An Akita puppy born in a Japanese monastery is being shipped to the United States. He goes right up to Parker Wilson (Richard Gere), who has just gotten off the train on his way home from his teaching job at a university. The professor assumes someone will be looking for this obviously purebred puppy, but the station manager (Jason Alexander) won't take responsibility for him and has no place to keep him. So Parker, who loves dogs, takes him home. he names him "Hachi" Parker tells his wife Cate (Joan Allen), who is unenthusiastic about having a new pet, that he won't keep him.Soon the man and the puppy are very attached to one another. Cate finally realizes that this four-legged newcomer needs to stay.