This park was our first stop on our Kyoto day trip. It is known for the deer all around the park. As soon as we arrived, there was no doubt. There were hundreds of deer walking all over the park. Somehow they knew the boundaries of the park as none of them walked up to the high traffic street right next to the park.
There was a lady who sold crackers for the deer feeding. The deep are aggressive, we saw several tourists getting attached, poked and harassed cause they didn’t know how to manage the flock of deer. The tour guide taught us to clap and show empty palms to the deer to let them know we had no food. And it worked, deer stopped following us as soon as we did that. There were poop traps along the ground too, had to step carefully as we walked around the park.
On the opposite side of the park they had the Nara Park Bus Terminal. Here they had a 7-Eleven, restrooms, shops and a sitting area for visitors to take a break from the heat during hot summer days.
A very huge park with so much activity you can do.
Hiking to see the shrine, feed the deer, or just enjoy the view of park. Always crowded, but because it is so huge, so it manageable. It's very clean too.
The deer is polite, you can feed the deer with deer crackers. Its cost 200 yen.
If you want to hike, there are some of shrine deeper in the woods.
The deeper you go, the more desolate it was.
Maybe because many people just went around the park with the deer.
You need almost half of day to explore the park.
It is suitable to go for a day trip if you are in Kyoto or Osaka.
Nara Park, often called Nara Deer Park, is a unique and enchanting public park in the city of Nara. This expansive park is famous for its historical temples and museums and its hundreds of freely roaming deer, considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods. The deer are tame and have become a symbol of the city and a major attraction for visitors from all over the world.
Spanning over 1,240 acres, Nara Park is home to some of Japan’s most venerated sites, including Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and the Nara National Museum. The park's natural scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring to colorful leaves in autumn, making every visit a picturesque experience.
Visitors to the park can interact with the deer, which are surprisingly friendly and accustomed to human presence. You can feed them with special deer crackers called "shika senbei," which are available for purchase within the park. This interaction provides a unique and memorable experience, allowing a close encounter with nature and wildlife.
Hours:
24/7
Closed:
No closing days
Available:
All year
Minimum Age:
All ages are welcome.
Fees
Free
