I loved the Nara park, there are so many place to see, temples, museums, shrines and much more. Best part was the deers, they were everyday where and mostly friendly to people. If you are feeding food to deers beware they will chase you around.
I would recommend climbing more up because the deer in the park are pretty aggressive. The deer that were up were so chill and I gave them crackers because people probably don’t give them as much as in the tourisy area. But the deer are very cute and it is so surprising seeing them cross the road. Recommend!
I first visited Nara over 10 years ago, and it truly feels like the deer population has multiplied since then — there are so many deer everywhere. One thing to keep in mind is that these are wild animals. They are friendly, but do not provoke them. If I’m being honest, some tourists were behaving a bit silly. Be gentle with the deer. Be respectful. Female deer can become aggressive in spring after giving birth as they protect their offspring, and male deer may show aggression in autumn during mating season, so extra caution is needed. The Japanese consider them sacred animals. You can purchase deer biscuits to feed them. Deer crackers have been part of Nara’s culture since the Edo period and represent a long-standing tradition of interaction between people and the deer. Do not feed them anything else. Watch your belongings. If, like me, you get a little nervous around animals, you can cross the road to avoid some of the deer — though you will most likely encounter a few while exploring Nara.
Beautiful and memorable place with a fantastic mix of nature, history and culture. The free-roaming deer make the experience genuinely unique, while the surrounding greenery, traditional architecture and peaceful walking paths create a really atmospheric setting. There is plenty to explore, and the combination of wildlife and historic sights makes it feel very different from other places in Japan. Definitely worth visiting, especially if you have time to explore beyond the busiest areas.
An absolute highlight of our trip! A magical experience for kids.
We had a wonderful day exploring Nara Park with our kid, and it was easily one of our favorite family experiences in Japan. The blend of beautiful nature, ancient history, and friendly animals is perfect.
The park grounds are massive and stunning, leading you directly to magnificent shrines and temples. Seeing the incredible wooden structures and walking through the peaceful paths felt like stepping back in time.
The biggest hit for our kid was, of course, the free-roaming deer! You can buy special deer crackers (shika-senbei) from local vendors all over the park for just 200 yen a pack. My kid enjoyed feeding them so much—it was incredibly fun to watch the deer politely "bow" their heads to ask for a cookie.
Tips for Parents:
The deer are generally very gentle, but they can get enthusiastic if they see you holding cookies! If your child gets a bit startled, just hold your empty hands up to show the deer you're all out, and they will walk away.
The park involves a lot of walking between the different temples and shrines, so comfortable walking shoes are a must for everyone.
It’s an unforgettable, interactive day out that both adults and children will love. Highly recommend making the trip here!
