Over the years, the Japan Zoo has accumulated its fair share of romantic storylines and legends. One famous tale is that of a couple who met at the zoo during World War II. The couple, who were both zoo employees, fell in love while caring for the animals and eventually got married. Their love story has been passed down through generations, inspiring countless others.

: After being "dumped" by his long-time mate for a younger penguin, Grape-kun became a global sensation when he seemingly fell in love with a cardboard cutout of Hululu , an anthropomorphic penguin character from the anime Kemono Friends .

At Ueno Zoo, the line for Xiang Xiang the giant panda winds for hours. But for Yuki and Haru, it wasn’t the panda that drew them together—it was the wait. Strangers at first, they shared an umbrella during a sudden spring rain. By the time they reached the glass, the panda was asleep. “Typical,” Haru laughed. “We waited an hour for a fur ball.” Yuki, a zookeeper herself at a small aquarium in Chiba, smiled. “That’s love,” she said. “You wait forever, and sometimes all you get is a sleeping giant.”

In terms of real-life relationships, there have been instances of celebrities and influencers visiting the Tokyo Zoo and sharing their experiences on social media. Some have even used the zoo as a romantic date spot.