After China decided to take back most of the giant pandas living in Japanese zoos, workers in Wakayama found a lighthearted way to cope — by dressing up as the beloved animals and turning the loss into a moment of humor.
With political tensions rising between the two countries, China is set to remove all of its pandas from Japan by the end of January 2026. Adventure World, a zoo and amusement park in Wakayama, had already returned its four pandas in 2025 and has since launched a playful program where staff wear panda costumes, relax in the empty enclosures, and even pretend to be “fed” by fellow keepers.
The initiative, called the Panda Love Program, lets visitors pay about $51 to experience a day in the life of a panda caretaker. Guests can help prepare meals, observe animal behavior, complete daily reports, and check habitat safety — all while interacting with the costumed staff.
The 90-minute experience is designed to teach visitors about the bond between pandas and their caregivers, while also keeping the spirit of the animals alive after their departure. Participants can even “feed” the panda-costumed workers apples through a cage for added fun.
Only two pandas remain in Japan — Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo — but they are also scheduled to return to China by the end of January. Their farewell has already drawn long lines of emotional visitors hoping for one last glimpse.
China has long used panda loans as part of its “panda diplomacy,” retaining ownership of every animal and the right to recall them at any time. With relations between China and Japan strained, experts say the chances of pandas returning to Japanese zoos anytime soon remain slim.
For now, Japan’s zoos are using creativity and humor to fill the empty spaces left behind — proving that even in political moments, a little joy can still be found.