart dog similar to Hachi-kou (ハチ公) at Shibuya Station. The suffix “kou” (公) indicates familiarity, often used for beloved figures like Ieyasu-kou, the great shogun of Tokugawa. Dogs are sometimes affectionately called “Wanko” or “Wankoro” in reference to this.
According to records, Bun-kou was found crying at a fire site and was rescued and cared for by firefighters at the Otaru fire station in the early Showa era, around the 1930s. Bun-kou mimicked the firefighters’ actions closely; whenever there was a fire, he would quickly jump onto the fire truck. Upon arrival, he would hold fire hoses in his mouth to prevent them from tangling, and he even helped manage crowds gathered to watch the fires.
Bun-kou’s heroic actions were reported in newspapers and broadcasted on radios throughout Japan, making him a famous fire dog loved by many citizens and children. His deeds numbered over 1,000 operations, solidifying his place in local lore and national admiration.
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He died on February 2, 1938, 24 years old. The statue of Bun-kou was built in honor of his achievements on July 21, 2006.
Bun-kou is located in front of Unga Plaza, where the tourist information center is housed.
From Otaru Station, proceed straight down the main street towards the canal; you’ll find Bun-kou on the left side.
Alternatively, if you park at the Otaru City public parking lot, it’s just a 3-minute walk to reach Bun-kou.
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