Lesser pandas and bowl of rice topped with steak in Sabae City

The other day, I had a lunch in Sabae City. After that, I went to Nishiyama Zoo for the first time in quite a while. For lunch, I had a bowl of rice topped with steak (B lunch) at Grill Sepia. Grill Sepia is a kind of old-style restaurant and has been popular for their meat dishes since long before the recent steak boom began. B lunch is served only from Monday to Saturday and it costs 1,000 yen (exclusive of tax). It is hearty and the meat is tender. They serve extra sauce, so you can add it as desired. It’s delicious and very reasonable price.

A mother and a boy sitting at the table behind me ordered the B lunch too and they were saying happily it was very good. I also felt happy to hear that.

Now, my main purpose of the Nishiyama Zoo is lesser pandas. The zoo has succeeded in breeding lesser pandas most in the country. And admission to the park is free. Of course, all lesser pandas were so cute!

There is a newly-built “Lesser pandas’ house” at the rear of existing panda’s house now. The new house keeps the warm wooden feature. And also there is an outdoor space for them, so the many pandas look relaxed. (H.S)

                    The bowl of rice topped with steak (B lunch) at Grill Sepia.

    Female lesser panda Hikari. Hikari is my favorite panda in the Nishiyama Zoo.

                              Look at the cute Hikari's little bright eyes!

                Male lesser panda YanYan gets a snack from a breeding staff.

                                                YanYan can stand!

                                          Male lesser panda Mutan.
                                   After grooming himself, he grabs his tale.