All About JaPandas – Where to find Pandas in Japan – Kobe

By now I’m sure every reader is familiar with my love for the Giant Panda.  So with a trip to Japan coming up it’s only natural that I seek out the Pandas of Japan or JaPandas (I’m pretty sure that’ll stick as a name).

Can’t get to Kobe?  There’s Pandas at Tokyo and Shirahama too!

Pandas in Kobe/Osaka

If you’re heading for Japan you may find yourself in the Kobe/Osaka region with some spare time.  Why not add some Black and White Panda love?

Kobe is home to the Oji Zoo.  While most attractions in Japan have English language options on their websites I’ve yet to find one.  Instead I’ve relied upon www.ryuusenkaku.jp for English details.

The Oji Zoo is one of three large zoos in the Kansai area. The total area is more than 80,000 square meters with 850 animals from a total of 150 different species on the premises, including rarely seen animals such as giant panda, koala, golden snub-nosed monkey, Amur tiger, and snow-leopard among others. Some of the most popular attractions are the pandas Koko and Tantan, and the female elephant Suwako, born in 1943, making it the oldest living elephant in Japan.

Obi Park is located a 3-minute walk to the west of the “Prince Park” station or 5-minute walk to the north of JR “Nada” station the address is: Yubinbango 657-0838 Kobe, Hyogo Nada-ku, prince-cho, 3-1

 

The Zoo hours are; 9:00 to 16:30 from March to October and 9:00 to 16:00 from November to February.  The Zoo is Closed on Wednesdays.

Tickets are 600 yen per adult.

 

All About JaPandas – Where to find Pandas in Japan – Tokyo

By now I’m sure every reader is familiar with my love for the Giant Panda.  So with a trip to Japan coming up it’s only natural that I seek out the Pandas of Japan or JaPandas (I’m pretty sure that’ll stick as a name).

Not heading for Tokyo?  Maybe Kobe or Shirahama will be in reach?

Pandas in Tokyo

If you’re heading for Japan it’s probably likely that you’ll be heading for Tokyo at some stage.  Why not add some Black and White Panda love?

Tokyo is home to two Giant Pandas at the Ueno Zoological Gardens.

Ueno Zoological Gardens is the oldest zoo in Japan. Founded in 1882, it has grown over the years, expanded its area to 14.3 ha (35.2 acres) and been the flagship of the Japanese zoo world. Now it’s home to over 2,600 animals from 464 different species and provides visitors with learning experience about the diversity of animals as well as fun and enjoyment.

Located in Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, the zoo is 5-10 minites’ walk from JR Ueno Station, Subway Ueno Stations (Ginza-line or Hibiya-line), Keisei Ueno Station, or Subway Nezu Station (Chiyoda-line).

Getting to Ueno Zoo

The Zoo is home to Ri Ri and Shin Shin who arrived in 2011.

You can grab a PDF Map of the park to better plan your day.

The Zoo opens at 9:30am and closes at 5pm.  The Zoo is not open on Mondays.

Admission is very reasonable (Correct at February 2016)

Adults (16-64) 600 yen
Seniors (65+) 300 yen
Students (13-15) 200 yen
Children (0-12) Free

My Panda Story

Pandas I have seen previously: 2 (Ying Ying & Le Le)
Pandas I will see next: 6 (Xing Xing, Liang Liang, Kai Kai, Jia Jia, Wang Wang & Funi)

That will take my tally to 8/49 of the Pandas living outside of China – and perhaps 0.4% of all Pandas in existence (based on middle estimates of Panda population).

Giant Panda & Why I like them…

“Pandas, mate why are you so fascinated by Pandas?” I get asked this all the time (well ok I’ve been asked once), and I thought I’d explain.

I was born in 1975, by the time the early 1980’s rolled around I was old enough to watch and understand the documentaries on the fate of Pandas in the wild. At the time Pandas in captivity wasn’t really a “done thing” and in the wild they were “rare”. The WWF (Not the Wrestling mob) had kicked conservation efforts in gear and raised the profile of the Panda and so this young impressionable kid in Sawtell/Toormina thought he’d never see a live Panda, ever. 

For me the ability to see a real live Panda (even if in captivity) represents in one tiny way just how life can change, and just how things we thought we’d never do/see can still happen.

The Pandas for me also serve as a reminder to take the opportunity to do things when the opportunity arises, to do while I can, not complain when I can no longer.

So yes that’s the Panda story.

Giant Panda I have seen:

2012 – Ocean Park Hong Kong.  I’m fairly sure I trekked the whole park but I only recall seeing two Panda despite there being supposedly 4 in the Park.  I will have to check the pictures more carefully to ensure I’m not missing any!