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Feb 15 2012 22 Comments

Panda on the streets of Tokyo

After the death of the elderly Ling Ling in 2008, Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo was without a giant panda for the first time since 1972 — leaving the city’s vast black and white bear-related paraphernalia industry very much in the lurch. However, with two new arrivals last year, production has once again gone into overdrive, and it’s no surprise at all that pachinko has also got in on the act. But, with pandas practically everywhere, some passersby are clearly unimpressed with such kinds of promotion.

Ueno panda

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thom says

    2/15/2012 at 9:34 am

    The expression on that guy’s face is priceless. Great moment you captured.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/15/2012 at 9:49 pm

      Thanks Thom. I do like his look of complete and utter disinterest!

      Reply
  2. Mary says

    2/15/2012 at 3:20 pm

    Priceless moment. Great shot!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/15/2012 at 9:50 pm

      Cheers!

      Reply
  3. Hans ter Horst says

    2/15/2012 at 3:48 pm

    Agreed, the panda in combination with the lack of interest of that bloke really makes this shot

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/15/2012 at 9:52 pm

      Yeah, the panda was interesting, but without the bloke, not that interesting. Just happy he came along at just the right time.

      Reply
  4. Meow • Japan & Urbex says

    2/15/2012 at 5:18 pm

    I’d love to make that panda angry in a attempt to trigger a fight, then to run away, with the hope he would follow…

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/15/2012 at 9:53 pm

      But what if he caught you…?!

      Reply
  5. john says

    2/15/2012 at 7:23 pm

    That might create pandamonium – no more black eyes please!
    I’m glad the B.W.B.R.P.I is not R.I.P. just yet.
    It’s the bear essentials for a great capture – and it is!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/15/2012 at 9:58 pm

      Haha, cheers!

      No danger of that, it’s boom time for the B.W.B.R.P.I these days. And if the new arrivals are anywhere near as healthy as Ling Ling was, it’ll be for a long time to come too.

      Reply
  6. winnie says

    2/15/2012 at 10:42 pm

    Interesting shot!!
    I have a good laugh…! It seem like The Panda and the man Face-off. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/16/2012 at 10:41 am

      Thanks Winnie. Yeah, and the man won I think.

      Reply
  7. Lizzy says

    2/16/2012 at 7:19 am

    😀 Makes me want to learn how to say “Could I get a picture with you, Mr. Panda?” in Japanese. Of course then I’d have to frequent his establishment or I’d feel kind of bad….. I didn’t even notice the other guy until I read the comments.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/16/2012 at 10:43 am

      You definitely don’t want to do that. It’d result in an afternoon of canned coffee, countless cigarettes and a massive loss of money!

      Reply
      • Lizzy says

        2/17/2012 at 8:21 am

        Hrm. Perhaps then I’d just sneak up behind him and have someone take a picture from across the street. 😉

        Reply
        • Lee says

          2/17/2012 at 7:54 pm

          Wise move!

          Reply
  8. jhon sinaga says

    2/16/2012 at 1:05 pm

    while its winter i believe man inside panda costume was comfort.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/16/2012 at 7:30 pm

      Yes, very comfortable I’d guess, but he needs to make sure he’s got a different job come the summer…

      Reply
  9. Brett says

    2/16/2012 at 6:06 pm

    Panda on the streets of London
    Panda on the streets of Tokyo
    I wonder to myself..
    Could life ever be safe again

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/16/2012 at 7:06 pm

      Nice to see you picked up on the Smiths reference!

      Reply
  10. Brett says

    2/16/2012 at 6:21 pm

    Just as an aside, the wikipedia entry states “He served as an important symbol of the Ueno Zoo and of friendship between Japan and China”

    No wonder the poor bugger’s dead!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/16/2012 at 7:06 pm

      Yeah, even on those admittedly hefty shoulders, that was a massive burden…

      Reply

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