Twin giant panda cubs are drawing crowds at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens. Starting on Tuesday, visitors will be able to see them without drawing lots.

Male cub Xiao Xiao his sister Lei Lei were born in June, 2021.

To avoid putting stress on the young animals, only those visitors lucky enough in a drawing for tickets had been allowed to see the pandas. But the zoo has now determined that both cubs are now growing steadily enough for anyone to see them at any time.

A long line formed at the panda exhibit before it opened on Wednesday. People were taken inside in groups of 25.

Viewing time was limited to one minute. Visitors took photos of the twins eating bamboo shoots and frolicking with their mother, Shin Shin.

The zoo says the twins are so alike that even their caretakers cannot tell them apart, but that they have completely opposite personalities. Xiao Xiao is the sensitive one, and Lei Lei is bolder.

A woman who lost the viewing drawing four times says she is happy to see the cubs for the first time, looking so healthy. She says she wants to watch them grow up.

Another pair of newborn twin pandas are on display at an aquarium in Yokohama City. They are not giant pandas, but lesser pandas, also known as red pandas.

The red pandas, also male and female, were born in July this year.

A visitor who came with her family says it's the first time she has seen red panda cubs and that they are very cute.

Animal handler Otsubo Hiromi says caring for the red pandas has been difficult because they were nursed artificially. She says it is deeply moving to see visitors finally enjoying them.

The red pandas will be on public display until October 16.