Mipig Cafe is a chain of micro pig cafes located across Japan. The concept is simple: interact with adorable micro pigs which will help them socialise before they find a new home. However, I’ve come to learn that things aren’t always as they appear, especially in these cute animal cafes you see across Instagram and TikTok. This year, I visited one of these trending cafes, Mipig in Osaka. Regrettably without much prior research. So, what is the dirt on these micropig cafes and are they ethical? In this article, I will share what I have learned since my visit.
Mipig is a type of animal cafe, a style of cafe that has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. According to Japan Times in 2023, 60% of animal cafes in Japan contain exotic species restricted by international trade laws. These include critically endangered species such as Bengal slow lorises and Sunda slow lorises. Animals are kept in artificial enclosures, handled by people with little to no experience with the type of species. Mipig specialises in micropigs.
So, what exactly are “micropigs” or “teacup pigs”? Any breed of pig weighing under 350 pounds is considered a micropig. However, the average micropig grows to 60 pounds, meaning they may not be as “micro” as some might believe. This can lead to the pigs being abandoned. Micropigs are undeniably cute, intelligent, and friendly creatures, but there is strong evidence that this breed of pig is non-existent.
Is Mipig Cafe Ethical?
According to PETA, micropigs are not a recognised breed, instead, their small size is a result of severe malnourishment. This practice, along with forced breeding, often involving inbreeding, leads to offspring with a higher risk of developing low bone density, reduced immunity, and compromised mental capacity. Along with this, these pigs are forcibly separated from their mothers at an early age, potentially further harming their physical as well as emotional development.
Notably, Mipig is secretive about the origins of their pigs, raising concerns about the breeding practices and animal welfare standards employed by their suppliers. This lack of transparency is, at best, suspicious.
What Happens To The Pigs At Mipig Cafe?
The Mipig website claims that the cafe is a place for the pigs to learn how to socialise before they go to their new home. Customers of Mipig can also purchase the micropigs from the cafe. Aside from this, there is not much information on where the pigs go once they age if they are not purchased. Another bit of vital information that Mipig withholds.
Visiting Mipig In Japan – My Experience
Mipig Cafe Reservation
Reserving a time for Mipig was easy, I used Google reservations. I booked on the day and was not required to provide my credit card details. I visited on a weekday at 4 pm, it was not busy.
Mipig Cafe Price
It costs ¥1,870 for 30 minutes, ¥2,970 for 60 minutes, and goes up to ¥7,370 for 180 minutes.
There is also an option to book a private room with two micropigs for an extra ¥550 per 30 minutes. Personally, I think a private room is not needed, and 30 minutes in the main room is more than enough.
My Experience at Mipig Cafe
Unfortunately, I did not research the ethics of micropig cafes prior to making my reservation. I had only been to a bunny cafe in Krakow, where the animals received ample rest, weren’t held, and had a dedicated and spacious area. I naively assumed Mipig would be similar.
We booked a 30-minute slot for ¥1,870 per person, which included a drink that could be consumed in the pig pen.
Upon entering, we had to sanitise our hands, remove our shoes and wear provided foot covers. The enclosure had a few cushions, tables, and blankets for us to use. When the pigs entered, they immediately ran to people, climbed onto laps, and quickly fell asleep. They seemed to enjoy sleeping together, groups of 3-4 pigs would climb on one another and sleep.
The Mipig website claims the pigs choose who to interact with. However, I observed the opposite. While some pigs did choose people, there were instances where a handler brought a pig in, placed it on someone, and left. This behaviour suggested the pigs had limited choice on whether they wanted interaction or not.
I noticed a few of the younger-looking pigs chomping and foaming at the mouth, this is a sign of stress according to this article by minipiginfo.com. Although foaming at the mouth is a normal behaviour of pigs exhibited in the anticipation of food, when it is accompanied by chomping it is a sign of stress. Not all pigs appeared stressed, some genuinely did look relaxed.
Would I recommend Mipig Cafe?
Knowing what I know now about the ethics of Mipig, and other animal cafes, I would not recommend visiting this cafe or any other exotic animal cafe for that matter. The constant interaction with new people likely causes significant stress for the pigs, who often appear exhausted and desperate for sleep. Furthermore, it raises a major red flag that the cafe is not transparent regarding where the pigs are sourced from, along with what happens once they grow up if not purchased.
If you’re considering visiting Mipig cafe in Japan, please reconsider and research ethical alternatives. This will allow you to enjoy interacting with animals while supporting businesses that prioritize their well-being.
How to find ethical animal cafes in Japan
Some ethical animal cafe green flags include; cafes that partner with rescue shelters, cafes where the animals are not over tired or stressed, and cafes that are honest about where the animals are sourced from.
The most ethical animal cafes are ones that focus on domesticated animals. There are many cat cafes that work with rescue centres to rehome abandoned cats such as Neco Republic. As well as cat cafes, dog cafes are becoming increasingly popular. Find dog cafes that focus on socialising dogs who have been obtained from rescue centres or adopted such as Hogoken cafe.
I know it can be tempting to visit these cute animals, but no one goes with bad intentions. When else would you normally get the opportunity to get this close to certain species, it seems exciting. However, the reality is darker, and the animals we love suffer tremendously, just for 30 minutes of “fun”.
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Written by Tara O’Reilly | 4th March 2024
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