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Talk about creative coping mechanisms for being alone -- from the blogger who photographs selfies with his imaginary girlfriend to the company that takes your stuffed animals on vacation without you, Japan appears to be cornering the market on accommodating solo travelers.
You can now add the "anti-loneliness" Moomin House Cafe to the menagerie of "wait, what?" strokes of Japanese brilliance.
Blog posts on the cafe's concept went viral a few weeks ago. Ever since, the shop has been packed with visitors. The best time to go is a weekday morning when it's relatively quiet.
The cafe features a family of Finnish hippo-like characters called Moomins who live in Moomin Valley and embark on various adventures with their friends.
No need to scroll self-consciously on your phone while dining alone here. Moomins come around to every table, whether you're alone or in a group.
We first wrote about the Moomin House Cafe in 2012, but the cafe went viral a few weeks ago and has since been besieged with customers wanting a taste of its "anti-loneliness" magic. CNN's Yuki Arawaka paid a visit (see gallery photos) following the cafe's new surge in popularity.
To save its lone customers from the awkward perils of solo dining, the cafe kindly seats diners with stuffed animal companions called Moomins, a family of white hippo-like characters created by Finnish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson.
Moomins are brought to each table so that patrons -- solo or in groups -- can have a turn sitting with them.
Weekday mornings are the quietest time, while weekends are packed all day long.
Respecting Moomin culture
To honor the characters' heritage, Moomin House Cafe serves bread made from Finnish rye, and offers food and pastries in the form of Moomin characters.
Cafe staff say there have been long lines almost every day since its "lonely-friendly" concept went viral.
It's a long overdue turn in the spotlight -- the cafe has been open since 2003.
There are now three Moomin Cafe locations in Japan -- the Tokyo Dome location is especially popular with Dome concert goers.
Beloved for their whimsical adventures and diverse array of characters, Moomins are celebrated in their home country of Finland and anime-obsessed Japan.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of their creator, Tove Jansson, who was born in 1914 and died in 2001.
Created by Finnish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson, Moomins have developed a cult following worldwide, inspiring Moomin-themed products, shops and even a theme park in Finland. Another park is slated to open in Japan in 2015.
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說到化解單身尷尬的好創意——無論是單身漢博主與虛擬女友自拍，還是旅行社帶顧客的毛絨玩具去旅行，日本似乎十分重視照顧單身顧客的市場需求。
如今，日本令人驚嘆的創意又多了一個——東京「姆明咖啡屋」讓你不再孤獨。
一個人用餐時，不必再不自然地滑動手機屏幕。餐廳貼心地在每張桌子旁擺放可愛的玩偶，無論你是單獨用餐還是與一群人一起進餐。
在2012年，CNN曾報導「姆明咖啡屋」。但直到幾周前，介紹咖啡屋的博客文章在網上迅速走紅，這家餐廳才真正受到關注。
自那以後，慕名前往的顧客源源不斷。工作日早上是去咖啡屋的最佳時段，環境相對安靜些。
這家咖啡屋以芬蘭卡通形象「姆明」為主題，由芬蘭插畫家、作家託芙·揚松（Tove Jansson）創作。外形酷似白色河馬的「姆明」家族生活在姆明谷，和朋友們經歷了許多奇妙歷險。
尊重「姆明」文化
為了保留「姆明」文化，「姆明咖啡屋」提供用芬蘭黑麥製作的麵包，印有姆明圖案的食物和糕點。
咖啡屋的工作人員說，自從餐廳推出的新服務在網絡走紅後，每天都有大量顧客排隊等候。
咖啡屋在2003年開張，到了最近才一夜走紅。
目前，日本共有3家「姆明咖啡店」，其中位於東京巨蛋的咖啡店特別受樂迷喜愛。
憑藉天馬行空的歷險故事和豐富多彩的角色設計，「姆明」在芬蘭和熱衷動漫的日本都大受歡迎。
今年是「姆明」創作者託芙·揚松的100歲誕辰。揚松出生於1914年，於2001年去世。
「姆明」在全世界都受到熱捧，擁有相關主題產品、商店，甚至在芬蘭還有一家主題公園。另外一座主題公園將於2015年在日本對外開放。
（譯者 沈瑜 編輯 丹妮）
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