Strange tastes in Japan that include vending machines selling ladies’ knickers and vibrator bars have now been joined by a weird bestseller book – about panda bums.

The 64-page book about panda bottoms has already sold out in Japan, where it has proven so popular that the publisher has decided to reprint it.

The book is called ‘Atsumare! Panda no Oshiri: Panketsu’ (‘Collected! Panda Butts: Panketsu’) and it was first released on 7th December.

The book features 13 pandas that are currently residing in Japanese zoos, all seen from the rear.

They include such stars as Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who were born last year at the Ueno Zoo.

The makers of the book deny that it is anything perverted, though, saying the idea is for the reader to find peace and relaxation by staring at the fluffy rear ends of the adorable pandas.

There is even a quiz to test the reader’s ability to match each panda bottom to its rightful owner.

Panketsu also contains an FAQ section in which experts provide explanations, giving the reader the full panda posterior experience.

There are questions like “Is panda fur soft?” and “Are pandas born with furry tails?”, which are all answered by the experts, giving readers the opportunity to become true panda-bum professionals.

Panketsu sells for JPY 1,320 (GBP 8.50) on Amazon Japan, and local media report that it is fast selling out there as well.

Anyone wanting to snap one up for the coffee table should make haste if they want to get a first edition, which looks like it will soon become a collector’s item.