The Kitakyushu Manga Museum is hosting “いっしょにワクワクしよう！ パンダコパンダ展 福岡・北九州市漫画ミュージアムの巻,” an exhibition centered on パンダコパンダ, the 1972 animated work known in English as Panda! Go, Panda!. Running in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, from July 18 to October 18, 2026, the show focuses on the film’s world through production materials, recreated spaces, and photo-focused displays. The official franchise site describes パンダコパンダ as an original mid-length animated film by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, and the museum presentation is built around experiencing that world directly through objects, images, and hands-on exhibition design.
What the Kitakyushu Exhibition Includes
This Kitakyushu stop presents the series as an immersive exhibition rather than a simple display of posters or merchandise. According to the museum, visitors can see valuable materials from the time of the film’s release, along with setting materials and image boards. These production-related items are paired with recreated scenes that place the work’s visual world in front of visitors in a more physical way.
One of the stated highlights is a recreated dining room, which turns a familiar part of the story’s setting into a space visitors can view as part of the exhibition. The museum also advertises a large three-dimensional Papanda object designed as a photo spot. Both the museum page and the Kitakyushu city page describe the exhibition as a hands-on way to experience the world of the film through archival and production materials, recreated scenes, and large Papanda photo objects.
The exhibition also includes goods tied specifically to this venue. Listed collaboration items limited to the venue include two acrylic stand designs priced at 990 yen each and one sticker design priced at 350 yen. The museum also lists exhibition-original goods such as die-cut cushions, eco bags, T-shirts, and acrylic key holders. During the exhibition period, venue-only coloring sheets are also part of the related programming.
Tickets, Hours, and Related Events
The exhibition is open from 11:00 to 19:00. From August 8 through August 16, the museum stays open until 20:00. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing. The regular closed day is Tuesday, but the museum states that August 11 and September 22 will be open despite falling under that rule.
Tickets are sold as same-day tickets only at the venue. Prices are 1,200 yen for adults, 600 yen for junior high and high school students, 300 yen for elementary school students, and free for preschool children. The museum also states that an exhibition ticket includes admission to the permanent exhibition room on the sixth floor, which adds value for visitors planning a full museum visit on the same day.
The museum lists several discount and free-admission cases. Preschool children are free, and some disability handbook holders plus one companion can also qualify for free admission under the museum’s listed conditions. A 20 percent discount applies to certain seniors living in Kitakyushu, Shimonoseki, Fukuoka City, Kumamoto City, or Kagoshima City, as well as groups of 30 or more and annual passport holders. Izutsuya With Card holders receive 100 yen off. Payment methods at the exhibition counter include cash, e-money, QR payment, and credit card.
Related events are spread across the run. On September 19 and September 20, 2026, Papanda commemorative photo sessions are scheduled at 12:30, 14:30, and 16:30. Each session is limited to 30 groups, and entry requires an exhibition ticket plus a same-day numbered pass distributed from 11:00 at the exhibition ticket counter. On August 11, 2026, Kitakyushu Children’s Hall will hold free screenings of the 1972 film パンダコパンダ at 13:00 and 15:00. Each screening is limited to the first 250 people and requires a numbered pass.
The citywide stamp rally also runs during the exhibition period. Stamp points are set at the exhibition venue, the museum’s permanent room, Kitakyushu Tourist Information Center, Space LABO, and Kitakyushu Children’s Hall. The museum also states that Instagram posts using the hashtag ＃パンダコパンダ展北九州 can enter a drawing for original goods.
Why This Fukuoka Stop Stands Out
This exhibition is specifically framed as a Kitakyushu event rather than a generic stop. The city page describes it as the first run in Kyushu, making the Fukuoka location part of the story. That matters because the exhibition is tied not only to the film itself but also to a local museum setting with its own related programs, city-linked stamp rally, and venue-only items.
The setup also gives visitors more than one reason to go in person. The recreated dining room and large Papanda photo object are clearly designed for on-site viewing, while the same-day ticket rule means planning ahead is useful because advance online ticketing is not part of the official information provided here. The inclusion of the sixth-floor permanent exhibition room in the admission price also makes this exhibition easier to combine with the museum’s standing displays in one visit.
For visitors interested in the film’s background, the official franchise site adds context without changing the museum’s focus. It identifies パンダコパンダ as a 1972 original animated film by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki and notes that the work was inspired by the world of Pippi Longstocking. In Kitakyushu, that history is presented through archival materials and reconstructed spaces rather than through a broad retrospective, keeping the emphasis on the film and this Fukuoka exhibition itself.
FAQ
When does the exhibition run?
It runs from July 18, 2026, to October 18, 2026.
Where is it held?
It is at the Kitakyushu Manga Museum’s special exhibition room on the 5th floor of Aruaru City in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture.
What are the opening hours?
The standard hours are 11:00 to 19:00. From August 8 to August 16, the museum is open until 20:00. Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
Is the museum closed on any days?
It is normally closed on Tuesdays, but August 11 and September 22 are open.
Can tickets be bought in advance?
No. The official information states that same-day tickets are sold only at the venue.
How much are tickets?
Adults pay 1,200 yen, junior high and high school students 600 yen, elementary school students 300 yen, and preschool children are free.
Does the exhibition ticket include anything else?
Yes. The ticket also includes admission to the museum’s permanent exhibition room on the sixth floor.
