Apply now to see the pandas before they leave Japan

The last two remaining pandas in Japan are scheduled to go back to China at the end of January 2026. When they are returned to China, there will be nowhere left in Japan to see Panda. This will be the first time in over 50 years that Japan will be without panda. They have requested for other panda to be loaned to Japan, but reportedly there are currently none available for loan.

Due to the popularity of the panda at Ueno Zoo, Taito-ku, Tokyo, from December 16th you will no longer be able to visit them freely at the zoo. From the 16th they will introduce a new system, where you can only view from specific sections and for just for one minute. Furthermore, from December 23rd, you can only visit the panda if you have booked online. Moreover, from January 14th viewing is restricted to people who are successful in an online lottery for a last chance to see the panda before they leave. 

For panda fans, its always sad when the panda are returned to China. Particularly those pandas that were born in Japan, such as the final two panda, "Lei Lei" and "Xiao Xiao" who were born in Ueno Zoo in 2021. If you want to see them before they leave, apply as soon as possible for the winter break slots, and / or submit your entry into the lottery to see them the last weeks they are in Japan.

The panda photo in this post is a is a panda made out of Styrofoam in Kawagoe City.