Located in a corner of the Omachi Shopping District, this is a massive Akita dog sculpture measuring 4.6 meters in height and 4.8 meters in length. It was created by contemporary artist Yoshiaki Kurihara as an exhibit for the “Odate-Kitaakita Art Festival 2014: ‘Dogs in the Village, Bears in the Mountains,’” held in 2014.With the cooperation of local volunteers, the sculpture was completed in 2018.

The sculpture is modeled after “Nono,” the Akita dog who served as the mascot for the Zerodate Art Center (now MARUWWA Nikome), which was located in the same shopping district at the time, during her puppy days.The main material used is “Super Sol,” a lightweight recycled material provided by Kitaaki Container in Odate City.

Created with the hope that “it will become a place where new forms of communication arise, just as people meet and strike up conversations while walking their dogs,” the sculpture continues to attract tourists seeking a photo spot and local residents stopping by while walking their dogs.

The sculpture is located in a spot that might make you exclaim, “Here of all places!?” Be sure to look for it while strolling through the good-old-fashioned Omachi Shopping Street, lined with long-established stores.