Are There Really Deer Everywhere In Nara Park?

Nara (奈良) is the location of Heijyō-kyō（平城京), the ancient capital of Japan. A number of temples, shrines and other cultural heritage spots can be found within walking distance of one another here; with each year that passes more and more visitors come to see this city of historical landmarks.

At the heart of Nara is Nara Park (奈良公園), which includes Kōfuku-ji (興福寺), Kasuga Taisha (春日大社), and the Nara National Museum (奈良国立博物館). This park is famous for its spaciousness and perhaps moreso for its deer.

Where are the Deer?

“They are in cages, aren’t they?” Here is the sight that greets you as you enter the park.

Getting a little closer…

“Deer Crossing.”

“Really?” Don’t worry, soon you will see something moving among the trees and hear faint crunches from the fallen leaves. Yes indeed, there are wild deer living freely in the park.

Playing with the Deer

They may be quietly resting among the trees…

or grazing on the grass…

walking in the temple, or observing the visitors…

Some come to see how the shops are doing. Just by coming to this park, you can see the way they act, what sounds they make and get to know more about their expressions and patterns of the fur.

Although the deer are very good-tempered, please do not tease them, ride on them, or give them any food other than deer sweets.

Why are the Deer There?

Around 710 A.D. when the capital was set in Nara, the ruler at the time moved the God (who is supposed to be living in a temple) from Kashima-jingu (鹿島神宮) in Ibaraki prefecture to Kasugayama, Nara. It is said that the God came to Nara riding on a deer’s back. Since then, deer were treasured as the messenger of this God. As they are sacred animals, they have been protected since ancient times. In the Muromachi era, (around 1473 A.D.), one who killed a deer was sentenced to death whether or not it was an accident.

As of now there are about 1200 deer living in Nara Park with the protection of the government.
You can also purchase the deer senbei (鹿せんべい) or rice crackers sold at shops and freely interact with them.

Recently some of the deer have been seen to bow when someone gives them a deer senbei, making these deer even more popular, especially on the Internet.

If you have a chance to go to Nara, why not see these friendly and sweet deer?

Information

Nara Park

Address: Nara, Zoshicho 469
Hours: Open all day
Closed: –
Wi-Fi: –
Station: Nara Station (奈良駅) Kintetsu line
Access: 2nd route of Nara Kotsu Bus line leaving from Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station, to “Himuro temple/National Museum”, “Daibutsu-den Kasuga-taisha mae” or　”Kasuga-taisha Honden” (氷室神社/国立博物館, 大仏殿春日大社前, or 春日大社本殿)
Phone: 0742-22-0375
Homepage: Nara Park (Japanese only)