Pandas Xiao Xiao, Lei Lei Set to Leave Ueno Zoo

The twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will depart Ueno Zoo and sail back to China in January 2026, with their final public viewing slated for January 25, 2026. The pair, born at the zoo in 2021, have become the most photographed residents in recent years, drawing crowds from across Osaka and beyond. Their exit marks the end of a 15‑year era that began when their parents arrived from China in 2011, and it will leave the nation without any giant pandas for the first time since the species first set foot on Japanese soil in 1972. For foreign residents and tourists alike, the pandas’ departure signals a sudden loss of one of Osaka’s most recognizable attractions, potentially reshaping weekend itineraries and travel plans that previously hinged on a visit to Ueno Zoo. The animals have driven record‑breaking attendance, with long queues forming each time the twins were spotted munching bamboo or napping side by side. Without them, the zoo’s visitor numbers are expected to dip, affecting nearby businesses that rely on the steady flow of panda‑focused foot traffic, and prompting cultural‑heritage groups to rethink how they promote Osaka’s wildlife offerings. The imminent farewell primarily concerns panda enthusiasts, families with school‑age children, and expatriates who have incorporated the twins into their cultural immersion experiences. Xiao Xiao, the male, and Lei Lei, the female, have been featured in English‑language guidebooks, school field‑trip curricula, and multilingual zoo signage, making them a touchstone for non‑Japanese speakers learning about the country’s wildlife diplomacy. Their departure will also affect tour operators that market “panda‑watching” packages to visitors from neighboring Asian cities and Europe, as well as local volunteers who assist with daily enrichment activities. The twins’ lease was originally set to run until the end of February 2026, but Tokyo officials and Chinese authorities agreed to an earlier hand‑over, effectively shortening the term by about a month. Their parents, the pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin, who arrived in 2011 under the same loan framework, returned to China in September 2024, fulfilling the first half of the agreement. Ownership of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei has remained with China throughout their lives, as stipulated by the breeding and research loan contract that governs all panda exchanges between the two nations. Visitors hoping to witness the twins’ last appearance must secure a timed‑entry ticket for January 25, 2026, as the zoo will limit admissions to manage crowd density. First, access the Ueno Zoo English portal and select the “Final Panda Viewing” event calendar entry. Next, choose an available 30‑minute slot, complete the short personal‑information form, and confirm payment via credit card or PayPay. After confirmation, a QR code will be emailed; printing it is optional, as staff can scan the code on a smartphone. Arrive five minutes before the slot, present the QR code at the gate, and proceed directly to the panda enclosure for the scheduled viewing. The accelerated return introduces several hurdles: the earlier date compresses the window for fans to plan travel, especially those needing visas or inter‑city train reservations. Moreover, the twins are not the only pandas leaving Japan; the four individuals housed at Adventure World in Wakayama Prefecture were repatriated earlier this year, reducing the country’s overall panda population. Their older sister, Xiang Xiang, was already sent back to China in February 2023, illustrating a pattern of staggered returns that complicates long‑term exhibition planning. Finally, the broader diplomatic chill between Japan and China adds uncertainty to any future loan negotiations, meaning no guarantee that new pandas will replace the departing pair. Japan’s panda saga began in earnest after the death of male panda Ling Ling in 2008, which left Ueno Zoo panda‑free for several years. The arrival of Ri Ri and Shin Shin in 2011 revived public enthusiasm and sparked a wave of “panda diplomacy” that saw the zoo’s attendance soar. The twins’ birth in 2021 was celebrated as a milestone in the breeding program, reinforcing the scientific collaboration embedded in the loan agreement. However, the recent diplomatic rift—exacerbated by trade disputes and political statements—has cast a shadow over the goodwill that once underpinned these exchanges, prompting both governments to reassess the strategic value of animal loans as soft‑power tools. Unlike Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, which has relied on a handful of high‑profile pandas, the Adventure World facility in Wakayama managed a small herd of four pandas that were returned to China earlier in 2024, illustrating regional variation in loan duration and public engagement. In contrast, the United States’ Smithsonian National Zoo maintains a longer‑term partnership with China, keeping a pair of pandas for over a decade, which has helped sustain steady visitor numbers and educational programs. The Japanese experience thus mirrors a broader global trend: where diplomatic tensions rise, panda loans often become the first cultural casualties, whereas nations with stable bilateral ties enjoy more enduring animal exchanges. Visit www.ueno-zoo.jp/en and click “Events” to locate the “Final Panda Viewing – Jan 25, 2026.” Choose a 30‑minute slot that fits your schedule; slots fill within hours of release. Complete the registration form, providing passport number for verification. Pay the ¥2,500 admission fee using a credit card or Japan’s popular e‑money services. Save the confirmation email and QR code; have it ready on your smartphone for entry. Plan transportation via the JR Yamanote Line to Ueno Station, allowing extra time for security checks. Arrive early to enjoy the surrounding exhibits, as the panda enclosure will be cleared shortly after the viewing window closes. For assistance in English, call the Ueno Zoo information desk at +81‑3‑3828‑1111 between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays; operators can guide you through ticket purchase and accessibility options. The Osaka Tourist Information Center, located near Namba Station, offers printed maps and multilingual brochures on zoo hours and nearby attractions. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a China‑Japan cultural exchange hotline (0570‑123‑456) for inquiries about the loan agreement’s legal aspects. Finally, the China Embassy in Tokyo provides an English‑language FAQ on panda repatriation procedures, reachable at +81‑3‑3403‑3388. 2021 – Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are born at Ueno Zoo, becoming the first pandas conceived on Japanese soil. February 2023 – their older sister Xiang Xiang departs for China under the original loan schedule. September 2024 – parents Ri Ri and Shin Shin return to China, ending their 13‑year stay. Early 2024 – the four pandas at Adventure World are repatriated, leaving only the twins in Japan. January 2026 – the twins’ final public viewing occurs on the 25th, followed by their departure later that month. End of February 2026 – the lease officially expires, though the pandas will already be abroad. From Ling Ling’s sorrowful passing in 2008 to the twins’ bittersweet farewell in 2026, Japan’s panda chapter has spanned half a century of smiles, diplomatic overtures, and unforgettable bamboo‑filled afternoons