Visitors snap photos of twin giant panda cubs Xiao Xiao (L) and Lei Lei File Photo: VCG

More than 4,000 people lined up even before the zoo opened on Sunday, the last day visitors could see the pandas without a reservation, according to Japan's Fuji News Network, as Ueno Zoological Gardens announced that online reservations in advance will be required to view the pandas starting December 23.

The last two giant pandas in Japan, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, will return to China in early 2026, as China-Japan panda loan agreement is set to expire. 

Due to overwhelming demand, the zoo stopped accepting new reservations for panda viewing just one and a half hours after opening on Sunday. Each visitor was allowed to view the pandas for about one minute, per the report.

The report, citing comments from visitors, said some fans expressed sadness and a sense of loss, saying it felt "as if something big were missing," while others said the long wait was worth it and that they "cherished the brief one-minute viewing, making sure to take it all in."

Japanese media previously reported that the twin pandas, loaned from China to Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo for breeding and research purposes, are scheduled to be returned to China in late January next year as the loan period comes to an end. Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are currently the only giant pandas in Japan. 

After the news broke out last week, Japanese people flocked on have a final glimpse of the pair, bringing waiting time for entry up to 240 minutes, according to TV Asahi.

Global Times