Shin Shin & Xiang Xiang

Giant Pandas Shin Shin & Xiang Xiang, mother and daughter at Ueno Zoo, Tokyo. Xiang Xiang was born in June 2017 and returned to China in February 2023.

The last remaining giant pandas, beloved twin cubs Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, were officially returned to China in late January 2026 after their loan agreement expired. This departure marked a historic transition, leaving Japan without giant pandas for the first time since 1972.

RR: June alternative RR
Date: June 19

Koala

A beautiful koala from Tama Zoo, a zoo located in Hino, Tokyo. The zoo has three ecological zones (the Asiatic Zone, African Zone, and Australian Zone) and the Insectarium. The Australian Zone was constructed in 1984 to commemorate the twinning of Tokyo and the state of New South Wales, Australia. Since then koalas have always been exhibited at Tama Zoo.

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: July 2

Xiang Xiang

Xiang Xiang was born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in 2017. She now lives at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. The 400-hectare facility is nestled in lush green mountains. There are about 60 pandas in residence that are cared for and protected.

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Feb 24

Tokyo Disney Resort

A Christmas card from Tokyo Disney Resort.
RR: Vacation RR
Date: Dec 11

Lei Lei

Giant Panda cub Lei Lei, born on June 23, 2021 - Ueno Zoo

Ueno Zoo is the oldest zoo in Japan and one of Ueno’s biggest attractions. The big celebrities at Ueno Zoo are the giant pandas. The zoo has had pandas since the first pair were donated in 1972 as a gesture of friendship from China to Japan. The current pair of pandas are a male called Ri Ri, and a female called Shin Shin, which arrived at the zoo in 2011. In 2017 Shin Shin gave birth to Xiang Xiang (female)  and had twins Xiao Xiao (male) and Lei Lei (female) in  2021.

Tag: Zoo tag
Date: June 5

Tokyo Metropolitan Government

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is often visited by tourists for its free observation decks which provide good panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond. The 243 meter tall building has two towers, and each houses an observatory at a height of 202 meters. It had been the tallest building in Tokyo until it was overtaken by the Midtown Tower in 2007. With favorable weather conditions, famous landmarks such as Mount Fuji, the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Meiji Shrine and the Tokyo Dome can be seen from the observatories. Each observatory has a cafe and a souvenir shop. The towers and the surrounding buildings contain offices and the assembly hall of the metropolitan government of Tokyo. On the second story of the building, there is a tourist information center. Periodically, the center holds fairs during which local products from selected regions are introduced and put on sale.

RR: All About Your Country
Date: May 30

Cinderellabration

Cinderellabration: Lights of Romance was a show taking place in front of Cinderella Castle at both Tokyo Disneyland at night and Magic Kingdom during the day. The show showcased Cinderella's royal crowning. It was held every winter from 2003 to 2008 during the Cinderellabration event at Tokyo.

Tag: Offer tag
Date: May 15

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Tokyo Imperial Palace is located in the very center of Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Since 1869, the historical site in Tokyo has been officially used as a residence of Japan’s Imperial family. The palace grounds boast beautiful natural spots as well as historic structures which can be found around the massive area including beautiful parks and gardens.

Tag: Favourite tag
Date: Sept 22

Tokyo Disney Resort

The Tokyo Disney Resort is a theme park and vacation resort located in Urayasu. The resort opened on April 15, 1983 as a single theme park Tokyo Disneyland, later developing into a resort with a second theme park Tokyo DisneySea, five Disney hotels, six non-Disney hotels and a shopping complex Ikspiari. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney theme park to open outside the United States and the resort is the only Disney Parks resort in the world not owned or operated by The Walt Disney Company in any capacity.

Many thanks Maria!
Date: May 6

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower, a communications and observation tower, is the second highest structure in Japan. It is loved as a builing representing Tokyo. Standing 333 meters high in the center of Tokyo, Tokyo Tower is the world's tallest, self-supported steel tower and 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower.  The tower's main deck at 150 meters is reached via elevator or a 600-step staircase. Thanks to the tower's central location, the observatory offers an interesting view of the city. A second set of elevators connect the main deck to the 250 meter high top deck, from where you can get a bird's eye view of Tokyo from high above the surrounding buildings.

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Feb 5

Tokyo

Tokyo skyline with Tokyo Tower, the second-tallest structure in Japan, 332.9 meters high. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower that is painted white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations.

RR: September Alternative RR
Date: Sept 15

Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. With a height of 634 meters, it is the tallest structure in Japan and the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with an aquarium is located at its base. The highlight of the Tokyo Skytree is its two observation decks which offer spectacular views out over Tokyo. The two enclosed decks are located at heights of 350 and 450 meters respectively, making them the highest observation decks in Japan and some of the highest in the world.

RR: September alternative RR
Date: Sept 1