All About the Giant Panda Family in Ueno Zoo, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

A giant panda cub was born in Ueno Zoo, which is one of the most popular places in Tokyo, in June, 2017. Want to see photos? Want to meet them on your trip to Tokyo? This article is all about the giant pandas living in Ueno Zoo and travel advice based on my own experience.

Shin Shin and Ri Ri came from China to Japan in 2011. There wasn’t any giant panda in Ueno Zoo for some years, so Tokyo locals were so happy to see them. By the way, how do you think giant pandas are like? If you think they are gentle animals who are always napping, you’ll get surprised to see Shin Shin.

It’s so fun to see her because she is doing something interesting whenever I go to see her. Even if she is sleeping, she wakes up in 2 hours at the most (from my experience). I remember the giant panda who used to live in Ueno Zoo when I was 3 or 4 years old. She was old and always sleeping. I didn’t see her moving at all.

On the contrary, Shin Shin is super active! I have seen so many zoo visitors saying, “I had a wrong image about giant pandas!” People think that giant pandas are sweet and quiet animals, so they get surprised at Shin Shin’s energetic actions and attitudes. I love her, too. After she gave birth, she has been living with her daughter in the following. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).