Pug Cafe!

You’re probably familiar with Japanese cat cafes — they’re popular enough that we’ve even got a couple in Toronto.

Well, Kyoto has a pug cafe, and yeah — it’s just as amazing as you’d hope.  Whoever came up with this is a genius, because being surrounded by about a dozen snorting, wheezing pugs is flat-out delightful.

It costs 1200 yen for an hour of pug time.  It’s the best 1200 yen I’ve ever spent.  That includes a small bowl of dog treats that you can dole out to the pugs as you desire, as well as some human snacks.

This is Purin, one of the oldest of the dogs (the owner referred to her as grandma, and based on the pug family tree they gave me, that’s literally true).  She was the wheeziest of the bunch, and the most laid back.  She relaxed next to me for most of the time I was there.

And I mean, look at that face.  How can you not fall in love with that face?

Regal, right?

This is Roko, my second favourite.  He was sleeping on my lap for pretty much the entirety of my visit.

But let’s face it, they were all great.

This isn’t necessarily the most solo-friendly activity, as there really isn’t all that much to do here other than be surrounded by pugs.  But for me?  That was enough.  That was more than enough.