When it comes to "pigs," it's hard not to think of the stereotypes of being gluttonous, loving to roll in the mud, and being dirty and smelly. However, after visiting in person this time, I realized I had completely misunderstood them!
A few days ago, I visited Japan's first mini pig café, "mipig cafe," and as soon as I walked in, my heart melted.
The café follows a "pig first" principle, meaning you can't chase or pick them up; you can only quietly wait for a connection. I watched as the little pigs leisurely strolled around the space, finding their favorite corners to lie down and rest, and it was just too adorable.
Not long after I sat down, one little fellow climbed up onto my lap without hesitation and fell asleep contentedly!
Watching its little belly rise and fall with each breath made me hesitant to breathe too heavily, and I couldn't help but smile. In just an hour of interaction, I felt all the accumulated stress from daily life melt away thanks to these little cuties.
Lastly, a small reminder for friends planning to visit: to protect these adorable little pigs, the café has strict health protocols. If you are a visitor from a country affected by African swine fever, you won't be allowed in for the first two days after arriving in Japan. So, friends who want to have fun with the mini pigs should plan their visit for "after the third day of entry."
Although there's an extra procedure, knowing it's to protect their health gives me peace of mind.
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