When you see Pandas in modern society, it is always in a zoo surrounded with bamboo or falling out of a tree on some instagram meme, but where do they actually call home?
We know there is not just one type of Panda in the world but does one of them live in Japan? We are here to find out.
This guide will cover whether any Pandas live in Japan or originate from there.
It will include what types of Panda do or don’t live there and where they can be found!
Are There Any Pandas In Japan?
The only Pandas that you will find in Japan will unfortunately only be in zoos because they do not originate from Japan.
They are found in other parts of Asia but definitely not in Japan.
Giant Pandas
As we know, there are two different types of Pandas, the giant panda and the red pandas.
These giant pandas are found in South-central China where they are found in forest areas near the mountains surrounded by lots of bamboo because they love it so much.
The giant pandas did actually used to live on the lower levels of ground but now they tend to live thousands of feet above sea level.
This is all because of human influence on the land which includes farming and deforestation.
When humans started invading their natural habitats, they had to find a different place to adapt to.
This is the only way for them to stay safe and prevent being an endangered species which they still do fall into.
Therefore, they will only be found in the higher ranger away from all of the human developments on the ground.
Red Pandas
There are many more red pandas that can be found across different reigns. For example, they can be found in China, India and Nepal.
Similar to the giant panda, in areas of China, the red pandas will also be found at higher levels away from all of the human noise and danger, with their bamboo in the forests.
Why Are pandas So Popular In Japan?
Even though Pandas have never been native to Japan whatsoever, The Japanese people have been obsessed with the idea of pandas for a very long time.
Pandas are the most loved animal in Japan and the love for them is more than any other country in the world.
Pandas were found in 1860 in China for the first time by the French and some were brought over to America and the UK so they could live in zoos and be looked at by specialists.
Therefore, people around the world have been able to see pandas quite easily in zoos for a very long time, but a panda never came to Japan until 1970 which was not too long ago. Since then, the whole of Japan basically fell in love with the creature.
In 2017, Japan welcomed a new baby Panda into their zoo which made the people even more excited.
They refer to these pandas as very cute creatures and that is why they fell in love with them. They are very clumsy and silly which is why people love to watch them.
What’s The Difference Between The Red And The Giant?
This might come as a big shock, but there are no relations between the two which is why they look very different.
Even though they both have the name ‘panda’, the Giant panda actually originates from a regular grizzly bear (see also ‘The Two Ferocious Bears In Japan‘) which you can probably tell by how they walk. Therefore, they have very different physical differences.
The giant panda really lives up to its name by being a lot bigger than the red panda.
If you look at the red panda in the face, they also have some similarities to a racoon as well!
Where Can You Go To See Pandas In Japan?
The rules have been changed about pandas throughout the years because of their protection.
They only live in the wild in China now because that is their natural habitat and it’s better for them than in captivity.
There are also laws across the world to say that you are not allowed to have any pandas as a pet or in private captivity.
All pandas across the world belong to China and the ones in Japan are on lease to the zoo.
Here are some places in Japan that you are able to visit a panda:
Adventure World, Wakayama
This is the type of place you would travel to visit because of the opportunity to get up close to the pandas.
At Adventure world, they offer tours where you can feed apples to the pandas and also have the baby panda that you can see too!
This is one of the best safaris you can visit because they made a pledge to make the animals’ environments as close to their natural habitat as they possibly could.
Kobe Oji zoo
This particular zoo held many pandas over the years that were on lease from China. However, when the lease is up, which is what happened recently, they do not know when they will get another back.
It is always a waiting game to see if any pandas become available again. As we know, pandas are endangered species and living in zoos is basically captivity for them.
Conclusion
Overall, pandas do not come from Japan originally but the people who live in Japan really do wish they did.
From 1972 when pandas were brought over to Japan, they were mesmerized with this animal, something they had not witnessed before as they had fallen in love with the way they are.
Now, you can see a lot of their branding and tourist toys all have something panda related which is spread across the whole of Japan.
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand the differences between the different types of pandas, where they come from and how the leasing system works.
Technically all of the pandas that are leased out to other countries belong to China which is why Japan has to lease as well as America.
Pandas are very unique animals (see also ‘Native & Wild Animals That Live In Japan‘) which are beautiful to look at which is why more safaris need to be an option instead of small zoos.
The first safari I mentioned above is great for people to see the pandas because there has been an area like their natural habitat for them to live in and enjoy while they are leased out.
Therefore, they are not in a small enclosure made to live somewhere they aren’t used to.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
