Meet the adorable inhabitants of Japan’s ‘micro pig’ cafes, where tiny hogs roam free and clamber on customers’ laps
- At each of Mipig’s four stores diminutive hogs run freely around
- The stores are in Tokyo’s Shibuya and Meguro areas; Koshigaya City and Osaka
- One visitor said: ‘The pigs were excitable and adorable – it was amazing’
It’s a concept that’s bringing home the bacon.
Japan’s Mipig cafes offer customers the chance to enjoy a cup of tea and snack in the company of adorable ‘micro pigs’.
At each of Mipig’s four stores, which are getting rave reviews on Tripadvisor, the diminutive hogs run freely around, clamber on laps and make themselves available for petting, much to the delight of the customers.
Boar-dom is not an option: Japan’s Mipig cafes offer customers the chance to enjoy a cup of tea and snack in the company of adorable ‘micro pigs’
At each of Mipig’s four stores, which are getting rave reviews on Tripadvisor, the diminutive hogs run freely around
Paige Philips, 23, from Edinburgh, visited one of the cafes and described the experience as amazing.
She said: ‘I had an amazing time visiting Mipig. It was one of the top things I wanted to do on my trip as I love all things small and cute.
‘When we arrived, we were given a quick run-through on how to handle the pigs. For example, you had to wait for them to approach you, and you could not pick them up. We were then shown to a floor table in a large room filled with micro pigs.
Paige Philips, 23, from Edinburgh, visited one of the cafes and described the experience as amazing
‘The pigs were excitable and adorable, instantly trotting up to us in search of a scratch.
‘I was very impressed with the facilities and the apparent care for the animals. The experience seemed as organically organised as possible. I would definitely recommend a visit to all fellow pig-lovers.’
Mipig Café recommends that customers stretch their legs to make it easier for the pigs to climb on their laps – and stresses that the pigs rest in a separate room if they feel tired and a vet regularly checks on their health.
Mipig Café recommends that customers stretch their legs to make it easier for the pigs to climb on their laps – and stresses that the pigs rest in a separate room if they feel tired and a vet regularly checks on their health
The Mipig stores are located in the Shibuya (of busy-crossing fame) and Meguro areas of Tokyo; Koshigaya City, about 25km (15 miles) north of Tokyo, and Osaka
It adds that the animals will occasionally bite people’s fingers, mistaking them for food.
The Mipig stores are located in the Shibuya (of busy-crossing fame) and Meguro areas of Tokyo; Koshigaya City, about 25km (15 miles) north of Tokyo, and Osaka.
Customers pay 1,100 yen (about £7/$10) for a half-hour slot, with drinks priced around £4.30/$6 and snacks available to give to the pigs at the Meguro store for 300 yen (£2/$3), though limits are placed on how much they can eat.
Customers pay 1,100 yen (about £7/$10) for a half-hour slot, with drinks priced around £4.30/$6 and snacks available to give to the pigs at the Meguro store for 300 yen (£2/$3)
Taking a trip to one of the cafes could be good for your health. A study led by the University of Leeds found that watching cute animals is good for reducing stress levels and high blood pressure
The pigs will occasionally bite people’s fingers, mistaking them for food
Mipig customer Paige said: ‘I was very impressed with the facilities and the apparent care for the animals. The experience seemed as organically organised as possible. I would definitely recommend a visit to all fellow pig-lovers’
The Mipig Cafe concept is bringing home the bacon
Photography, meanwhile, is permitted, as long as the flash is off.
Taking a trip to one of the cafes could be good for your health.
A study led by the University of Leeds found that watching cute animals is good for reducing stress levels and high blood pressure.
However, life for ‘micro pigs’ – also known as ‘teacup pigs’ – isn’t always rosy.
Experts point out that there isn’t actually a micro-pig breed. They are normal pigs deliberately malnourished by unscrupulous breeders or the result of years of selective breeding to keep their size down, a process that can sometimes lead to health complications.
Some have been duped into buying a ‘micro pig’ in the expectation it would never grow beyond around 30kg, and ended up with an animal weighing over 170kg.
Pig sanctuary Pig Inn Heaven says on its ‘myth of the micro pig’ page: ‘Please do intensive research before taking on one of the animals. Pigs can live between 10 and 20 years and can end up as large as 200 kilos.’
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