The giant panda Tan Tan, beloved as the symbol of Kobe’s Oji Zoo, has been gone for some time now. Since her absence, many have wondered: what has become of the Panda House? A visit reveals that through remaining displays and notices, Tan Tan’s legacy still speaks quietly to visitors.
Memories of Oji Zoo and Tan Tan
For many, Oji Zoo was synonymous with “the panda.” Tan Tan was more than just an animal; she was a presence that made visitors smile and became an irreplaceable part of Kobe’s identity. Even after her passing, the zoo has found ways to keep her memory alive.
Notices Marking a Farewell
A notice informing visitors of Tan Tan’s passing is posted.
Walking through the zoo, visitors find signs and boards once dedicated to pandas now bearing a message: “Thank you for your support of Tan Tan.” These words, carefully posted, gently remind guests of the reality that Tan Tan is no longer here. Reading them is enough to make one’s heart tighten with the weight of loss.
Inside the Panda House: “The Story of Kobe and the Giant Pandas”
The current appearance of the Panda House.
At the entrance, the Panda House still carries the sign “The Story of Kobe and the Giant Pandas.” Inside, the exhibits remain preserved as they were. Along the walls, photos and documents trace the history of Tan Tan and the other pandas who once lived in Kobe.
Inside the hall, exhibits about pandas remain on display.
In the space where Tan Tan once resided, a life-sized panel photo now stands. For a moment, it feels as if she might still be there. Surrounding it are items she actually used—feeding bowls, enrichment tools, and other equipment—displayed alongside photographs of her daily life. Looking at these objects, paired with images of Tan Tan herself, may bring a tear to the eye.
Tan Tan’s feeding bowls and sugarcane juice are on exhibit.
An Empty Outdoor Enclosure
The outdoor panda enclosure now stands empty without its beloved resident.
Stepping outside, visitors find the outdoor enclosure unchanged, the same ground where Tan Tan once strolled. The grass and trees are well kept, but without her presence the area feels empty, as though a piece of the heart of the zoo has been taken away.
The Panda House as a Place of Memory
Today, the Panda House is a place where “emptiness” and “memory” coexist. It stands as quiet proof that Tan Tan was truly here. Even without a living panda, Oji Zoo has become a site where her story is preserved and shared, offering a space for visitors to remember and reflect.
🐼 Access to Kobe Oji Zoo (English Guide)
Address
Kobe Oji Zoo
3-1 Oji-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 657-0838, Japan
Nearest stations
-
Hankyu: Ojikoen Station (3–5 min on foot)
-
JR: Nada Station (about 10 min on foot)
-
Hanshin: Iwaya Station (about 10 min on foot)
