Nara Park & deer
Nara · Nature & Scenery
30–90 min
🚶 5 5 min walk from Kintetsu Nara Station
¥¥
Insider Tip
Bow to the deer before offering shika senbei (¥200) — many will bow back. Keep food hidden or they'll mob you.
JEMS Tip
JEMS provides deer interaction etiquette, the best feeding spots, and a walking route connecting the park with Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha.
About
Over 1,200 wild sika deer roam freely through Nara Park, bowing for shika senbei (deer crackers). These deer are considered divine messengers in Shinto tradition and have been protected for over a thousand years.
Crowd Avoidance
Visit before 9am when the deer are calm and the park is peaceful. The area around Todai-ji gets crowded by 10am.
Getting There
Kintetsu Nara Station — 5-minute walk east to the park entrance. Or JR Nara Station — 20-minute walk or bus.