2020.05.03

The Life of a Japanese Panda During the COVID-19 Lockdown

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Ueno Zoo is famous for its pandas, and thankfully we’re getting frequent updates despite the coronavirus quarantine.

With Tokyo nearing a month under an official state of emergency lockdown, and Japan in general practicing social distancing since almost the beginning of the year, all of us (including the Japankuru team) are starting to feel it. Which is probably why it's so satisfying right now for us all to see Ueno Zoo's pandas looking just as bored, lazy, and stationary as we all feel.

いい天気・・・
いつもの場所で・・・
みなさんもGWのお休みはゆっくりお過ごしください。#やっぱりやぐらの一番上 #デイパン #臨時休園中 #休園中の動物園水族館 pic.twitter.com/8LYeqUGlb8

— 上野動物園［公式］ (@UenoZooGardens) April 29, 2020

Just look at that yawn from Xiang Xiang (also known as Shan Shan). We get it, Xiang Xiang. It's a lazy day in Ueno.

10時のリーリー#デイパン #臨時休園中 #休園中の動物園水族館 pic.twitter.com/D0dc2VUraL

— 上野動物園［公式］ (@UenoZooGardens) April 30, 2020

Ueno Zoo is just one of the many zoos and aquariums around Japan who have been sharing their cutest animals on Twitter every day, to bring a little bit of joy to our stressful quarantined lives. But there's something about the way pandas live every day that makes Ueno Zoo's daily panda updates seem particularly appropriate. I mean, just look at Ri Ri (Xiang Xiang's father) taking a nap in the corner. Is that not all of us right now?

今日の降りかた#今日は小さい放飼場 #デイパン #臨時休園中 #休園中の動物園水族館 pic.twitter.com/jOv22vZlfG

— 上野動物園［公式］ (@UenoZooGardens) April 28, 2020

Xiang Xiang climbing down to just dive right into a pile of bamboo is just like every single one of us searching for snacks all day after accomplishing… anything at all.

4回目の観察で、「長いタケノコを発見したシャンシャン」を発見！ #先端部を握って食べ進めます #デイパン #臨時休園中 #休園中の動物園水族館 pic.twitter.com/EQ5mwA0cs6

— 上野動物園［公式］ (@UenoZooGardens) April 30, 2020

After refraining from going out to eat in public for months, even that bamboo is starting to look pretty good.

今日の食事風景①
竹筒を振って#固形飼料を取り出します！
（あれ…その2つは竹筒を振る前から出ていたよ。）#デイパン #臨時休園中 #休園中の動物園水族館 pic.twitter.com/zNQPod5rNC

— 上野動物園［公式］ (@UenoZooGardens) April 27, 2020

There's just no resisting the adorably relatable antics of Ueno Zoo's pandas, and we're immensely grateful that they're keeping up such regular updates! We can't wait to see what the zoo's pandas are up to tomorrow, too.

Have you been following any Japanese zoos or aquariums on the internet lately? Found any criminally cute animals out there? Let us know on the Japankuru twitter, instagram, and facebook!

Details

NAME:Ueno Zoo

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

https://twitter.com/UenoZooGardens

Sophia Appelbaum

Half a lifetime ago I came to Japan for a semester abroad... and I never left. I guess I really like the place! I spent my first few years in Japan living in the middle of nowhere, so I'd love to hear your Tokyo recommendations via Japankuru's social media accounts!

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- KAGAWA
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  Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
- KYUSHU
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  Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
- FUKUOKA
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  Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
- KAGOSHIMA
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  Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
- OKINAWA
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  The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.