Twin giant pandas to leave Tokyo's Ueno Zoo for China

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The twin giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who currently reside at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, will leave Japan on January 27 and fly back to China, according to a zoo announcement. They will make their final public appearance on January 25.

A photo taken in December, 2025, shows a poster of the twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. /VCG

A photo taken in December, 2025, shows panda-themed souvenirs on display at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. /VCG

Born at Ueno Zoo in 2021, the twins are the offspring of a pair of giant pandas that were returned to China in September 2024. Their elder sister, Xiang Xiang, made her return earlier, in February 2023.

A photo taken in December, 2025, shows giant panda Lei Lei eating bamboo at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. /VCG

Under a previous agreement between China and Japan, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were originally scheduled to return by February 2026. Japanese authorities said consultations with the Chinese side led to a decision to advance the return date by about one month.

A photo taken in December, 2025, shows visitors gathering to watch giant panda Xiao Xiao at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. /VCG

Their departure ends another chapter of Ueno Zoo's panda exchange program, which has drawn strong public interest in Japan.

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