Nara Park

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Nara Park

A popular park in Japan.

4.21 23

Last update :
Supervised by :  Nara Park

Nara Park is a scenic area surrounded by historical and cultural treasures, including Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kohfukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, the Nara National Museum, and Shoso-in. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of its expansive greenery while exploring these iconic landmarks. The park is located in the center of the city, making it easily accessible to various tourist spots.

The vast Nara Park spans approximately 511 hectares, extending to include the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a Special Natural Monument. The park is also home to wild deer, designated as a Natural Monument under the name "Nara no Shika" (Nara Deer). These deer have grown accustomed to people, and visitors can enjoy feeding them with special "shika senbei" (deer crackers), which are available for purchase. Note: Feeding them anything other than deer crackers is strictly prohibited!

Nara Park also hosts various events throughout the year, adding to its charm. One of the most spectacular is the Wakakusa Yamayaki, where the night sky is dramatically illuminated by the burning of Mt. Wakakusa. For event schedules and details about Nara Park and its surroundings, visitors can check the official website, "Nara Park Quick Guide", which features an annual event calendar—a useful resource for planning a trip.

Highlights

  • Located in the center of the city with easy access, you can enjoy the rich nature.
  • There are many historical and cultural heritage sites around the city.
  • One of the park’s unique features is the presence of wild deer, which roam freely in and around the area.
  • Although deer are accustomed to people, they are wild animals and should be treated with caution due to their spontaneous behavior.
  • Be mindful of park etiquette—make sure to take your trash with you and enjoy responsibly.

Photos

  • Deer in Nara Park

    Deer in Nara Park

  • You can also enjoy feeding the deer

    You can also enjoy feeding the deer

Reviews

23

Some reviews are AI-translated.

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    What I was looking forward to most in Nara was Nara Park! As soon as I entered the park, I saw so many deer wandering around. Some were leisurely grazing, while others walked right up to visitors to ask for deer crackers. They weren't afraid of people at all.

    Feeding the deer up close for the first time was both exciting and nerve-racking. As soon as I held out the deer crackers, I was surrounded. The deer also kept nodding their heads as if to say, “Give me another one!”

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    Nara Park is much bigger than I imagined, and once you enter, you can see deer everywhere. Some walk slowly along the roadside, some lie on the grass to rest, and others stand right next to visitors, as if they're already used to everyone coming to see them. The park has many tall trees and green lawns, along with old buildings and stone lanterns. It's very pleasant to walk around, and the whole atmosphere is relaxing.

    When you visit Nara Park, you have to buy deer crackers to feed the deer. It's practically become a must-do activity. When you first get the crackers, you may think the deer are cute and gentle, but as soon as they notice you have food, they'll immediately come over. Some keep staring at you, while others may follow you, nudge you with their heads, or bite your clothes to hurry you into handing over the crackers.

    Be a little careful when feeding them, because more and more deer may gather nearby, and before you know it, you can be surrounded. Although it can be startling when a deer suddenly approaches, it's still fun to watch them eat. When you're done, open your hands to show them there's no food left, and they'll usually slowly walk away.

    Besides feeding the deer, it's also pleasant to stroll through the park and enjoy the scenery. Overall, Nara Park is a great place to explore at a leisurely pace, and it also lets you experience Nara's distinctive history and culture.

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    This vast open park is not only a free-roaming paradise for more than a thousand wild Nara deer, but is also surrounded by many world-class historical sites. As you stroll along the lush approach, you can encounter the clever deer at any moment. Buy a pack of special deer crackers, and you'll instantly become the most popular person around. Watching them politely bow while also seeming a little impatient as you feed them is truly both adorable and amusing.

    Besides interacting with the deer, the area around the park is home to the magnificent Todaiji Temple, with its enormous Great Buddha, the mysterious Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and scenic Sarusawa Pond. Whether you're walking along stone lantern paths beneath towering ancient trees or sitting on the grass enjoying the sunshine, every corner is rich in culture and nature.

    I highly recommend setting aside half a day to a full day for Nara Park when visiting Kansai. Whether you plan a relaxing walk or fully enjoy interacting with the deer, it will definitely leave you with soothing and wonderful memories of your trip!

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    The deer in Nara Park are just so adorable! As soon as you enter the park, you can see spotted deer leisurely strolling around, resting on the ground, and even confidently weaving through the crowds without being shy at all. There is a long-standing legend in Japan that deer are messengers sent by the gods to the human world. In Nara especially, deer are considered sacred, so they have always been respected and protected.

    Of course, you can't miss feeding the deer while you're here. Vendors all around the park sell “deer crackers,” which are made especially for the deer, mainly from grains like rice bran and wheat flour, and have almost no flavor. But to the deer, they're a real treat! As soon as you have some crackers in your hand, several deer will come right over, and before you know it, you'll be surrounded.

    When feeding them, don't chase after the deer. Stay calm and feed them slowly, one cracker at a time. When they're gone, remember to hold out both hands to let the deer know you have no more. It's best to hold the crackers up high; otherwise, when the deer get excited, your hands can easily end up covered in drool, and your clothes may not escape either. They may even give you a few little nips. It's really both adorable and awkward! The most interesting thing is that the deer bow. Bow to them, and they'll bow back〜

    But animals are still wild, after all. If you're visiting with children, remember not to let them get too close, so they don't get hurt and everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time.

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    At Nara Park, what I looked forward to most was getting up close with the adorable deer! As soon as I took out the deer crackers, they immediately gathered around and kept nodding and bowing for food. They were so cute.

    At first, I thought the deer were very gentle, but once they saw the crackers, they became incredibly eager. The crackers in my hand were gone in no time. Watching them eat and walk along with us was really fun and soothing.

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Details

Name in Japanese
奈良公園
Postal Code
630-0000
Address
Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Tel
0742-22-0375 (Nara Park Office)
Admission
Free
*Please refer to the official website for information on admission fees for each facility.
Regular Closures
None
*Please check the official website for the regular closing days of each facility.
Access
About 5 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa