As Japan’s number one companion dog, it’s not surprising Shiba Inus can be found in many major roles in Japanese films and TV shows. Finding one outside Japanese cinema is less common, but you can see them pretending to be Akita puppies in the American Hachiko remake.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Do to Anata no Monogatari * AKA: Happy Together: All About My Dog * Year: 2011 * Country: Japan * Breed content: Unknown
Japan An anthology of short stories about the canine/human bond in movie form.
Dude, Where’s My Dog? * Year: 2014 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
“Harry”, played by Lucky Bear, is a tricolored Shiba who can only be seen a few times in the film and does little but stand around with the humans and play with a ball.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale * AKA: Hachiko * Year: 2008 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
Shibas play “Hachiko” as a puppy.
Harasu no Ita Hibi * Year: 1989 * Country: Japan * Breed content: Unknown
Himawari to koinu no 7-kakan * AKA: Seven Days of Himawari and Her Puppies * Year: 2012 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
A major Shiba Inu film.
Inubaka * Year: 2009 * Country: Japan * Breed content: Medium
Based on the popular manga by Yukiya Sakuragi. The link above is for the manga. The Inubaka movie does not seem to be available outside of Japan.
Inu no kieta hi * Year: 2011 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
Japanese TV movie based on a novel by Komichi Inoue. Also starring a German Shepherd Dog.
Inu to arukeba: Chirori to Tamura * AKA: Walking with the Dog * Year: 2004 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
About a Shiba therapy dog. Hard to find outside of Japan.
Little Heroes 3 * AKA: Top Dogs: Little Heroes 3 * Year: 2002 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: Low
Only in one quick scene on a grooming table.
Mari to koinu no monogatari * AKA: A Tale of Mari and Three Puppies * Year: 2007 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
Based on a true story of a Shiba and her puppies struggling to survive after deadly earthquakes. A moving drama, but far too much about the human beings over its 124 minutes.
Yôjû Mameshiba Bokyo hen * AKA: Mameshiba: Cubbish Puppy * Year: 2009 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
Comedy movie spinoff from the Japanese TV show. There is a whole series of these titles, but only one or two appear to be real movies, including one in 3D. Also called Mameshiba Ichiro and other variations. The story is about a man and Shiba puppy named “Ichiro”.
Know more Shiba Inu movies? Please send info to [email protected]. Thank you!