Twin pandas draw record crowds on final public day at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo

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Giant panda Lei Lei (female) eats bamboo at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, January 25, 2026. /VCG

The twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo marked their final day of public appearance on Sunday, drawing large crowds as visitors flocked to bid farewell ahead of the pair's scheduled return to China on January 27.

People take photographs of giant panda Lei Lei on her final public appearance day at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, January 25, 2026. /VCG

Visitors wishing to see Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei have been required to make reservations since late December 2025. Attendance on Sunday was capped at 4,400 people, while reservation requests exceeded 100,000 – about 24.6 times the daily limit – making it the most in-demand day since the reservation system was introduced.

Photo shows Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, January 25, 2026. /VCG

The lottery for visits between January 14 and the final open day on Sunday received a total of more than 310,000 applications, according to local media reports.

Giant panda Lei Lei is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, January 25, 2026. /VCG

Born at Ueno Zoo in 2021, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are the offspring of giant pandas Bi Li and Xian Nv, who returned to China in September 2024. Their older sister, Xiang Xiang, returned to China in February 2023.

Giant panda Xiao Xiao (male) is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, January 25, 2026. /VCG

Giant panda Xiao Xiao eats bamboo at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, January 25, 2026. /VCG

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