2026 年1月25日，對許多日本民眾而言，是一個既溫柔又令人心碎的日子。旅居日本的雙胞胎大熊貓「曉曉」（Xiao Xiao）與「蕾蕾」（Lei Lei），在東京上野動物園迎來對外公開展示的最後一天。自消息公布以來，這對自出生起便備受關注的熊貓姊妹掀起了前所未有的告別熱潮，成為日本社會一場全民參與的情感事件。

根據園方統計，為了爭取這最後一次見面的機會，累計超過31 萬人事先預約參觀，抽選倍率甚至一度超過20倍，競爭激烈程度堪比熱門演唱會門票。上野動物園連日來人潮洶湧，今天清晨尚未開園，園外便已排起蜿蜒長龍。寒風中，有人裹著厚外套靜靜等候，也有人為了確保能入園，乾脆前一晚就帶著折疊椅在動物園外通宵守候，只為親眼向「曉曉」與「蕾蕾」說一聲再見。

由於參觀人數遠超平日，園方實施極為嚴格的人流控管措施。即便成功入園，民眾往往仍需排隊數小時，有時甚至長達四到五個小時，而實際能站在展示窗前凝望熊貓的時間，往往只有短短約一分鐘。即便如此，幾乎沒有人抱怨，因為對許多粉絲而言，這一分鐘本身就具有無可取代的意義。

告別現場的情緒格外濃烈。不少民眾身穿印有熊貓圖案的衣物，手中拿著寫滿祝福的卡片，有人紅著眼眶，有人忍不住落淚，隔著玻璃向正在吃竹子或安靜休息的「曉曉」與「蕾蕾」揮手致意。園區內設置的留言牆早已被密密麻麻的文字填滿，上面寫著「謝謝你們帶來的快樂」、「一定要健康長大」、「我們會想念你們」等溫暖而真摯的話語，凝聚無數日本民眾的依依不捨。

「曉曉」與「蕾蕾」於2021年出生，是曾在日本引發熊貓熱潮的「力力」（Ri Ri）與「真真」（Shin Shin）的孩子。原本依照中日雙方的租借協議，牠們預計在2026 年2月返回中國。然而，考量到「力力」與「真真」年事已高，近年健康狀況出現變化，雙方經協商後，決定將兩隻幼熊的返還時間提前，以利後續的照護與安排。

依照既定行程，「曉曉」與「蕾蕾」將於1月27日正式啟程返回中國。這也意味著，在牠們離開後，日本全境將暫時不再有大熊貓展出，對長年喜愛熊貓的日本民眾而言，無疑是一段空白期。對此，中國外交部也公開表示，歡迎日本民眾未來前往中國，親自探望這些深受喜愛的大熊貓，延續這份跨越國界的情感連結。

在上野動物園的最後一天，「曉曉」與「蕾蕾」不只是動物，更像是一段共同記憶的象徵。牠們靜靜地待在展示場內，而場外的人群，則用耐心、淚水與微笑，為這段旅日歲月畫下溫柔而深刻的句點。

January 25, 2026, became a day filled with both warmth and heartbreak for many people in Japan. On this day, the giant panda twins “Xiao Xiao” and “Lei Lei,” who had been living in Japan, made their final public appearance at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Since the announcement of their departure, the sisters—who have been in the spotlight since birth—sparked an unprecedented farewell frenzy, turning the event into a nationwide emotional moment.

According to the zoo, more than 310,000 people applied in advance for a chance to see the pandas one last time, with the lottery odds at times exceeding 20 to 1, rivaling the difficulty of securing tickets for a major concert. In the days leading up to the farewell, Ueno Zoo was packed with visitors. Early this morning, even before the gates opened, long lines had already formed outside. In the cold winter air, people waited patiently in heavy coats, and some devoted fans even brought folding chairs and stayed overnight outside the zoo just to ensure they could catch a final glimpse of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei.

Due to the overwhelming crowds, the zoo implemented strict crowd-control measures. Even after entering the park, visitors often had to wait in line for several hours—sometimes as long as four to five hours—only to spend about one minute in front of the panda enclosure. Despite this, there were hardly any complaints. For many fans, that single minute was priceless and irreplaceable.

The farewell scenes were deeply emotional. Many visitors wore panda-themed clothing or held handwritten cards with messages of love and gratitude. Some wiped away tears, others waved quietly through the glass at Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei as they ate bamboo or rested peacefully. A message wall set up in the park was soon completely filled with notes saying things like “Thank you for the joy you brought us,” “Please grow up healthy and strong,” and “We will miss you,” reflecting the heartfelt attachment of countless Japanese fans.

Born in 2021, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are the offspring of Ri Ri and Shin Shin, the pandas whose presence once sparked a major panda boom in Japan and who have already returned to China. Under the original Sino-Japanese loan agreement, the twins were scheduled to return to China in February 2026. However, considering that Ri Ri and Shin Shin are now advanced in age and have experienced changes in their health, both sides agreed to move the return date forward to ensure better care and long-term planning.

According to the confirmed schedule, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will depart for China on January 27. Their departure means that, for the time being, there will be no giant pandas on display anywhere in Japan. For panda lovers across the country, this represents a significant and emotional absence. In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Japanese visitors are welcome to travel to China in the future to see the giant pandas, continuing this bond of affection that transcends national borders.

On their final day at Ueno Zoo, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were more than just animals—they became symbols of a shared memory. While the twins remained quietly inside their enclosure, the crowds outside expressed their love through patience, tears, and smiles, gently bringing this chapter of the pandas’ life in Japan to a touching and unforgettable close.