TOKYO - In Harajuku, Tokyo’s trendsetting district, animal cafes are rapidly multiplying along the bustling Takeshita Street, drawing large crowds of foreign tourists.
Visitors can now interact with a wide range of animals, from ferrets napping peacefully in a young girl’s arms to a man joyfully cuddling a meerkat. On May 18th, one animal cafe was packed with visitors enjoying close encounters with five species, including fennec foxes with their signature upright ears, round hedgehogs, and even capybaras.
"There's nothing like this in Australia. The animals are just too cute," said a tourist from Australia, clearly thrilled by the unique experience unavailable back home.
According to Yuka Washi, manager of Harajuku Kawaii Zoo, "These kinds of shops have definitely increased a lot. It feels like they suddenly popped up all at once recently."
Currently, eight animal cafes operate along Takeshita Street, including a popular Samoyed dog cafe that draws crowds daily. The area is gaining attention as a possible 'Zoo Street' for its growing cluster of animal-themed establishments.
Also trending is a cafe specializing in micro pigs—smaller than even mini pigs—with around 20 uniquely colored pigs running around the space. One group of men from Ireland found themselves surrounded by seven pigs during their visit.
"It's great that just by walking through town, you can say, 'Let's go see the pigs' or 'Let's go see the dogs'," said one of the Irish visitors, praising the easy access to animal encounters.
Why has Takeshita Street become such a hotspot for animal cafes?
Shiho Kitagawa from mipig cafe’s PR team explains: "When working with animals, it’s often difficult due to restrictions on properties or opposition from local merchant associations. But here, thanks to the cooperation of the entire community, animal cafe businesses are welcomed and able to operate."
As Harajuku continues to evolve as a launchpad for new trends, the rise of animal cafes reflects a uniquely Japanese take on healing culture—one that foreign tourists are quickly falling in love with.
Source: FNN
