An annual memorial ceremony has been held for Hachiko, the famous Akita dog whose loyalty to his owner has been made into movies in Japan and abroad.

About 80 people attended the 89th edition of the event on Monday near the Hachiko statue just outside Tokyo's Shibuya Station.

Born in 1923, Hachiko waited for his owner to return from work each day at Shibuya Station even after he died.

Hachiko later died on March 8, 1935. A group of local businesses and a tourism association hold the memorial event every year one month after the day of his death to coincide with the cherry blossom season.

This year's participants included relatives of sculptor Ando Takeshi, who created the statue, and Shibuya Mayor Hasebe Ken.

A Shinto ritual was held as tourists looked on. The participants offered sprigs from a sacred tree and laid a flower wreath on the statue.

The sculptor's daughter Ando Junko says she is glad the ceremony was held when cherry trees are in full bloom.

She adds she hopes the statue will be a symbol of peace.